Dojo in Randolph, MA

[maxalex]

Hello:

Anyone here trains at Shu Fu Kai in Randolph, MA? Do they have a website? What is the address?

_Thanks.

[nodachi]

There is no website yet. It is in the works to be made, but it's in the planning stages. We train Sundays from 2:30 to 5:30 at the Boston Higashi School. It's right on route 28 (I'm pretty sure of that, I might be having a brain fart). Any questions, just let me know.

[maxalex]

There is no website yet. It is in the works to be made, but it's in the planning stages. We train Sundays from 2:30 to 5:30 at the Boston Higashi School. It's right on route 28 (I'm pretty sure of that, I might be having a brain fart). Any questions, just let me know.
Could you tell me a bit more about the dojo?

[nodachi]

Practices always begin with kata, then waza practice of all sorts, 5 minute break, and then jigeiko.

There is a godan, a couple yondan, sandan, a few people I don't know what rank, and the rest of us below. We always have visitors from other dojos. Sometimes one or two, other times lots. We have joint practices periodically with clubs close to us and occasionally we take trips to NYC for joint practices down there. We are starting to have a good core of kids too. Most members are Japanese.

It is definitely the traditional Japanese style kendo dojo where good kendo is more important than points. They teach well.

For me to be more helpful, I need more specific questions though.

[jasontbrewer]

Hi,

I am looking for a place to start learning Kendo. I have no experience. Who do I contact about the Randolph Dojo? and what materials does one need to buy to start? Also, what is the cost for training?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

J

[nodachi]

You will probably have to watch a practice first, then you can talk to the Ogimura-sensei and get the info from him. At first you'll just need a shinai, but you should stop by and watch a practice and meet with him first. He'll tell you all the info you need. Sorry, phone number and email are currently lost in the abyss of my great organizational system:).

Next practice is Sunday at 2:30 at the Boston Higashi School, always same time and place. Although there is a competition on the 17th so that may not be a good time for your first visit.

[meh]

do you do any iaido? also, whats your standing on lefthanders? I am interested in joining so i want to find out as much as i can

[nodachi]

do you do any iaido? also, whats your standing on lefthanders? I am interested in joining so i want to find out as much as i can

No iaido. Just kendo, but always kendo kata before the rest of practice.

And what do you mean for our standing on lefthanders? Everything in kendo is pretty much done the same whether you are left handed or right handed, such as grip, attacking, positioning of the feet, etc. so whatever your question concerning lefthanders was, it probably doesn't apply anyway, but feel free to ask anyway in case I'm wrong.

If you are interested in joining, just stop by to observe a practice and talk to Ogimura-sensei in person to get all the info you need. I am just relaying basic info, but I am not trying to say too much since I am simply a student and not the teacher. I don't want to sound as if I am speaking for him. Just stop by and get your info directly from him. Visitors are always welcome.

[meh]

thnx for the info. I was looking for iaido though, in addition to kendo. Do you know of any other places that may do this? I know about the one in Waltham and Acton, but those are way too far to get to. Also, if i do come for to see a practice, I wont me able to for a long while because of an injury. thnx anyways.

[nodachi]

You found iaido in Acton and in Waltham.

There is also a group that practices iaido at a Brazilian culture club or something like that in Cambridge. Click around on the websites you have for links or web search for it. I just forget the info on the Cambridge place, but if you look around a bit you should find it.

[m_french]

Hey nodachi, I get back to MA a couple of times a year to visit family. how far is your Dojo from Marblehead-salem area?

[nodachi]

Traffic can be a little icky on Sundays so from Marblehead/Salem it could take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Probably more towards the 1.5 hour mark.

[5ro]

Nodachi:

How did you do in this past weekends tournament?

Please thank everyone in your club for putting on a great event. We had a great time. Our Team, NYC A, did not fare to well against Shufukai A :mad:

Look forward to the 6th Goyokai already.

[Siglith234]

Nodachi do you goto the dojo in acton?
I missed the recent tourney in randolph :( anyway i didnt pratice

[nodachi]

Nodachi do you goto the dojo in acton?
I missed the recent tourney in randolph :( anyway i didnt pratice

I don't go to the Acton Dojo.

[nodachi]

Nodachi:

How did you do in this past weekends tournament?

Please thank everyone in your club for putting on a great event. We had a great time. Our Team, NYC A, did not fare to well against Shufukai A :mad:

Look forward to the 6th Goyokai already.

I did not do so well. For my level, I feel as if I show my abilities well in jigeiko (don't take this as cockiness, I know I still suck:)), but when it comes to shiai, I am one of those people who don't seem to fair so well. I passed my shodan exam just last June so I'm one of the low guys in the shodan-nidan division in the tournament. I would like to think that I made my opponents work for their points, but the reality is I really defeated myself because when my opponent got points on me, they were really clean nice hits where I left myself open. This at least makes me happy though because they were really strong, clear moments from the shiai that I could learn from well. It wasn't like a half hearted hit that the shimpan gave away. They were nice, well earned hits which taught me a bit.

We greatly appreciate all who attended and welcome everyone, and more, back next year.

How did you do?

[5ro]

I made it out of my group, but ended in the quarter finals. It took me 4 matches to get out of the round robin group. The three of us tied twice, so we had to play each other again. I never felt comfortable and lost in encho in the quarters. I got hit kote. It was a bit high on my arm, but the timing and my lack of reaction was on, so he got the call. I did much better in the team matches.

Thanks again.

[Kento]

5ro-chan

Oh, I did not know that you did extra two matches to advance to the final tournament. You have very good Kihon and execution of waza, so keep up!

As it was litle bit cold out there, my family got sick...

jasontbrewer

I recommend Shu Hu Kai. Ogimura-sensei is one of the best players in the East Coast (at least) as well as a good teacher (I see his fellow students getting better and better), whom we admire. He is also a nice guy, and I am sure that you will have a fun learning Kendo with him.

[5ro]

Thanks for the word of encouragement. I've been working on my footwork a lot recently. Were you one of the shinpan for my matches?

I practiced with Ogimura sensei for the first time during the Saturday session. His men uchi is excellent.

[Kento]

5ro-chan

I was not a shinpan for your matches. It is me with a little baby, who you have known for a long time!

[5ro]

ah yes...and the very nice car!

It was great practicing with you. Thank you very much for the lesson. I thought it was you, but wasnt sure. I hope your family gets well soon.

[Kento]

5ro-chan

Hahahaha. You are right. My son almost recovered but wife and I are...

Will I see you at U.S. Team Qualify on Saturday at Rutgers? I will be there as one of referees.

[5ro]

Unfortunately, I will not attend this Saturday. Since I was in Boston all of last weekend, this Saturday is wife day! I wanted to go watch, but I will have to pass. Its too bad you cannot compete for a spot on the National Team. Your kendo is so strong!

Everyone is so excited about the Saturday Tryouts. I wonder who will advance.

[Kento]

Oh, Zannen...
BUT good plan, I would say, as our Kendo gets better if we have support from our family.
Hope to see you soon.