The regulations prescribed by kendo authorities are carefully followed in the social and official life the kendoka. As a rule, each of these customs has been handed down from ancient times and is continued as a part of kendo. The following rules of etiquette are observed wherever kendo is taught. These rules are based on simple common sense and good manners in the dojo.

1. Bow upon entering or leaving a dojo in greeting and farewell to those present.
2. Remove your shoes before stepping on the dojo floor.
3. Bow to your partner at the start and finish of each practice, allowing the senior grade to bow first
4. Do not smoke in the dojo unless invited to do so.
5. Do not wear a hat in the dojo.
6. Switch off all mobile phones before practice.
7. When kenshi are wearing bogu (fencing equipment) and are in a sitting on the dojo floor, it is customary to walk behind them. If this cannot be done, extend your right hand and bow slightly as you pass.
8. Never step over another kendoka’s shinai or trip over equipment.
9. Do not touch the bogu of another kendoka without permission.
10. Bow or greet the head teacher first when you enter or leave a class.
11. Generally, beginners and kendoka of lower rank should sit opposite and facing yudansha (higher ranked grades) or to their left.
12. During practice, beginners and lower grades should line up facing yudansha.
13. Students should stand in the practice area and wait for the teachers instructions.
14. If a piece of equipment becomes loose or untied, raise your hand and ask to stop practice and remedy the situation while your partner waits. Bow to your partner and resume practice.
15. Always try to be early for practices and warm up whilst waiting for practice to commence. If you are late, get your gear on quickly and perform a kneeling bow to the teacher and wait to be invited to join in the practice.
16. Never turn up for a practice intoxicated with anything other than "high spirits"

Supplementary Rules

1. Pay attention at all times and do not talk whilst the teacher is talking
2. Do not chew gum, refrain from yawning and being disrespectful to your teacher
3. Always obey the instructor's commands immediately.
4. Treat every shinai and bokken as if it were a real sword.
5. Concentrate on what you are supposed to be doing and not what you would like to be doing.
6. Do not engage in horseplay as injuries may result.
7. Do not disrupt the class. Ensure that your equipment is put on correctly and that it will not become untied, check your shinai for splinters. Once your men is tied, it should remain in place until you are told to remove it. Only remove it when absolutely necessary and then only after getting permission from the teacher.

An additional note

Please try to turn up for every practice and inform your teacher if you will be unable to make a practice. You would not be amused if you turned up to a practice and found that the instructors "could not be bothered to appear". They have made a commitment to teach you, you should make a commitment to attend!

Modified from "This is Kendo" Sasamori & Warner, Tuttle Press, 1964