Glossary for Kumdo

Protective gear in kendo made of four parts: the men helmet, kote gloves, do chest protector and tare hip guard. Valid strikes target three of them.

Equipment and training aids Japan

Wide pleated trousers with seven pleats, worn in kendo, iaido, aikido, kyudo and other Japanese arts.

Clothing Japan

The highest score in Japanese martial arts competitions, “one full point”. In judo it ends the match, in kendo it is the basic unit of scoring.

Competition, rules and scoring Japan

Wrist and forearm. In kendo both a valid target and the name of the gloves of the bogu gear, in aikido and jujutsu an area of locks such as kote-gaeshi.

Anatomy, target levels and striking surfaces Japan

The guard of a Japanese sword between the blade and the grip. It protects the hand and balances the sword. Decorated tsuba are a collectible art in their own right.

Equipment and training aids Japan

The grip of a Japanese sword. On a katana it is covered with ray skin and wrapped in a cord that improves the hold. The practice sword shinai has a grip too.

Equipment and training aids Japan

Repeated practice of entering a throw without completing it, a basic training method of judo. In kendo the same term denotes practice of strikes.

Training method Japan

Korean command meaning “attention”. The student stands upright with heels together and arms along the body. In taekwondo it usually precedes the bow.

Command and signal South Korea

A master grade in Japanese and Korean martial arts, usually with a black belt. First awarded in 1883 by Kano Jigoro in judo.

Title and rank Japan

Training uniform in Korean martial arts, mainly in taekwondo. The Korean counterpart of the Japanese keikogi, written with the same characters 道服.

Clothing South Korea

Training hall of Korean martial arts, mainly taekwondo and hapkido. Written with the same characters as the Japanese dojo (道場).

Place and space South Korea

Korean command meaning “salute” or “bow”. In taekwondo it follows the command charyeot at the start and end of training, a match and an exercise.

Command and signal South Korea

Korean term for sets of techniques, the counterpart of the Japanese kata. WT taekwondo calls them poomsae, ITF taekwondo teul, older and other arts hyeong.

Classification of techniques, arts and schools South Korea

Combat shout in Korean arts, the counterpart of the Japanese kiai with the same characters (氣合). It tightens the body during a strike and focuses power.

Etiquette and ceremony South Korea

Korean martial arts school, literally “hall”. Taekwondo emerged from the first kwans after 1945. The head of a school is called a kwanjang.

Classification of techniques, arts and schools South Korea

A student grade before the master dan grades. It is counted downward, from a high number to first kyu, and in Korean is called gup.

Title and rank Japan

Korean title of a martial arts instructor. Politely addressed as sabeomnim. Written with the same characters as the Japanese shihan.

Title and rank South Korea