Beginners’ Courses
Introduction
Kendo (Japanese fencing) is practised by millions in its home country of Japan and is a fast-growing martial art suitable for everyone regardless of gender, age (please note that we currently don’t run classes for children under the age of 14) and body shape. Kendo integrates tradition and spiritual growth with competitive and physical aspects, and provides each student with a lifetime of challenges.
Michael Gratzke (third dan Kendo) who has trained in Cambridge and Edinburgh is the dojo leader of St Andrews Kendo Club, Penny Crowe is the secretary (including membership matters) and Andy Crowe is the treasurer. The club is affiliated to the very strong Edinburgh Kendo Club and senior Kendoka from Edinburgh visit to provide advanced tuition. Our sensei is Steve Bishop (fifth dan), who is the dojo leader of Edinburgh Kendo Club and a British Kendo Association Senior Coach.
To ensure a strong grounding in the basics for all new students, we do not accept beginners’ ad hoc but instead run eight-week long beginners’ courses. We run one course each year starting in the autumn. In some years, when there is high demand, we also run a course in spring. Please contact us to register your interest. We also ask interested parties to attend at least one regular training session as a spectator to learn about kendo before signing up for a beginners’ course.
We hope this document answers any questions you may have about starting to study Kendo, but don’t hesitate to contact us if there is anything you are unsure about.
Where and When?
Our beginners courses run parallel to our normal training sessions. Directions can be found on the training page. If you come to watch before the start of a beginners’ course just turn up for 7pm, remove your shoes at the gym door and make yourself known to the coach in charge. It would be polite if you could bow upon entering and leaving the dojo. On the first night of your beginners’ course, please arrive early (6.30pm) to allow time to process your application and to hand out your equipment.
How Much Does it Cost?
The total cost of the eight-week long beginners’ course including the equipment required is £80 (£60 concessions*), made up of:
- Tuition: £40 (£20 concessions)
- Temporary (three-month) BKA membership: £10
- Shinai (bamboo sword), bokuto (wooden sword) and carry bag: £30
You should not purchase equipment elsewhere before the course - we have had to reject unsuitable equipment in the past, and the package we sell is cheaper than you can buy it yourself. Our way is the safe and economical way!
The total of £80 (£60) must be paid in full on or before the first day of the course - we accept cash and cheques.
After the course, regular training requires St Andrews Kendo Club membership fees of £15 (£10 concessions*) per month paid by standing order (members paying concessionary rates who don’t want to be tied into a standing order arrangement can pay £3 per week at training), and permanent BKA membership after your 3-month temorary membership expires.
What Do I Bring/Wear?
You can wear loose fitting tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt for training during the beginners’ course. Plain blue, black or white are preferred colours. Kendo is practised with bare feet.
Note: Please do not hit anything or anyone with your shinai before it has been made safe by us! (We’ll cover this during the course). And NEVER hit anything or anyone with your bokuto!
You should also bring some water or other suitable drink, and soap and towel for a shower after training.
How Fit Do I Have To Be?
If you have any specific health issues or concerns, please discuss them beforehand with us and with your GP. A typical Kendo session is an intermittent high-intensity workout, but you are free to participate to the extent of your own abilities and will not be subjected to the “fifty press-ups” style of exertion found in some martial arts training.
Injuries are rare if you warm up and practise correctly, but you are likely to develop some blisters in the first weeks. We make first aid provisions for every practice, but you are responsible for your own supply of plasters!
We require you visit at least one regular training session to watch before you start your beginners’ course.
What Next?
At the end of the beginners’ course, you will be invited to move on to “regular” weekly training.
Later, you will progress to wearing uniform - hakama (divided skirt) and keikogi (jacket) and later still to bogu (armour). You should expect to train for at least 6 months before wearing armour.
Where Can I Find Out More?
There is a lot of good information about Kendo on the Internet:
Edinburgh Kendo Club: http://www.edinburghkendo.co.uk
A comprehensive manual with hands-on information and glossary of terms used in Kendo training at: http://kenshi247.net/site/edinburghkendo/print/manual.html
If you have any specific questions, please contact the Club Secretary via the contact form
What If I’m Not a Beginner?
If you have previously practised Kendo and now live in this area, we would be pleased to have you join us. You will need an up-to-date permanent BKA membership and St Andrews Kendo Club membership of £15 per calendar month (£10 concessions*).
If you are a member of another Kendo club or federation visiting the area, we will be pleased to welcome you as our guest to visit and practise with us at no charge.
* concessions are school pupils, students, unemployed and retired.
This page last updated on January 2nd, 2010. Beginners’ Courses