LIMITED BEGINNER ENROLLMENT MAY 25' HOSTED BY JASO
First thing is to visit the dojo and check out what kendo is all about! We have a limited beginners enrollment period, to learn how to signup please visit our Enrollment page Here.
Location: Santa fe Family Life Center
Practice times: Tuesday & Thursday 6-8pm
Beginner enrollment months: Jan, May, Aug, Nov
Don't worry we got you! There are a lot of Japanese terms we used in kendo practice, but don't worry below is a list of common phrases used during practice
All that is needed to start kendo practice are comfortable clothing to move around in no special equipment is needed to begin practice. Bring and open mind and we'll provide you with loaner gear for the first couple of weeks! However If you want to purchase your own equipment, below are the first things you'll want to purchase:
Bamboo sword used in practice, consult a sensei on the size needed for practice, however most adults will want a size 39.
Uniform Top Navy blue color is what we use in kendo
Solid Oak sword used in Kata Practice
Uniform Pants, Navy Blue is what we want to use as a color
Below are a list of our recommended vendors for kendo equipment. this list is always evolving. so if you find a different vendor, please confer with a sensei before purchase.
What should I buy first? We recommend getting a beginners set that has all the below items:
Option 1 California Budogu
Uniform:
"fyi this is the nicest uniform on this list by a long shot especially if you go with the cotton keiko-gi"
this will need a few special instructions to wash, also always Hang dry the kendo uniform.
Shinai
you can get these from any vendor really I'd just go with a basic practice one for now, there are a ton of options out there.
https://www.e-bogu.com/Complete-Kendo-Shinai-with-leather-parts-Size-39-p/hay-ken-shi-hqcomp-39.htm
https://zennihonbudogu.com/shinai-houou-basic-practice-man/
https://budo-aoi.com/collections/practice/products/high-grade-practice-shinai-tadayoshi-furnished
Bokuto/Bokken
you can get these from any vendor really here are a few vendors:
https://www.e-bogu.com/Master-Series-Oak-Bokken-1-m-NATURAL-WHITE-p/yut-ken-bok-hq1-white-.htm
https://zennihonbudogu.com/bokken-standard/
https://budo-aoi.com/collections/iaido-bokuto-bokken/products/japanese-red-oak-bokuto-long
Option 2 Kendo Star
Option 3 E-Bogu
This is the best deal i can find on a beginner all inclusive set
https://www.e-bogu.com/Navy-Keikogi-Tetron-Hakama-Combinatination-p/ebo-com-sta-hqstartcombo3-.htm
you'll want to get the following:
Shinai size: 39 "bamboo sword length" 39 is for adults
Tsuba option: "add one tsuba and stopper" this is a handguard for the bamboo sword
Bokuto option: white, natural, or red "avoid black as it can scuff on other peoples equipment"
Bokuto Tsuba option: "add one tsuba and stopper" this is a handguard for the oak sword
Juban/Shitagi: Not needed "this is a white like undershirt"
Hakama "pants" Tutorial
Keikogi "top" Tutorial
Yoko musubi Knot tutorial for kendo
Fold Keikogi
Fold Hakama "part 1"
Fold Hakama "part 2"
Tie Tsuru Part 1
Tie Tsuru Part 2
Below are a list of our recommended Books and video for learning more about Kendo. this list is always evolving. as new media gets published
Straight from the source, fantastic resource for all Kendoka of any level both in english and Japanese
Again straight from the source, a great list of videos and excellent Training tutorials in both english and Japanese.
English Version "Zen Nippon Kendo Kata"
Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan, Iaido 6-dan, Naginata 5-dan, Jukendo Renshi 6-dan, Tankendo Renshi 6-dan. Alex also studies the classical martial arts of Tendo-ryu and Jikishin Kage-ryu. He has competed successfully at international competitions for Naginata and Kendo, and established the Seitokenyukai club in Christchurch.
Kendo Renshi 7dan kendo Kendo Main Instructor/President of Gotokukan Inc., Indianapolis and Gotokukan Anderson. Former Kendo Instructor at Mudokwan kendojo in Indianapolis, IN Volunteer instructor of kendo, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV Represented Japan on the international Ship for World Youth program. Foreign Relations Full-time Volunteer, Japan International Cooperation Agency, commonly known as "Japan's Peace Corps," Guatemala City, Guatemala
George McCall Sensei, Kyoshi 7th Dan. A former GB Team member who now lives and works in Osaka as a School Teacher, and is the founder of Kenshi247.net. Teaching kendo is part of his job, which makes him the only non-Japanese public high school kendo teacher in Japan.
George ran Edinburgh kendo club from 2000-2003 before moving to Japan. Since moving to Japan, George has studied kendo almost exclusively under police professionals.
George is the first, and only Scottish kendoka to pass 7th dan and is possibly the only non-Japanese kenshi in Japan to have (at this time) gone through the renshi and kyoshi tests in the same manner as kendoka in Japan.
Geoff Salmon holds the kendo grade of 7th Dan and is one of the few westerners to have passed the new AJKF kyoshi examination.
Geoff taught kendo in the UK and throughout Europe. He held a number of key kendo posts including that of Chairman of the British Kendo Association and Manager of the British National Kendo Squad. He was a director of the 12th World Kendo Championship in Scotland where he had the honor of welcoming Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
Kyoshi 8 dan Kendo Ozawa-sensei studied kendo under Yamanouchi-sensei while a student at Nippon Sports Science University, and also at the internationally famous Kodansha Noma Dojo.