Anatomy of the Bokken

Kissaki (Kees-sah-kee)
This is the point or tip of the blade.
Mune (Muu-neh)
This is the spine or the back of the blade
Tsuba (Tsoo-bah)
This is the hand guard of the weapon (not all Bokken have these)
Tsuka (Tsoo-kah)
This is the handle of the weapon
Ha (Haw)
This is the cutting edge of the weapon
Monouchi (Moono Ooh Chee)
This is the striking zone of the weapon which is 4 or 5 inches below the point

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Guard (Stances)

Chudan-no-kamae (Choo-dhahn-no-kuh-mah-ey)
Middle Guard
Standing in migi (right) or hidari (left) hanmi (stance) with the bokken in both hands directly in front and on the centerline of the body. Weight is centered evenly over both feet and both hands are near the level of your navel. The left hand is on the butt end of the bokken about one fist width away from your body. The blade is tilted slightly to the right to take advantage of the natural curvature of the blade. The kissaki is pointed at your opponent's throat and you are looking directly to the front.
Jodan-no-kamae (Joe-dahn-no-kuh-mah-ey)
High Guard
Standing in migi (right) or hidari (left) hanmi (stance) and raise your arms until your left hand is in front of your forehead. Your hands are above your eyes and your elbows are out to afford vision to the front. The kissaki is directly above your head to protect those behind you. Your weight is slightly forward.
Gedan-no-kamae (Gay-dahn-noh-kuh-mah-ey)
Low Guard
Standing in migi (right) or hidari (left) hanmi (stance) with the bokken in both hands directly in front and on the centerline of the body. Weight is centered evenly over both feet and both hands are near the level of your navel. The left hand is on the butt end of the bokken about one fist width away from your body. The blade is tilted slightly to the front foot to take advantage of the natural curvature of the blade. The kissaki is lower than in chudan-no-kamae, but is ready to be raised it at any time. This provides an opening for your opponent to attack. Be ready to step off the line of attack by keeping your weight evenly distributed on both feet.
Hasso-no-kamae (hah-soh-noh-kuh-mah-ey)
Shoulder Guard
Standing in migi (right) or hidari (left) hanmi (stance), eyes to the front, weight evenly distributed. The bokken is raised vertically, pointing upwards, with the hands at the levels of your chest and on the shoulder of the rear foot. The tsubo is at the level of your mouth.
Waki-no-kamae (Waah-keeh-noh-kuh-mah-ey)
Side Guard
Standing in migi (right) or hidari (left) hanmi (stance) bokken lowered at the hip level perpendicular to the floor on the side of the rear foot.

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Attacks

Shomen-uchi
​Front of head strike

1. Starting in migi-hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while at the same time stepping back with the right foot into the hidari-hanmi (left foot forward stance). 
3. To execute the shomen-uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot steps forward slicing downwards until the Bokken is parallel with the ground back into the starting position of migi-hanmi (right foot forward stance).

Yokomen-uchi
Side of head strike

1. Starting in migi-hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while at the same time stepping back with the right foot into the hidari-hanmi (left foot forward stance). 
3. To execute the yokomen-uchi (overhead strike to side head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot steps forward slicing downwards until the Bokken is parallel with the ground back into the starting position of migi-hanmi (right foot forward stance).​

Jodan-tsuki
High level thrust with step

1. Starting in migi-hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. To execute the jōdan-tsuki (high level strike), step the left foot forward and rotate the tip of the bokken clockwise till the blade faces your open side, being sure to bring the right foot forward slightly to maintain a balanced hidari-hanmi (left foot forward stance).

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Kata

13 Tachi waza bokken kata demonstration with discussion

13 Tachi waza bokken kata demonstration

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Suburi

The Bokken Suburi  (practice swings) is a group of exercises that are used to help an individual hone their Bokken skills used in kata (choreographed movements) or kumi-tachi (partnered choreographed movements).  

​ First Suburi - Shomen Uchi
(Overhead strike to head)

1. Starting in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while at the same time drawing back the right foot to be just in front of the left foot.
3. To execute the shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot slides forward slicing downwards until the Bokken is parallel with the ground back into the starting position of migi hanmi (right foot forward stance).

Second Suburi - Shomen Uchi Komi
(Overhead strike to head while stepping forward)

1. Starting in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while at the same time stepping back with the right foot into the hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance). 
3. To execute the shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards
4. Finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot slides forward slicing downwards until the Bokken is parallel with the ground back into the starting position of migi hanmi (right foot forward stance).

