When to get Zekken?

[nodachi]

When do you get a zekken? Do you wait for your sensei to tell you to get one? Did you just go and get one yourself? What do you do if you train at two dojos? Two zekken? I am a recent addition to these places so I was waiting for someone to tell me that I needed one, rather than get one when I haven't necessarily earned it. Know what I mean?

Advice please, right now I am waiting, but I am curious about what you all think.

[kendomushi]

Normally once you are wearing the bogu, you get a zekken. Otherwise people who aren't very familiar with you will have a hard time telling who you are in that helmet.
If you regularly practice at more than one dojo, and are a member of each, it is normal to have one for each dojo.

[Neil Gendzwill]

When to get a zekken is a club-specific thing. I suggest you ask one of the senior students about it if you are curious, otherwise just wait until sensei tells you to get it. Traditionally, you wear a zekken when your club feels you are ready to represent them at external functions. Practically, you need one if you are to compete (although chalking your name on your tare will work in a pinch). In our club, we traditionally allow our members to wear zekken when they achieve shodan, and present them as a gift sometime after they pass their grading. Being isolated as we are, this doesn't present much problem for tournaments and suchlike.

[Nishi]

We have always left it to the individual to decide. Just ask your sensei. Its only a name tag/fashion accessorie(sp?), Really, if you want to sport your name in your dojo you need only get your name embrioded down the back of your hakama, its still more or less a zekken, just an alternative.

[kancho]

At our dojo, it is presented to us by the sensei's. They give it to us a few weeks after we are allowed to wear bogu. It has our club's logo and our names on it. I don't have mine yet since I am a new bogu wearer I am sure I will get one soon.