Sword testing Swords were tested by highly specialised professional testers. The sword would be fitted into a special mounting and test cuts made on bodies, bundles of straw, armour, sheets of metal, etc. Sometimes, appraisal marks of a sword testing inscribed on the tangs of old blades are found.

Footwork Different methods of moving are used in different schools. Yin-Yang, or "In-Yo" in Japanese, is female-male, dark-light, right-left. Musashi advocates this "level mind" kind of walking, although he is emphatic about the significance of these parameters - issues of right and left foot arise in the Wind book of Go Rin No Sho. Old Jujitsu schools advocate making the first attack with the left side forward.

The Way of the Long Sword The Way as a way of life, and as the natural path of a sword blade. There is a natural movement of the sword associated with a natural behavior according to Kendo ethics.

Folding fan An item carried by men and women in the hot summer months. Armoured officers sometimes carried an iron war fan.

The Five Approaches Who can understand Musashi's methods? It is necessary to study traditional schools and basic cutting practice. Bear in mind that fighting technique may start from a greater distance than it seems to at first glance. It is said that the man who has faced death at the point of a sword has an elevated understanding.

No Design, No Conception "Munen Muso" - this means the ability to act calmly and naturally even in the face of danger. It is the highest accord with existance, when a man's word and his actions are spontaneously the same.

Red Leaves Cut Presumably Musashi is alluding here to falling, dying leaves.

Chinese Monkey's Body A Chinese monkey here means a short-armed monkey.

Glue and Lacquer emulsion The lacquer work which takes its name from Japan, used to coat furniture and home utensils, architecture, weapons and armour.

There are many enemies Musashi is held to be the inventor of the Two Sword style. His school is sometimes called "Nito Ryu" (two sword school) and sometimes "Niten Ryu" (two heavens school). He writes that the use of two swords is for when there are many enemies, but people practise a style of fencing with a sword in each hand to give practical advantage in fencing. Musashi used the words "two swords" when meaning to use all one's resources in combat. He never used two swords when up against a skilled swordsman.

Oral tradition Other Kendo schools also have oral traditions as opposed to teachings passed on in formal technique.

One cut Whatever this means, it is worthwhile to note the "Hitotsu Gachi" (One Victory), the Kiri Otoshi technique of the Itto Ryu school, where one cut provides attack and defence, cutting down the enemy's sword and spirit, and the related "Itchi no Tachi" (Long Sword of One) of the Shinto style.