Does anyone else here practice Kendo?

I am currently in my 5th week out of 6 for my beginner's course. I have one class left before I am a non beginner. I should also be getting my Keikogi and Hakama very soon too (since we beginner's at our dojo just wear loose casual clothing.)

My Sensei says that I have very good footwork and control, and that I learn techniques very quickly. At the end of my previous class he says that if I keep up my practice at home, I can do very well in Kendo, which I found pretty awesome.  

Plus, I think I have my first grading in a few weeks(-I'll see if I can get my brother to take photos), hopefully I'll do fine in it.

I really love practicing Kendo, it definitely was a great decision to join up. I wish I started it when I was younger.

I've been in the kendo club at my university for 3 years. Tomorrow (technically later today, as I'm up really late) is my last year-end banquet (I'm graduating next week).

We also started in just regular clothes, but after one semester I got keikogi and hakama. I actually didn't get bogu until almost 2 years after starting, since I was busy with schoolwork and didn't go to practice consistently. However, this let me practice basic subiri, footwork, fumikomi, etc., so that once I did get into bogu, I had a very solid foundation of the basics. Since then, I've been able to focus mainly on keiko and shiai techniques. But of course, I still have to keep up my basics!

Last month I went to my first intercollegiate tournament and actually won my first match! My opponent wasn't very experienced either though... but the guy I lost to in the next round ended up taking second place in the kyu division, so I don't feel so bad about losing.

I haven't had a chance to test because I haven't had time to join the local federation-affiliated dojo. I'm moving across the country for graduate school, so once I get settled in there, I'll look into joining a dojo there and finally testing. Hopefully they'll let me skip past the lower kyu...

I've had an awesome experience in kendo club, and I definitely encourage anyone interested to try it out!

I had praticed Kendo during 4 Years , in France , near Sophia Antipolis. I like Kendo. But i stop the Pratice because my job has change. , i hop a day re do Kendo

As of now, I am no longer a beginner!

Did pretty well during class, but when I did free sparring with the other experienced people, I got ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED. I just had no clue what move to use, but when I got myself together I managed to get the most experienced guy 6 times on the Men, and a couple of times on Kote and Do, which he applauded to before we switched sparring partners. (He was also the one who taught me on my first class-so we're pretty close.)

Finally got my Hakama and Keikogi too and I also got another Shinai. Gonna throw in a huge amount of practice over this week, so I can come in prepared next time.

I joined the club in my junior year in college, had been training twice a week for 6 months. I finally got the hang of it. But then assignments and exams got in the way, and the next semester, a lot of Student Committee works, and kendo was just faded out of me.

I gotta admit though, that 6 months training I had was the most enjoyable sports training I've ever had.

Had my first tournament today, one of my shinai's broke (above the handle) as in broke in two, and I came in second place in my division (7-10th Kyu)...at least I still got a trophy!

I think I did okay, since I only began around 9 weeks ago.

Whoa, you guys have 7th-10th kyu? All United States Kendo Federation only goes down to 6th kyu.

I still am not ranked as I have yet to join a Federation-affiliated dojo...

My Kendo Dojo has 7-10 Kyu, I think mine does things differently to the international standard, as we have leg sweeps to bring someone to the ground.

I'm around 3 weeks after completing my beginner's course, and I haven't done any gradings yet, so I'm still 10th Kyu.

Hi Guys! I'm an old member of scandal-heaven whose been missing in action for awhile. Just noticed this thread.  I've been doing Kendo for around 5 years here in the States. That's totally cool Aki*- that you placed 2nd on your first shiai. Congratulations.  I'm actually part of SCKF and AUSKF and there is actually old film footage from the 50's of kenshi performing leg sweeps. However we follow All Japan Kendo Federation rules so no leg sweeps. haha Like GeoFreak said we start out at 6kyu for kids and 4kyu for adults. Usually our kids start wearing hakama\keikogi about 3 months and after a year get to wear do and tare. Please keep us posted on how you are progressing and please put up pictures. That be awesome if you had pictures of your shiai!

GeoFreak since you did Kendo at Berkley you wouldn't happen to know a guy named Emil? He graduated last week also and is my sempai!

