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Glossary
| budo | ... |
| chiburi | Essentially a "flick" of the sword. Originally a cleaning action. |
| densho | Special certificates of proficiency. |
| gunto soho | Military sword methods. |
| iato | ... |
| Kaishaku. | A beheading coup de grace delivered by sword. When performed as part of ritualistic suicide (seppuku / harakiri), it was often performed by a close friend or relative. |
| kami | Spirit, essence. |
| Katsu-jin Ken | The life-giving sword, weilded in honor. |
| iato or iado | A sword for iai. Described in Iai Sword Suitability Standard for Practical Use and Testcutting. |
| kazari-to | A decoration sword. Not made, nor should be used for martial arts training. |
| koryu | Ancient traditional iado. |
| makiwara | Rolled straw. Makiwara are targest for testcutting (in karate, makiwara are the punching boards, so called because the impact area used to be made of straw to absorb the punch.) The are usually are made of rice stalks bunched together or (more commonly today) straw matting taken from the top of a tatami mat. Tatami mats are the portable 6'x3'x3' flooring mats used to line a floor in Japanese rooms (not the entire house). Makiwara |
| Nakamura Taizaburo | As the founder, sousha of Nakamura Ryu, he is the Shodai Soke (initial soke). Alternate terms in Japanese are Ryuso (Founder of the ryu), and Kaiso (literally "opening founder," this term is the same as "founder"). |
| sandan | Third degree black belt. The highest promotion possible through testing at Kenshinkan Dojo. |
| Satsu-jin Ken | Murdering sword. Indiscriminately killing a helpless person. |
|
sensei or Sensei | Literally, previous born. The implication of the term is that one who is older is more knowledgeable. The noun sensei means teacher in English, but has a much deeper meaning and is more honored in Japan, Korea, and China. A sensei is not necessarily a martial arts teacher; as a matter of fact, that is one of its minor uses. Generally sensei is a kingergarten teacher, grade school teacher, high school teacher, college professor, doctor, lawyer, phsyciatrist, and politician. Additionally, if you are not sure of a person's station in life and he or she is much older, you could address him or her as sensei. Even if not a traditional sensei, that person will be pleased to be thus called. |
| shodan | First degree black belt. The highest level for which Kenshinkan Dojo may issue certification. Students promoted to shodan and above shall have certification issued from Japan. |
| shugyo | Spiritual training consisting of severities along the way. |
| soke | Head of family. Nakamura Taizaburo is the Shodai Soke (initial soke) of Nakamura Ryu. |
| tameshigiri | Test cutting. Used to judge student's understanding of grip, distance, timing, and blade trajectory. Described in On Tameshigiri |
| Toyama Ryu | Designed strictly for military use, this style has transcended its original intent. |
| waza |