Anyone Familiar with Purdue Kendo Club?

[RichtheNewGuy]

I think this Sunday, I'm going to make the 2 hour drive out there, to observe a practice and ask some questions.

I'm really interested in doing kendo, but there is one thing that's making me feel a little queezy. I'm 25 years old, and in the past didn't have the time nor the resources to be able to attend. But now I can easily afford the experience.

I'm just curious, what's the oldest begginer any current kendoka has ever seen. I feel like i'd be an old man.

[David]

Much older than 25, don't worry.

[euclid]

I'm 32 and just started and I love it. All the other new guys in my class are way younger and it provides me with MUCH motivation!

[Neil Gendzwill]

We've had people start in their 40s. I didn't start until I was 23. You'll be fine.

[johnkichu]

I started when I was 44. I'd rather look at what kind of shape a person is in, rather than age. I wasn't in a triathelon shape, but I was in pretty good shape.

[ghostdancer]

just started at 46 and loving it

[Neil Gendzwill]

I'd rather look at what kind of shape a person is in, rather than age. I wasn't in a triathelon shape, but I was in pretty good shape.Eh. We had one guy start in his mid-40s in horrible shape, thought he'd quit but he stuck to it and got nidan before his job took him elsewhere. There's a 6 dan sensei in Vancouver who started in his 40s I believe. His secret to success? Don't miss practice.

If you want it and you're willing to work for it, you can get it.

[Ignatz]

I was 40 when I started and am going on 58 now.

[RichtheNewGuy]

Hey, thanks for all of the responses....very encouraging. I feel a lot better now, and am definitely looking forward to watching the practice.

[euclid]

Ask lots of questions.

Make sure you want to do this. Then, if you do, jump right in and enjoy!

:grin:

[RichtheNewGuy]

what are the most important questions to ask?

you know what, I messed up on the location; the one I meant was Indiana University Kendo Club. Perdue is about 3 hours from where i'm at.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Cool, I can merge posts. Bwa-ha-ha!

Anyways, the questions I would ask are all the normal ones: what does it cost, when are the practices, how do you handle equipment purchases, is this dojo AUSKF affiliated, who is the instructor.

[RichtheNewGuy]

cool...thanks

[verissimus]

Cool, I can merge posts. Bwa-ha-ha!

Apparently, with great power, comes great responsibility. Thus spake Spider-man's uncle.

Your post was an inspiration. I started three years ago when I was 23, and your experience gives me something great to look forward to.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Bah. I mostly serve as a warning to others.

[Solinde]

The oldest beginner that I know of was somewhere between 50 and 60 when he started kendo. When his body couldn't take it anymore he decided to do iai instead. He is now somewhere in his eighties and 5dan in iaido.

The oldest beginner we've had in our club lately was...52, I think (this was iai). His problems were different from the younger beginners of course, but he is dedicated and rarely misses practise.

I'd say you're definately young enough. ;)

[tilt]

I'm a beginner at 36 years.

[DarQik]

you know what, I messed up on the location; the one I meant was Indiana University Kendo Club. Perdue is about 3 hours from where i'm at.I just peeked at their website, (http://php.indiana.edu/%7Ekendo/index.htm) and I see that Sugawara-sensei is one of the instructors there. So, even without having ever been there, I'd say Indiana University should be a great place to go.

Most of Neil's suggested questions are answered on their website (http://php.indiana.edu/%7Ekendo/index.htm)--contact information, $25 club dues per semester, practice schedule, equipment suggestions, and they are an AUSKF member under the ECUSKF (regional federation).

[RichtheNewGuy]

yea....the only problem i'm facing now is that, the only practice i'll be able to make is the Sunday from 6-9pm; but I live 2 1/2 hours away and have to wake up at 5am every morning for work.

But if I go with Purdue KC, their practice is 1-4pm on Sunday, however it's about 3 1/2 hours away...closer to 4.

This is kind of a tough decision.

[sainueng]

I'm a little concerned that the latest news posted on the IUKC website is from 2003.

