San Francisco Kendo Dojo
Kendo, is the art of Japanese fencing. "Ken" or tsurugi is from the character meaning sword.
The character for "Do" or michi includes the meaning way or path which translates as
"The way of the sword".
A path in life which is followed through the training of kendo.
The Practice Schedule:
MONDAYS: 7pm to 9:30pm, at the Gymnasium of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco,
1881 Pine Street, at the corner of Pine and Octavia Streets.
The gym entrance is located on Octavia Street.
THURSDAYS: 7pm to 10pm, at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center’s Gymnasium,
1840 Sutter Street, Between Buchanan and Webster Street.
The San Francisco Kendo dojo practices Kendo and ZNKR Seitei Iaido
The only requirement for beginners is to purchase a shinai, (size 39 for 18 years old and over), and
wear comfortable workout clothing (no jeans or other street clothes). The dojo has some shinai for
$25 at the Monday night location only.
Shinai can also be purchased in Japantown at Soko Hardware, the Mikado or other martial arts stores.
The length for junior high school age is 3.7 and under, for high school age and women it is 3.8 and
3.9 for adults. The hakama and kendo-gi, kendo bogu and shinai bags can be ordered through kendo
suppliers such as Eguchi (www.eguchi.net) or E-bogu (www.e-bogu.com). Please note: before
purchasing bogu, please speak with an instructor to determine if you are an adequate level.
The classes are open to the public, so one can stop by and watch any of the classes.
The Dues:
The dues for person’s 17 years old and under are $80.00 for 6 months.
The fees can be paid for 1 year at $150.00.
For person’s 18 years old and over, the dues are $125.00 for 6 months.
The fees can be paid for 1 year at $225.00
For More Information Please call: David Nakanishi at 510-531-7529 or Tim Purcell at
(415) 386-7154 or email Victor Aguayo at aguayo_v@yahoo.com
You can also visit our web page at: www.sanfranciscokendo.org
For other dojo in Northern California, please visit http://www.nckf.org
Basic Dojo Etiquette —from This is Kendo
1. Whenever a kendoist enters or leaves the dojo, bow in greeting or farewell.
2. A kendoist bows to his partner at the start and finish of each practice.
3. A kendoist does not smoke in a dojo, unless invited to do so.
4. A Kendoist does not wear a hat in the dojo.
5. When kendoist are in a sitting on the dojo floor, it is customary to walk behind of them. If one must walk in
front of a seated kendoist, he should extend his right hand and bow slightly as he passes.
6. A kendoist never steps over or hits a shinai with his feet when it is place to the left of a seated kendoist or
when the kote and men are sitting on the floor.
7. A kendoist never touches the bogu of another kendoist.
8. The kendoist of lower rank will sit to the left of the higher grade holders.
9. It is important to remember that the student always stands at the practice area and waits for practice with the
sensei or higher grade student.
10. When sitting, the shinai is to the left with the tsuba in line with the left knee.
11. A kendoist takes off his shoes before walk on the dojo floor.
12. During practice
• Check the shinai for cracks and splinters.
• When sitting down, do not sit before the person to the right of you sits.
• Do not practice to long with one partner.
• Try to keep one's men on during the entire keiko.
• Do not drink any water during keiko.
• Keep finger nails and toe nails trimmed.
• Do not wear jewelry during keiko.
13. Always have a keiko with a visiting sensei.
14. If one arrives late, quickly change, warm up, bow in and join the keiko.
15. Thank high ranking sensei or visitors.
16. If one has to leave before the final rei, please inform the head sensei
17. Attending keiko at an other dojo:
• Say “hello” to the head sensei and ask permission for keiko.
• It is best to sit at a lower ranking position.
• Practice with the sensei, before one practice with someone from your dojo.
• Thank the head sensei when leaving.
18. It is the custom for beginners and lower ranking students to arrive before the dojo opens to help clean and
setup the dojo.
These customs have been in the dojo for more than one thousand years. It is highly essential to the mental and moral
training of the kendoist, to always respect his opponent. This is part of the Kendo tradition, and it survives to this
day as an aspect of the discipline in a dojo training period. It has become a symbol of sportsmanship, good manners
and a display of humble respect.
