The essentials
Hold Guard to stop incoming strikes. When you see an opening, release Guard and tap the opponent's head (Men), wrist (Kote), or either side of the torso (Dō). Get back to guard after your attack.
How do I win a match?
First to two points wins. Regulation is three minutes of active play. The clock stops after each point while the kendoka reset, then continues when the referee restarts the match. It does not reset to three minutes. If one player is ahead when time expires, that player wins. If the score is tied, the next point wins in unlimited overtime.
Why do targets appear and disappear?
Targets are shown only when an area is open, with Opening hints enabled. Watch the shinai and arms to learn the tells. You can switch Opening hints on or off in Settings.
Can I change the difficulty?
Yes. Open Settings and choose Easy, Medium, or Hard. The change takes effect in your next match. Opponents also become faster and more defensive as you move through the tournament.
Why can't I hear the referee?
Check your device volume and the Bamboo sounds and Referee voice switches in Settings. On iPhone, turn off Silent Mode to hear the referee. The referee uses your device's speech service.
Where are my profile and results saved?
Your profile photo, preferences, ladder position, and local results stay on your device. If you sign in with Apple, completed match results and your chosen leaderboard name also go to the online leaderboard. Your photo is never uploaded. Deleting the app removes local data; offloading it retains that data.
Do I need an account?
No. You can play without signing in. Sign in with Apple in Profile if you want to join the online leaderboard. Other players see your chosen leaderboard name, rank, progress, and wins, not your photo or Apple ID.
How do I delete my online account?
Open Profile and tap Delete account. This removes your leaderboard name, match results, and sessions from our server. Signing out or deleting the app does not delete your online account. See the privacy policy for details.
How do I report or hide a leaderboard name?
Use the flag beside a player on the online leaderboard. Signed-in players can report a name for review. You can also hide a player from your own leaderboard; that choice stays on your device.
How do I change or remove my photo?
Open Profile, choose Change photo or Remove photo, then tap Save profile. The game uses a small copy of your selected photo and leaves the original unchanged.
What happens when I leave the app?
The match pauses when you leave. Tap Resume when you return to continue.
Is the game available on the App Store?
Kendo Match is preparing for its iPhone release. The download link will appear on this site when the App Store listing is live.
Something still not right?
Email us with your device model, iOS version, app version, and a description of what happened. A screenshot is helpful when it shows the issue. Please leave out passwords, payment details, and other sensitive information.
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