Kendo test online

The kendo test is a free online knowledge check for everyone who practises kendo or is only planning to start. The bank has 149 questions, and each time you start you get 30 random ones. You have 5 minutes for the answers, so it is not only about knowing but also about recalling quickly. If time runs out, the answers given so far are counted.

Question topics

• Etiquette and terms. Rei, bowing, conduct in the dojo, commands in keiko and the Japanese names of techniques.
• Equipment. The parts of the armour (bogu), the shinai and bokuto, caring for your clothing and equipment.
• Rules and refereeing. How a strike is awarded, what counts as a foul, how the referees conduct a shiai.
• Kata. Nihon Kendo Kata: the roles of uchidachi and shidachi, the order and meaning of the forms.
• Gradings. Requirements for kyu and dan examinations, including Bokuto ni yoru kendo kihon-waza keiko-ho (Bokuto Kihon).
• History and technique. The origins of kendo and the basics of technique.

The questions are basic, intermediate and hard. A beginner will confidently answer the basic ones, while the hard ones are meant for experienced kendoka preparing for gradings or refereeing.

The questions were written for the Russian version of the test, so a few of them are about kendo in Russia, and in places the English wording is our own translation of the FIK and AJKF rules.

How to take the test

Press “Start the test” and answer the questions one at a time, keeping an eye on the timer. There are no hints along the way, but you can go back to the previous question with the “Back” button and change your answer. At the end you will see your result, the correct answers, a breakdown by topic and your level, from first steps to deep knowledge of the rules, kata and grading requirements.

The best results of the month go into the rating: enter a nick and a nick code (no names or contacts) and compare yourself with club members and other visitors. The rating is shared with the Russian version of the test. You can take the test as many times as you like, and every time the set of questions will be new. It is easy to share your result with friends straight from the results screen.

How to prepare

If you are just starting, have a look at the Beginners section: it has the kendo basics, a guide to the armour and a glossary with romaji. Many answers become clear after a few sessions, once the sensei’s commands sound familiar. You can also practise the movements at home with the suburi trainer: your phone camera counts shomen, joge, matawari and fumikomi suburi.

The best way to understand kendo is to come to keiko. At Hebikan your first session is free: sign up and come to the dojo near Kozhukhovskaya metro station.