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. Until recently, the only places to practise Kendo in Scotland were Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the recent addition of a new club in Aberdeen. St Andrews Kendo Club catering for Dundee and the north of Fife started training in October 2004.

Michael Gratzke (third dan Kendo) who has trained in Cambridge and Edinburgh is the dojo leader of St Andrews Kendo Club, Stewart Hutton 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 on a regular basis to provide advanced tuition. Our sensei is Steve Bishop, godan kendo, 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. Typically there are two of these each year. As well as attending a class to watch, please also contact us to register your interest.

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?

The beginners' course runs on Mondays at our regular weekly dojo:

St Leonards School
St Andrews KY16 9QJ

Please Note: This is NOT our postal address. If you want to write to us, please click here

We start formally at 7pm with everyone bowing in, but the dojo is open and available for individual advice, warmup and practice from 6:30. Members are encouraged to be ready to train at 6:30 if at all possible. On the first night of the beginners' course, please try to come before 6:30, as it takes a while for everyone to fill in the forms, sort out equipment sales, etc.

Map and directions are on our training page.

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 £20 (£12 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 (£50 pa, students £20 pa, charged pro-rata from 1st January each year).

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
BKA: http://www.kendo.org.uk

A comprehensive manual with hands-on information and glossary of terms used in Kendo training at:
http://www.kendo.org.uk/clubs/edinburghkendo/manual.html

If you have any specific questions, contact:

Club Secretary:
Stewart Hutton
Telephone (01592) 744392

To email us, or write to us, please use 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 £20 per calendar month (£12 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.