Yep, he joined the club for the past year. He's really good, as I'm sure you know. So you practice at Norwalk?

inocoma wrote:Hi Guys! I'm an old member of scandal-heaven whose been missing in action for awhile. Just noticed this thread.  I've been doing Kendo for around 5 years here in the States. That's totally cool Aki*- that you placed 2nd on your first shiai. Congratulations.  I'm actually part of SCKF and AUSKF and there is actually old film footage from the 50's of kenshi performing leg sweeps. However we follow All Japan Kendo Federation rules so no leg sweeps. haha Like GeoFreak said we start out at 6kyu for kids and 4kyu for adults. Usually our kids start wearing hakama\keikogi about 3 months and after a year get to wear do and tare. Please keep us posted on how you are progressing and please put up pictures. That be awesome if you had pictures of your shiai!

Thanks for the kind words! :D

I originally signed up for Kendo for a self-confidence thing. Me coming second in my first Shia really does help me mentally, as I feel myself that I can probably do well in Kendo and enjoy it at the same time.

A bit of info from my Dojo: We have divisions for Kids (Intermediates) (Ages around 12-17 - I think!) and Adults (Seniors) (Ages 18+. I'm 22, so I'm in here), all beginners start out at 10th Kyu (my grade right now since I haven't done any gradings yet). I got my Hakama & Keikogi around 7 weeks from my very first class, currently saving up for my bogu (Which costs as much as my guitar >.<), but it'll be worth it since it'll be to my measurements and I won't have to worry about hiring the club bogu.

We're currently going through practice for gradings so hopefully I'll be more comfortable during it.

Oh and I have lots of photos from my Shia and a couple videos. I'll see if I can get some on here.

GeoFreak wrote:Yep, he joined the club for the past year. He's really good, as I'm sure you know. So you practice at Norwalk?

Hi GeoFreak

Sorry to just be getting back to you now.  I'm actually a member of Costa Mesa Kendo Dojo.  Norwalk is our sister dojo so many of his members as well as him come and practice with us.  He is really good and always willing to help out wherever. Hope all is going well with you.

Aki*- wrote:

inocoma wrote:Hi Guys! I'm an old member of scandal-heaven whose been missing in action for awhile. Just noticed this thread.  I've been doing Kendo for around 5 years here in the States. That's totally cool Aki*- that you placed 2nd on your first shiai. Congratulations.  I'm actually part of SCKF and AUSKF and there is actually old film footage from the 50's of kenshi performing leg sweeps. However we follow All Japan Kendo Federation rules so no leg sweeps. haha Like GeoFreak said we start out at 6kyu for kids and 4kyu for adults. Usually our kids start wearing hakama\keikogi about 3 months and after a year get to wear do and tare. Please keep us posted on how you are progressing and please put up pictures. That be awesome if you had pictures of your shiai!

Thanks for the kind words! :D

I originally signed up for Kendo for a self-confidence thing. Me coming second in my first Shia really does help me mentally, as I feel myself that I can probably do well in Kendo and enjoy it at the same time.

A bit of info from my Dojo: We have divisions for Kids (Intermediates) (Ages around 12-17 - I think!) and Adults (Seniors) (Ages 18+. I'm 22, so I'm in here), all beginners start out at 10th Kyu (my grade right now since I haven't done any gradings yet). I got my Hakama & Keikogi around 7 weeks from my very first class, currently saving up for my bogu (Which costs as much as my guitar >.<), but it'll be worth it since it'll be to my measurements and I won't have to worry about hiring the club bogu.

We're currently going through practice for gradings so hopefully I'll be more comfortable during it.

Oh and I have lots of photos from my Shia and a couple videos. I'll see if I can get some on here.

Aki keep up the good work and if you ever come state side bring your bogu and come practice at our dojo. Hopefully you did will on your grading.

inocoma wrote:Aki keep up the good work and if you ever come state side bring your bogu and come practice at our dojo. Hopefully you did will on your grading.

Ah sounds good! Would absolutely look forward to that! :D

My grading went well, felt very confident during it! I think I got confused with the grading system before, but anyway, I started off ungraded, but after my grading I'm 10th Kyu now. I really felt like I should have gone for a double grading, so there was an opportunity missed.

Another surprise; today we had team tournaments, where I (being 10th Kyu) was put up against a 4th Kyu. Here's the kicker: I won against him.

I wish I had it on video, but I had the whole dojo cheering and on their feet. Had one moment where I slipped to the ground, but before I hit the ground I hit my opponent's Do.

Unfortunately, my two teammates lost their bouts, and we were eliminated in the first round.

Well I absolutely wish I had my bout on video, was definitely one of my highlights.