How to Start Kendo

The Japanese form of fencing, known as kendo (or "way of the sword") is gaining a larger following as more people are being exposed to the faces of Japanese culture besides anime.

With summer just starting, there is no real better time to get into shape doing something a lot of us like to do anyway - beat people with sticks... well, sticks that you have to buy, anyway.

Kendo, as anyone who has practiced it for long enough, is expensive. First and foremost, know that. Kendo is expensive. However, a good set of armor will last you for a very long time - years, decades even. Shinai (bamboo swords) are going to be first and then the hakama and keikogi. Just know that if you want to do kendo, you will either have to borrow a club set of armor or purchase your own (which typically ranges over $250.)

Next, kendo takes a lot of repetition. I am going to save a lot of new kendoka some time by saying this: the things you practice on day one are the same things you'll be practicing on day 100. Kendo is so much built on basics that a lot of the highest ranking kendoka will, seemingly, be able to pick off their opponents using very simple moves. Go look for videos of a 8-dan kendo tournament if you want to see. This is one of the big things that people have trouble with. Being a beginner means going to practice and doing the same thing over and over again. But, if you don't, you'll get the royal treatment once you can actually engage someone in a sparring match. Free practice is all about basics.

The physical taxation of kendo is also a point worth mentioning. Not only is it an aerobic exercise, kendo works your arms, legs, hands and feet. Your back and neck are also prone to be sore if you are not used to having your posture straightened already. The stance kendo takes is a very straight-backed one, so it's not an unknown problem to have your neck hurt a little bit after a practice that requires a perfected stature (if a guest teacher comes in, for instance.)

Upon mentioning the hands and feet, I feel it is an obligation to emphasize that you will need to build callouses on your feet and hands in order to become a proficient kendoka. Holding a brand new shinai can tear up your palms and sliding around can cut up or rip the skin of your underfoot. If you can't stomp correctly, it's also possible to bruise your heel. The importance of a proper stomp is important. It has been recorded that an experienced kendoka can produce a ton of pressure on a single stomp onto the floor (or your heel if you're doing it incorrectly... ouch.)

However, if you are still interested after all the things I've said above, then please, by all means, continue reading.

Kendo is a martial art. Kendo is also classified as a sport. However, the true purpose of kendo comes from the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei or All Japan Kendo Federation. The bottom line is that "The concept of kendo is to discipline the human character using the principles of the katana." Such a statement proves to be true once many of the humbling and traditional codes of kendo come into light.

As a lifelong pursuit, a kenshi is confronts many obstacles. First, skill, then an opponent, then even after the opponent, his or her own self and age become things to overcome. As the statement says: it's about human character. Therefore, it's only natural for one who practiced kendo for 50 years, although advanced in age, to dominate a 20 year-old who started when he/she was 15 or so.

Therefore, for anyone looking for something to do for the next... oh 40 years... kendo could be perfect!