When to start

[RyuuguuOyashiro]

Hi, i am new to these forums, and i am very interested in starting Kendo.

However, i have read several times in these forums and other places that it is recommended that once you start learning in a dojo, you keep learning there for up to 2 years before considering going elsewhere.

The basic problem being that there are more Dojo's in London, which for the next year should be simple enough to get to, but after that year it would mean a very long journey i would be taking for no reason other than kendo...i don't have a problem with it other than it costs a fortune in train fair each time and i know for a fact there are closer Dojo's to me than London.

So, would it make cause a vast amount of problems for me if i started in one dojo for about 9 months, and then moved to a closer one, or would it be better to wait until i can stay in one place?

Thank you for any help.

[Neil Gendzwill]

The recommendation is against visiting other dojos while still a new beginner. If you have to transfer dojos due to moving, that's a different matter and normally should not be a problem.

[Badger]

I would think that it wouldn't be a problem. I started going to a new dojo when I was still a beginner(ish) and as long as you are polite and nice I'm sure they will be back to you and will be willing to have you in their dojo.
You should, however, check if they take new comers at any time.

[Takezo]

Whenever you feel ready!

As already addressed by Neil and Badger, it's more so referencing your beginner years when not moving. If you're staying where you're at, my recommendation is,

-See how you like the travel and time (I go 35 miles for Iai+Kendo and soon 50+ for Judo, so I know distance can be a pain!) and if you really feel your dedication is justification for gas/money issues.

-Going in hand with the first step, visiting those dojos and getting to know their instructors/students will show if its a place you want to dedicate said effort to. It would be a waste if there is a fantastic Dojo farther out and you later felt you "settled" for a closer dojo. It can also go the opposite way, so its good to get a valid opinion on all your dojo candidates before jumping on board.

Hope that helped.

[Peter West]

There are many dojo in the UK and on the whole most instructors know each other. If you are only going to be in London for a year and then have to move, I'd find a dojo, explain the situation and ask for a recommendation elsewhere when you have to move. Most people would prefer to see you start then move, than not start because you need to move.

[futabachan]

The recommendation is against visiting other dojos while still a new beginner.

For how long is one a "new beginner?" Until bogu? Until a certain rank? Until a certain time elapses?

[Neil Gendzwill]

Until your sensei says he's OK with you visiting other dojo.

[Peter West]

Whenever you feel ready!

As already addressed by Neil and Badger, it's more so referencing your beginner years when not moving. If you're staying where you're at, my recommendation is,

-See how you like the travel and time (I go 35 miles for Iai+Kendo and soon 50+ for Judo, so I know distance can be a pain!) and if you really feel your dedication is justification for gas/money issues.

-Going in hand with the first step, visiting those dojos and getting to know their instructors/students will show if its a place you want to dedicate said effort to. It would be a waste if there is a fantastic Dojo farther out and you later felt you "settled" for a closer dojo. It can also go the opposite way, so its good to get a valid opinion on all your dojo candidates before jumping on board.

Hope that helped.
Be aware though that the original post was in the UK. All transportation in Europe is hindered by European oil prices. In the UK (for Diesel) I'm currently paying around £1.30 per litre. At todays exchange rate that's 9.68$US per US gallon. What are you paying per US Gallon?

[RyuuguuOyashiro]

I will try and visit the Dojo's before deciding, in the mean time, can you recommend any books about Kendo and Iaido to keep me going until i get the chance to visit a Dojo.

[Jericho]

Hi im a newbie on this forum. I would like to ask if the registration for the July class at the Manila Kendo Club is still on going? And where can i get the equipment here in manila. I have been interested in kendo for years, but it is only recently that i have learned that there is a Kendo Dojo here in the philippines. I am from pampanga.:smiley:

[Togashi Yokuni]

Hi Jericho,


Hi im a newbie on this forum. I would like to ask if the registration for the July class at the Manila Kendo Club is still on going? And where can i get the equipment here in manila. I have been interested in kendo for years, but it is only recently that i have learned that there is a Kendo Dojo here in the philippines. I am from pampanga.:smiley:

I don't this would be the appropriate place for this question, as there is a dedicated thread to the Manila Kendo Club in the dojo section. You can reference it through here (http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12322). It's a bit of a long read, but if you check the newest posts you can see that we're discussing more or less the upcoming beginners' class. Also check you PM box.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Togashi

[RC_Kenshi]

Be aware though that the original post was in the UK. All transportation in Europe is hindered by European oil prices. In the UK (for Diesel) I'm currently paying around £1.30 per litre. At todays exchange rate that's 9.68$US per US gallon. What are you paying per US Gallon?

West-sensei,

I know this reply is a bit old, but in case you were curious . . .

I rented ("hired" to you folks over the "pond) a moving van the week after Memorial Day (last Monday in May in the US). When I returned it I needed to fill it with diesel. IIRC I paid $4.99 per gallon for the privelege. It's a bit more than that these days.

RC_Kenshi