I know for a fact that Sugawara sensei is teaching at the Central Indiana Kendo Club. That info is available here:
http://www.midwestkendo.com/dojo-listings/indianapolis-in.php

The hours are NOT correct. They have practices on Tues and Thur night (I don't know exact times) and Sun 2-4pm. I was there this past Sun with others from my kendo club.

My suggestion would be to write an e-mail to IUKC and Sugawara sensei to inquire the most up-to-date information.

[RichtheNewGuy]

don't worry about that....I contacted them about that discrepancy because I was worried about that too. They said the club is still there in the same place and they told me the times and days. Here's the email from yeaster day.

I noticed the website hasn't been updated for over 2 years. Is there
> still a Kendo Club there? I'm interested.
>
> rich
Yes the Indiana University Kendo club is still active. This semesters practice times are Sunday hper 171 6-9pm and Tuesday hper 163 7-9pm. Wear loose fitting clothes so that you could move easily. Hope to see you there.

Jason

[RichtheNewGuy]

who's right then? I'm going to give them a phone call sometime before i get off work and find out for sure.

[DarQik]

Who's right? Uh, both of them. It sounds like they're still practicing, but haven't updated the website (I should've noticed that). Maybe they have a different instructor now?

[RichtheNewGuy]

i was referring to the days and times because sainueng said he was up there ona recent Sunday and that the Sunday time was 2-4pm as opposed to the 6-9pm time I got in the email.

Im going to give them a call here in about 30 minutes when I catch up with my paperwork.

[sainueng]

Sorry if I instilled any confusion. :p

I am in no way implying that Sugwara sensei is not an instructor at IUKC. I was merely concerned because the IUKC website has not been updated for a while, so I decided to interject what information I do know for certain. The Sun 2-4 pm is for Central Indianapolis Kendo Dojo, NOT IUKC. They are different clubs practicing at different sites.

My suggestion is contact both clubs, maybe visit both, and go to the one that best fits your schedule/travel.

[RichtheNewGuy]

I'm assuming the "Jason" that emailed me back is the instructor Jason. I've called a few times, but just keep getting the voicemail of a "Melissa".....not sure if it's the President or just a random person, because she states "if you're calling for...so 'n so....nobody by that name is at this number".

I'm just going to keep trying to get ahold of somebody, get better details, and go next weekend.

How's the Central Indianapolis Kendo Dojo? I think it's only an additional 20 minutes further.

CIKD, IUKC, and the Nashville Kendo club are the closest ones around here but they're all easily 2 hours away.

[sainueng]

How's the Central Indianapolis Kendo Dojo? I think it's only an additional 20 minutes further.


The Central Indianapolis Kendo Dojo is a good dojo. I know Sugawara sensei and Wu sensei both practice there. The YMCA facility they use is quiet nice as well.

[joekc6nlx]

Let's see....oldest beginner....well, I was 51 when I started, I'm now 54.

:Old_man:

[RichtheNewGuy]

Let's see....oldest beginner....well, I was 51 when I started, I'm now 54.

:Old_man:


I don't feel so bad after hearing about how old some of the Kendo begginers are...no offense.

How have you been progressing since you started?

[kurisu]

Let's see....oldest beginner....well, I was 51 when I started, I'm now 54.

:Old_man:

So if you stay healthy and keep practicing till you are my sensei’s age, 84, you will have 30 years of kendo under your belt. That’s a lot of kendo.

When you think about it, 30 years is a long time, it’s long enough for a career, but can you imagine if you started 40 years earlier? Next weekend, Cascade Dojo in Seattle is hosting a luncheon to honor 4 of the area’s sensei, who all have been practicing over 70 years.

So it’s been my opinion that you’re never too old to start, it’s more likely you are too young to start and keep up with it till you die. There should be a lot more 5th dans with 20 years or more practice walking around. There’s been tons of shodans and nidans outside of Japan over the years, but life gets a hold of a lot of them and after 5, 10 years they give it up. So for us older guys who start late in life, it’s easier to keep on going till we die. You guys in your 20’s just getting started, you got at least 50 years to go .