Techniques / Waza

This section will list a whole host of techniques used in kendo. It is not an exclusive list, which is one of the great aspects of Kendo, there is always something new to learn.

(Paul says : I'm going to try and get some video footage made up of each waza and link them to this page.. until then I hope whats here will do :-) )

Offensive Waza

You initiate the attack and succeed.

Ippon-Uchi (one strike)Waza

To strike first with ki-ken-tai-no-itchi and without thought.

  • Men-uchi
  • Kote-uchi
  • Do-uchi
  • Tsuki-uchi

Harai waza

To create an opening to attack your opponent, by deflecting thier shinai left or right and breaking thier posture. Followed by a cut to a target area.  

  • Harai-Men
  • Harai-Kote
  • Harai-Do
  • Harai-Tsuki

 

Nidan (two level) waza

Striking a target, then going for another target immediately after. This can be as a recovery for a missed hit (you go for kote and its blocked so you go straight for men), or as a way of creating an opening. Cause your oponent to open men, by striking for kote, but your real intended target is the men. By striking kote, normally your opponent will react and try to block thus clearing a path through to the men target.

  • Kote -> Men
  • Kote -> Do

  • Men -> Men
  • Men -> Do

  • Tsuki -> Men
  • Tsuki -> Kote

Further reading on Nidan Waza

Sandan (three level) waza

As Nidan Waza but with tenacity, going for the third strike.

  • Kote -> Men -> Do

  • Men -> Men ->Do

Debana waza

To strike at the moment your opponent initiates thier attack. Think Wild-west gunslingers. DRAW!.. you get there first. 

  • Debana-Men
  • Debana-Kote

Further reading on Dabana Waza

Hiki waza

To strike whilst moving away from your opponent. This is commonly used from tsuberzerai, as you break apart you look for an opportunity to strike, and take it as you move away.

  • Hiki-Kote
  • Hiki-Men
  • Hiki-Do

Katsugi waza

A form of feint, where you pull your shinai to your shoulder as if were to balance it there. This (hopefully) causes your opponent to flinch and react, creating an opening. you then hit your target area.

  • Katsugi-Men
  • Katsugi-Kote

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Counterattack waza

Opponent initiates the attack, you finish it.

suriage waza

Your opponent strikes at you. You then interrupt thier strike by a raised deflection to either the right or the left, you then strike at your target. The motion is often described as a half moon shape sweeping off centre then back again after the deflectio to then come down in the centre of your target.

  • Men -> Suriage-Men
  • Men -> Suriage-Kote
  • Kote -> Suriage-Men
  • Kote -> Suriage-Kote
  • Tsuki -> Suriage-Men

Kaeshi waza

Your opponent strikes at you. You then recieve (not block) thier strike and use the force of it to cut them back at the opposing angle. Think of two snooker balls striking each other. The force transferred from one to the other stops the first ball, and allows the second to move.

  • Men -> Kaeshi-Men
  • Men -> Kaeshi-Do
  • Men -> Kaeshi-Kote
  • Kote -> Kaeshi-Men

Uchiotoshi waza

Your opponent strikes you, but just before it connects, you strike thier shinai downwards (this can also be down to the left or right) effectively causing them to miss. This breaks thier posture. Now strike your target area.

  • Men -> Uchiotoshi-Men
  • Do -> Uchiotoshi-Men
  • Kote -> Uchiotoshi-Men
  • Tsuki ->Uchiotoshi-Men

Nuki waza

Your opponent strikes at you.. but waita minute you are not there.. you have evaded the strike by moving out of the way. Now strike your target area.

An excellent example of this is the first of the Nihon kata where shidachi takes a step back, avoids the men cut, then steps forward again to cut men. (men -> nuki-men)

  • Men -> Nuki-Men
  • Men -> Nuki-Do
  • Kote -> Nuki-Men
  • Kote -> Nuki-Kote
  • Men -> Nuki-Kote