Kendo Etiquette

Kendo has many established customs and traditions that may take some time to get used to.

You will likely make mistakes at first, and that's ok! Part of learning kendo is learning about how the etiquette and culture meld with the sport.

At SDKB, instructors teach on a voluntary basis. All costs goes towards supporting the facility so that we have a practice space. As such, we ask that you observe basic rules in the dojo.

The basic etiquette is known as reigi, and while different martial arts may have different protocols, the idea of reigi is universal.

Here's a primer on our standard for "rei-ho" or etiquette at San Diego Kendo Bu. The most important thing is to always be humble and respectful. Accept criticism willingly and be open to learning.The rest will come with practice and experience.

Always be mindful of the club's existing hierarchy, which is based on seniority and rank. Senpai are the members that are senior to you. Sensei refer to the instructors who are 4-Dan and above.

If you have any questions, about kendo etiquette or just in general, please don't hesitate to ask one of your sensei or senpai!

From the SCKF 1996 AUSKF Team Commemorative Booklet

"Etiquette is an extremely important part of Kendo. The basic rules come from the formal, highly stylised social system of Japan. Simply stated, Kendo etiquette is based on respect -- for one's Sensei, seniors, equipment, etc.

In practice, it is not that simple. There is a prescribed method for virtually every action, and failure to adhere to proper behavior may be taken as a sign of poor instruction or, in some cases, as a severe insult. It is essential to know basic etiquette in Kendo."

Below are some of the basics:

General Dojo Rules:

  1. Arrive early to practice so you can get dressed and ready. On-time is late!
  2. Greet everyone in the dojo eagerly when you come to practice, especially all sensei. Do this also when leaving practice. This is called "ai-satsu".
  3. Take your shoes off before entering the dojo and when stepping out of the dojo
  4. Stop and bow before entering and exiting the dojo
  5. Never deliver traditional courtesies in a casual or off-hand manner.
  6. Always address the sensei by their title, "Sensei" after their last name.
  7. Avoid walking in front of Sensei, or in front of Kenshi seated in the seiza position. If you need to walk in front of another player, move your arm out in front at a 45 degree angle and bow slightly while passing.
  8. Be aware of junior members and take care of them.
  9. Always sit or stand properly when in the dojo. Do not slouch or lean against anything. Particularly,do not lean on your shinai. Do not crawl to adjust your position when in seiza, or sonkyo; instead, stand up and move.

Rei (giving thanks and showing respect)

Bowing In
  1. Bow 15 degrees
  2. Bringing shinai up to waist, with thumb on tsuba, take 3 steps in.
  3. "Sonkyo" (squatting bow) with back straight and no jumping/hopping to correct distance.
  4. Take out shinai
  5. Stand and move into "chudan no kamae" or "en garde" position
Bowing Out
  1. From chudan no kamae position, sonkyo and put shinai away.
  2. Take five steps back as when bowing in.
  3. Once 5 steps away, bring shinai back down to waist
  4. Bow 15 degrees
Vocabulary
  1. When bowing in at beginning of practice, say "onegaishimasu" ("if you please").
  2. When bowing out, always say domo arigato gozaimashita ("thank you very much")
Seiretsu (lineup) & Seiza (kneeling)
  1. Lineup according to rank (senior to junior from left to right, facing sensei). Move quickly to line up.
  2. When kneeling, left knee goes down first then right knee.
  3. Do not use your hands to assist in raising or lowering yourself.
  4. Don't forget the domino-effect: wait for the person immediately to the left to kneel first before kneeling.
  5. Gently (silently) lay down shinai. Shinai binding cord facing down or away from body.
  6. Keep back straight when sitting in seiza.
  7. Line up tsuba, knees and kote/men (if applicable) to the person immediately to your left.
During Practice...
  1. Follow instructions from sensei and senpai as quickly and accurately as possible. (Don't walk, run!)
  2. Don't lean against the wall, or sit down unless instructed to by sensei or senpai.
  3. Always be ready and show respect and appreciation.
  4. Always bow and sonkyo before taiso and practice, even if one arrives late.
  5. Remove all jewelry/accessories before stepping into dojo.
  6. Make sure club uniform (keikogi & hakama) are worn properly.
  7. Avoid individual breaks unless absolutely necessary. Frequent individual breaks are disruptive for other students.
  8. If you arrive late, quickly get into uniform and bow to the sensei, asking permission to join practice.
  9. Do not leave a sensei or senpai's line empty
  10. Practice diligently and enthusiastically, showing your best effort, kiai, and zanshin at all times.
Wearing Apparel and Equipment
  1. Practice wearing bogu until you can put the whole set on in less than 3 minutes (you should be able to put it on faster than your senpai!)
  2. Always sit in seiza when putting on or fixing your bogu.
  3. Do your best to put on your bogu properly so you do not have to fix it during practice.
  4. Do not take off your men during practice unless it is absolutely necessary.
  5. Ensure that all of your bogu is worn in a neat and proper fashion.
  6. Always handle your apparel and bogu respectfully. Make sure they are packed neatly, without dangling strings or straps.
  7. Avoid stepping over Shinai and Bogu when it is lying on the ground e.g. during Seiza etc. Walk around instead if possible.
  8. Wear your keikogi and hakama neatly. Make sure the keikogi is smooth, not bulging, in the front and back. When putting on the hakama, put your left leg in first; when removing the hakama, remove your right left first.
Treating Shinai with Respect
  1. Always treat the shinai with respect and care, just as if it was a real sword. The side opposite the tsuru (binding cord) represents the cutting edge.
  2. Always handle your shinai respectfully. Do not lean on it, rest it on the floor, twirl it, or drag it. Make sure it is well maintained, free of splinters and with tightened tsuru (string) and nakayui (leather strap).
Never do the following:
  1. Lean on shinai.
  2. Hold shinai over one’s shoulder.
  3. Step or jump over shinai and bogu.
Shinai Notes
  1. When resting shinai against the wall: flip shinai upside-down so that the handle-side is on the floor.
  2. When picking up shinai or equipment: bend to one knee to pick up your shinai; pick up your other equipment while sitting in seiza

Additional Notes

  1. Do not speak when sensei is giving instructions.
  2. Keep idle conversations to a minimum.
  3. Respond/reply to instructions ("hai").
  4. Use proper honorifics (address sensei simply as "sensei").
  5. Always bow and give thanks when given advice or instructions by sensei or senpai.
  6. Bow slightly when walking across in front of members in seiza (it is best if possible to walk behind members seated in seiza).