Third Suburi - Waki-no-Kamae
(Side guard position)

1. Starting in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position) so the tip of the Bokken rises sharply, till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while at the same time drawing back the right foot backwards to align with the left foot.
3. Next draw the right foot backwards into hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance) while bringing the Bokken into waki-no-kamae (side guard position).  The Bokken should be parallel to the ground with the back of the right hand resting on your hip and the point of the Bokken pointing directly behind you.
4. To prepare for the shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position) from the waki-no-kamae (side guard position), by curling your arms at your elbow much like you would to carry a heavy bag over your shoulder, till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while remiaining in hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance).
5. To execute the shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards
6. Finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot steps forward back to the starting position of migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).

Fourth Suburi - Renzoku Shomen Uchi Komi
(Consecutive overhead strike to head while stepping forward)

1. Starting in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while at the same time drawing back the right foot to be just in front of the left foot.  The tip of the Bokken should point to your lower back, as this will help to facilitate a slicing motion.
3. To execute the shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards
4. Finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot slides forward back to the starting position of migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
5. Now in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position) with the Bokken.
6. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position) so the tip of the Bokken rises sharply, till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, and the tip of the Bokken should point to your lower back, this will help to facilitate a slicing motion.
7. To execute the next shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the left hip slightly forward as the left foot steps forward to the  hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance) position with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
8. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position) so the tip of the Bokken rises sharply, till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, and the tip of the Bokken should point to your lower back, this will help to facilitate a slicing motion.
9. To execute the next shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot steps forward back to the starting position of migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
10. Repeat the steps 5 through 8 above alternating between migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) and hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance) as instructed.

Fifth Suburi - Renzoku Nagare Shomen Uchi Komi
(Overhead strike to head with a flowing side block)

1. Starting in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. To begin the flowing slide block, bring the rear hand (left) towards your forehead while dropping the tip of the bokken towards the heel of your forward foot (right)
3. Continue the circular motion raising the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine.  The tip of the Bokken should point to your lower back, as this will help to facilitate a slicing motion.
4. To execute the shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the left hip slightly forward as the left foot steps forward to the  hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance) position with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
5. For the next flowing slide block, bring the front hand (right) towards your forehead while dropping the tip of the bokken towards the heel of your forward foot (left).
6. Continue the circular motion raising the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine.  The tip of the Bokken should point to your lower back, as this will help to facilitate a slicing motion.
7. To execute the next shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot steps forward to the  migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) position with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
8. Repeat the steps 1 through 7 above alternating between migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) and hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance) as instructed.

Sixth Suburi - Shomen Uchi Tsuki
(Overhead strike to head while stepping forward and thrusting sword forward)

1. Starting in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while at the same time drawing back the right foot to be just in front of the left foot.  The tip of the Bokken should point to your lower back, as this will help to facilitate a slicing motion.
3. To execute the shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot slides forward back to the starting position of migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
4. Next for the tsuki (strike), while in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance), slide the right foot forward and rotate the tip of the bokken clockwise till the blade faces your open side, being sure to bring the left foot forward slightly to maintain a balanced migi hanmi (right foot forward stance).

Seventh Suburi - Migi Shomen Uchi Hidari Tsuki
(Overhead strike to head while stepping forward with the right foot, then stepping forward with left foot, and thrusting sword forward)

1. Starting in migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
2. Raise the Bokken to the jōdan-no-kamae (upper position), till the right hand is directly over the head aligned with your spine, while at the same time drawing back the right foot to be just in front of the left foot.  The tip of the Bokken should point to your lower back, as this will help to facilitate a slicing motion.
3. To execute the shomen uchi (overhead strike to head) attack, bring the forearms and elbows close together in front of the head, making sure the shoulders are down then pull the elbows and hands down in a casting motion to bring the Bokken downwards finishing with the Bokken parallel to the ground, and making sure to turn the right hip slightly forward as the right foot slides forward back to the starting position of migi hanmi (right foot forward stance) with the Bokken in chūdan-no-kamae (middle position).
4. Next for the tsuki (strike), step forward with the left foot to hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance)while rotating the tip of the bokken counterclockwise till the blade faces your open side,being sure to bring the left foot forward slightly to maintain a balanced hidari hanmi (left foot forward stance).