Start of Class End of Class
1 chakuza sit down 1 chakuza sit down
2 seiza attention 2 seiza attention
3 mokuso meditation 3 men tore take off the men
4 naore eyes front! 4 mokuso meditation
5 shinden ni rei bow to the shrine 5 naore eyes front!
6 sensei ni rei bow to the teacher 6 sensei ni rei bow to the teacher
7 otagai ni rei bow to each other 7 shinden ni rei bow to the shrine
8 onegai shimasu please practice 8 otagai ni rei bow to each other
9 men tsuke put on the men 9 domo arigato gozaimashita thank you very much
Counting Shinai Parts
1 ichi one kensen tip of the shinai
2 ni two sakigawa leather covering of the kensen
3 san three monouchi the cutting part of a katana blade
4 shi, yon four datotsubu the striking part of the shinai
5 go five nakayui leather boundary of the datotsubu
6 roku six tsuba sword guard
7 shichi, nana seven tsubadome the guard stop
8 hachi eight tsuka hilt
9 ku nine tsukagawa leather covering the hilt
10 ju ten tsuru string holding the leather parts together
Common Words
A aiuchi tie, draw, simultaneous scoring of points
ashi, ayumi normal walking to cover great distances
ashi, fumikomi a jump step for making strikes
ashi, okuri short-range kendo footwork for making strikes
ashi sabaki footwork
B bokuto wooden sword
bogu kendo armor
C chudan no kamae position of the shinai with the shinai's kissaki pointed at the center of an
opponent's chest
D dan black belt rank
datotsu strike
dogu entire kendo equipment
dojo fencing hall
G gedan no kamae position of the shinai when the shinai 's kissaki is pointed towards the floor
gomen excuse me, (gomen nasai, very polite)
H hachimaki towel used as a headband
hai yes, acknowledgment
hajime begin
hansoku violation of a kendo rule
hidari left
himo strings, used in tying on kendo armor
I Iaido sword exercises using a series of cuts and thrusts with drawing and
returning the sword
ippon one point, single blow, one-point match
J jodan no kamae position of the shinai held above the head
K kamae basic kendo shinai positions, on guard positions
kata old-style form of kendo employing steel blades
katana sword, long sword
keiko practice
ki o tsuke attention
kiai shout of self-encouragement or self-assertion
kyu white belt rank
kissaki point of the shinai of sword
M ma ai distance between two kendoist
ma ai, chikai close distance
ma ai, issoku itto no one sword one step distance
ma ai, to far distance
mae front, forward
migi right
mune chest
R rei manor, etiquette, courteous, bow
rei, ritsu standing bow
rei, za setting bow
S sage-to stand with a shinai
seiza sit quietly
sei-retsu line-up
sensei teacher, master
shiai tournament
shinai bamboo sword
shinpan referee
T tachi long sword
taito shinai to the waist
take bamboo
tenugui towel
U uchi to strike, to hit
ushiro back, behind
W waza technique, form in delivering blows
Y yame halt, stop
Z Zen-Nippon Kendo All-Japan Kendo Federation
Renmei
Origin of Kendo
Modern Kendo bears but faint resemblance to Kenjutsu and to its feudal origins of sword wielding samurai
warriors which are today depicted in movies and television. Kendo, literally translated, “the way of the sword,”
cannot be traced to a single founder or given an exact founding date. The story of the rise of modern Kendo begins
with the samurai and extends over the culture of several centuries.
By the end of the 12th century, the authority of the Japanese central government had declined. Bands of
warriors grouped together for protection forming local aristocracies. Feudalism had come of age, and was to
dominate Japan for several centuries. With the establishment of the Shogun in Kamakura and military rule
controlling Japan, a new military class and their lifestyle called Bushido, “the way of the warrior,” gained
prominence. Bushido stressed the virtues of bravery, loyalty, honor, self discipline and stoical acceptance of death.
Certainly, the influence of Bushido extended to modern Japanese society and Kendo was also to be greatly
influenced by this thinking.
The next great advance in the martial arts occurred during the late Muromachi period (1336-1568) often call
the “age of Warring Provinces” because of the many internal conflicts. This period brought an increased demand and
respect for men trained in the martial arts. Although Kenjutsu, “the art of swordsman-ship,” had been recorded since
the 8th century, it gained new prominence and took on religious and cultural aspects as well. Consequently, many
schools of Kenjutsu arose, eventually numbering about 200.
