Beginners Guide to Starting Kendo in Cork
Who do I contact?
The two main things you need to do are contact the club (Contact form here) and look at the calendar on the right for the next Beginners course start date.
At this stage you should be planning a few visits to the dojo to familiarise yourself with training and the facility before you start the begineers course.
What will I need to bring?
For the first five weeks (beginners introductory course) you only need to turn up with loose fitting clothing. Tracksuit and a T-shirt are fine. You will be provided with a Shinai and/or Bokken for the duration of the class.
You will be training barefoot and it might take a few weeks for your feet to harden so you can practice walking barefoot on as many different surfaces as possible (around the home is fine, carpet, wood, tile etc).
After you progress from the introductory course you will move on to intermediate training. It is during this time you will be expected to purchase a shinai, bokken, hakama and keikogi (These are the traditional atire of samurai. A wide fitting loose pants and a heavy cotten jacket).
What can I expect from the classes?
Turn up 10 minutes early to ensure you dont hold up the class or other students. As you enter the room you bow to the Shomen (focal point of dojo) then quietly get changed. You then line up with a senior student to your left and face the sensei (instructor). When the sempai (most senior student) calls seiza you kneel down. The sempei will call other instructions. You will eventually learn them, but for the meantime copy everyone else. This is called Rei (respect / tradition) and it is crucial to begining kendo.
The class will then begin with a light warm up after which you will begin your instruction. If in doubt about any aspect just look to your seniors and try to copy what they are doing.
When the class is over you will then be guided to Seiza again, where you will repeat Rei and the class will end. You may get changed and only when the class is finished may you ask any questions on any difficulties or queries you have. It is strongly encouraged that you do not talk during the class (there should be only one voice; that of your sensei) and that you remain polite and considerate throught your dealings with other kendoka (kendo practioneers).
What are the costs?
Kendo can be quite expensive, but there is really no excuse for poor quality equipment, it's just too dangerous to risk an injury from substandard gear.
Equipment: Shinai prices start at about €30. Bokken prices start at about €20. Hakama and Keikogi prices start at around €60 (€30 each). Bogu prices range from €500 to €5,000. We can provide Club Bogu for hire (€75 per year) if necessary when the time has come.
Fee's: The five week introductory seminar costs €50, this covers instruction, equipment (complimentary bokken and carry bag)and insurance. When you complete the introductary course you will be expected to become junior members of Cork Budokai. Junior membership currently costs €25 per month. After this period you may become full members of Cork Budokai and take part in all our trainings. Full membership costs €35 per month.
You will also, (either after 3 months or when you become 6th Kyu), need to become members of the Irish Kendo Federation. This is an annual payment of €75. This enables you to become part of the European Kendo Federation (EKF) and the Federation International Kendo (FIK), as well as allowing you to partake in international seminars/training/grading and competition. If you join through out the year please be aware that you still have to pay the difference i.e. if you join in april you will still need to pay 75% of the Irish Kendo Federation subscription.
Gradings are free to 6th Kyu and €10 to 1st Kyu. If you travel for gradings then the prices will vary depending on which dojo you visist and what their governing body dicate.
Kendo is an expensive activity so please be sure of the sport before you purchase any equipment
When can I grade?
First off you cannot proceed anywhere unless you have completed your current level. This is the same for moving between grades a certain perioid of time and/or attendance will be a prerequisite. Attendance will be taken at every class. Exceptions will be noted on a case by case basis only.
At the end of every course there will be a grading specific to this class. Gradings will be offered here from 10th Kyu to 7th Kyu. There will be gradings from 6th Kyu to 1st Kyu every 3 months. There will be gradings annually at the Irish Nationals Competition for Dan grades
You will be told in advance of the gradings what will be required of you to pass. Generally there is a mix of appeareance/presentation, rei (respect and traditions), basic technique, and Kata. When you are in Bogu there will be ji-geiko (open fight). It is generally not how much kendo you can remember but how well you do what you know.
You are also encouraged to grade oversea's at any stage. You will need a letter from the President of the Irish kendo federation for this
.