Er...yelling...

[Machismo111]

Im not sure what it's called, but maybe Kii? I'm very new to Kendo, so please excuse my ignorance. I've watched a couple practice sessions at the Sacramento Dojo where I hope to be joining soon and towards the end when the more skilled Kendoists go at it, sometimes they'll yell for seemingly no reason at all. Just when they're standing there, ready to defend or strike, one will yell, and the other usually yells in reply. Is this some kind of dueling etticute to taunt the other into attacking or something?

[xvikingx]

I am not going to get into it because I don't know enough to teach you about kiai (the yelling that you described), but there is a lot to it.
NorCal; great place to train! Pleanty of quality dojos from what I have heard. Good luck and have fun!

[liuzg]

Im not sure what it's called, but maybe Kii? I'm very new to Kendo, so please excuse my ignorance. I've watched a couple practice sessions at the Sacramento Dojo where I hope to be joining soon and towards the end when the more skilled Kendoists go at it, sometimes they'll yell for seemingly no reason at all. Just when they're standing there, ready to defend or strike, one will yell, and the other usually yells in reply. Is this some kind of dueling etticute to taunt the other into attacking or something?
Kiai is the expression of ur spirit,particularly ur fighting spirit.....Also it seems to me that it helps to summon ur strength beneath~~~~
Regarding "Just when they're standing there, ready to defend or strike, one will yell, and the other usually yells in reply.",it is a fight of the spirit,from what i had heard from a senior who once went to japan,he said that he met one old kendoka who could kiai so well until he lost the will and courage to fight back~~~~~~

[Machismo111]

Kiai is the expression of ur spirit,particularly ur fighting spirit.....Also it seems to me that it helps to summon ur strength beneath~~~~
Regarding "Just when they're standing there, ready to defend or strike, one will yell, and the other usually yells in reply.",it is a fight of the spirit,from what i had heard from a senior who once went to japan,he said that he met one old kendoka who could kiai so well until he lost the will and courage to fight back~~~~~~

I see...Is there anything they will yell in particular? Or just syllables to express their spirit? In practice several students seem to yell the attack they're performing, I'm not sure if this is neccessary, or just common practice?

[Machismo111]

Ya know what, I apologize everyone <bows> I didn't notice there are several other threads on this same subject. I hate doing that :( My apologies once again, next time I'll look before posting =)

[xvikingx]

No worries. It's nice to know you actually read whats on the forum.
For quick answer to one of your questions: It is necessary to call out your target when you strike.