Kendo began to take its modern appearance during the late 18th century with the introduction of protective
equipment: the men, kote and do and the use of the bamboo sword, the shinai. The use of the shinai and protective
armor made possible the full delivery of blows without injury. This forced the establishment of new regulations and
practice formats which set the foundation of modern Kendo.
Although the outward appearance and some of the ideals have changed with the changing needs of the people,
Kendo continues to build character, self-discipline and respect. Despite a sportlike atmosphere, Kendo remains
steeped in tradition which must never be forgotten. For here lies the strength of Kendo which has carried it
throughout history and will carry it far into the future. —Taken from All U.S. Kendo Federation
The Meaning of Kendo, defined by the All Japan Kendo Federation:
The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the
Katana. The purpose of practicing Kendo is to mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit, and through
correct and rigid training, to strive for Improvement in the art of Kendo; to hold in esteem human courtesy and
honor, to associate with others with sincerity, and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus will one be able
to love his country and society, to contribute to the development of culture, and to promote peace and prosperity
among all people.
Kendo; the way (do) of the sword (ken)
Sword techniques have developed differently in the East and in the West. In the West, one-handed, thrust
sword combat (fencing) became the standard method. In Japan, kendo developed around swords, held in both hands
and techniques based on cutting instead of thrusts. The Age of the Warring Provinces (1392-1573) people strove to
master kendo, since skill in sword fighting was essential to self-preservation, and established the relations between
teacher and disciple. During the feudalism of the Tokugawa government in the Edo period (1602-1867), the samurai
laid stress on the spiritual aspects also on the refinement of techniques. Swordsmanship came to include several
moral elements from Confucianism and Buddhism, especially Zen. The way of the sword developed less as a
combat technique than a method for refining both the minds and bodies of the samurai.
The latter half of the eighteenth century saw the evolution of the protective devices called the men, kote and
do. Before the use of these protective devices, the danger of the sword itself made actual thrust and strikes
impossible. With the use of protective armor and the bamboo sword, called the Shinai, contributed to a practice
method in which strikes and thrust can be carried out. This in turn stimulated the number of competitive bouts of
swordsmanship, and exerted an immense influence on the future development of kendo.
Today many young people study kendo to learn the proper courtesies and to refine their techniques. By
learning the distinctive things kendo has to offer, persons can develop their personalities and contribute to the
growth of human society and civilization.
Kendo is now popular throughout the world. In 1970, the International Kendo Federation (IKF) founded with the
aims of promoting kendo development in many countries, to spread international goodwill and friendship. Every
three years, the IKF sponsors the International Kendo Championship.
—From “Fundamental Kendo” by the All Japan Kendo Federation.
Print in block letters
San Francisco Kendo Dojo
Name:
Last First Middle Initial
Kanji:
Address:
Street
City State Zip
Telephone:
Home Work
E-Mail Address:
Birth Date:
Month / Day / Year Age
Citizenship (circle one): USA Green Card Work Visa Student Visa Other: ____________
Kendo History
Date Started M/D/Y 1st dan
7 kyu 2nd dan
6 kyu 3rd dan
5 kyu 4th dan
4 kyu 5th dan
3 kyu 6th dan
2 kyu 7th dan
1 kyu 8th dan
Sho-go (Circle One): Ren-shi Kyo-shi Han-shi
*Iaido Style/Rank if applicable:
Northern California Kendo Federation Release Form
Release
I, the undersigned, hereby release the Northern California Kendo Federation, its officers, all instructors
of Kendo (Japanese fencing), and fellow students of Kendo, as well as owners, corporation, and such
bodies providing, dojo(s) (fencing space), practice areas, tournament or demonstration space, including
open space, and/or structures from all responsibility and liability for any and all injuries or damages to
body or property that might occur during a practice, tournament, demonstration, or while on such above
named properties for any purpose related to Kendo, including seminars, business meeting, social gathering,
and assembling before or after matters relation to Kendo.
Name:
(print in block letters)
Signature:
Date:
Persons under eighteen (18) years of age require the consent of a parent or guardian.
Signature: