Some terms that are needed to learn as you train are:
Ha is the cutting edge
Hidari Left
Iaigoshi is a posture in which the feet are together and the knees slightly bent
Kesagiri a diagonal cut
Kirioroshi is the final cut
Kissaki is the point of the sword
Koiguchi is the mouth of the saya
Kojiri is the end of the saya
Kurigata is the knob where the sageo is attached
Migi Right
Morote Tsuke is a two handed thrust
Mune or Mine is the back of the blade
Nōtō is the sheathing of the sword
Nukitsuke is the initial draw of the sword
Sageo is the string attached to the side of the saya
Saya is the scabbard
Shinogi is the side of the blade
Tsuba is the hand guard
Tsuka is the handle
Tsukagashira is the butt cap
Ushiro Behind or back
Stances
Seigan no kamae
Step forward with the right foot, stand with the right knee bent with the right knee directly above the right ankle. Hold the sword with the kissaki at the level of the area between the chin and the eyes and the tsukagashira close to the abdomen. The left leg is extended back almost straight. The toes are pointed forward with the heel on the ground.
Hasso no kamae
The left foot is forward with the left knee above the left ankle. The right leg is extended back almost straight. The sword is held at the right side of the face with the tsuba at about the level of the right cheek bone. The ha is straight forward and the blade is angled at a 45 degree angle back. The elbows are held against the torso.
Jodan no kamae
The feet are placed just as in Hasso no kamae, however the sword is above the head with the tsuka above the forehead, the ha is forward and the blade is angled back at a 45 degree angle.
Waki no kamae
Stand in a wide stance with the left foot forward, the left knee above the left ankle. The sword is held with the blade behind the body angled downward at the right side. The hips are rotated to the right to help hide the blade from the view of an opponent that is in front of you.
Gedan no kamae
The right foot is in front. The sword is lowered from Seigan no kamae so that the kissaki is pointed at the knee level of an opponent. The blade is turned so that the ha is to the left. The tsukagashira stays at the abdomen (do not raise it, it should be as if the tsukagashira is a hinge attached to the body just below the navel).
In performing the waza, or kata, some things remain constant though out:
The gaze of the eyes is at the approximate level of the notch at the base of the neck, top of the chest, and is dropped toward a spot approximating 10 feet away on the final cut of a waza. The gaze is then raised on the final step back to the starting point
The angle of the initial cut on the draw, or nukitsuke, is determined by the left hand by rotating the mouth of the saya
Always make sure the sword is clear of the saya before beginning a cut
Always look in the direction of a turn or thrust to be sure of the target
For Nōtō the left hand is wrapped around the saya so that the thumb and index finger extend beyond the koiguchi. As the kissaki is drawn into position to enter the koiguchi the space between the thumb and index finger is opened slightly so the blade can pass between them into the saya
In Shoden Nōtō, the blade is passed across the front with the ha to the front by bending the wrist, then the arm is bent and blade is placed so that the mune, or back, of the blade is over the thumb and index finger and koiguchi with the length of the blade to the rear of the koiguchi, in a horizontal position. The length of the blade is pushed forward quickly, remaining horizontal, and the saya is pulled back until the kissaki drops into the koiguchi. The right elbow is now straight. Keeping the right elbow straight, the blade is slowly drawn into the saya with the right hand until about one third is still exposed, at this point the saya and sword are pulled together until the blade is fully inserted. The tsuba should now be centered in front of the navel, about one and a half fists widths from the body. During the entire Nōtō the blade remains horizontal. The right elbow remains straight.