What sort of correct etiquette is needed??

[AkuSokuZan]

I'll be visiting a Japanese school club dojo later on in the month. I was just wondering the correct etiquete neccesary, seeing as I'm prety ~~~~ new to Kendo. Just asking for opinions, and advice.

Thx in advance

[joekc6nlx]

Come early enough that you can introduce yourself to the sensei, ask him/her what you can do to assist in the dojo, and when everyone lines up, you take the last position. Even if you were ikkyu, you would still do this, since you are the guest.

Other than that, act as you would if you were a guest in someone's home. Be considerate of their ways of doing things, which might differ from the ways your dojo does things. Come with an open mind, leave with a full heart.

[Musha]

I'm not sure what kind of ettiquite you mean but if they are expecting you and your Japanese is not good, just go along as early as you can. The sensei will speak to you maybe in English :D or at least some one will. He should tell you weres best to sit, your rank depends on your age/experience/grade. So you wont have to site at the end of the line with the 7 year olds.
You might site on the side too.
The sensei might ask you to get up and introduce your self so don't be too shocked and think what you are going to say: Hi my name is _________ I'm from _______ came here to practice with you fine students of ______ dojyo.
The sensei might talk for you if you are not sure what to say.

Just act as if you were visiting any place, don't just go in dump your stuff and expect to practice and be off home :D.

[canuck316]

[QUOTE=joekc6nlx]and when everyone lines up, you take the last position.QUOTE]


Definately. I've even heard of this extending to the change rooms, so when you get changed, be the one closest to the entrance to the change room as well.

[lost_kendoka]

and when everyone lines up, you take the last position. Even if you were ikkyu, you would still do this, since you are the guest.

As joekc6nlx-san said take the last position in the line unless you have been asked to move up the line. A very good site I found on the fourm about etiquette: http://www.kendo.org.uk/clubs/edinburghkendo/manual.html

Hope you enjoy your time in Japan

[ISSAC RU]

Damn..Kris..Rich boy.~0~..I wish I could have the money to become an exchange student , then go to Japan..good luck~! Bring back some Japanese
kendo magzines!!! I need it !!

[AkuSokuZan]

First off, Thank you all for your wonderful responses.

Issac, I'm not an RBSO man...

As joekc6nlx-san said take the last position in the line unless you have been asked to move up the line. A very good site I found on the fourm about etiquette: http://www.kendo.org.uk/clubs/edinburghkendo/manual.html

Hope you enjoy your time in Japan

Thank you for this site. It is very helpful.

Also, whenever there are visiting sensei's one of our yudansha (lower ranked ~sandan to yondan~) Always goes up to the sensei and asks if they could put away their things for them. Is this only to be done when a sensei visits, or can it be done when you visit?

Once again, thx for your responses.

[kendo-boi]

Whoa nice Kris I never knew you were going to Japan...hahahaha.

You better get me something....joking joking no need!:D

[Iwao]

Youll like it :D

[AkuSokuZan]

Kendo magazines for Issac: $40

Kendo related stuff for Aimon: $50

Souvenirs for: Parents, sibling, friends: $200

Seeing the look on their faces when you came back empty handed: Priceless


Nahhhhh, I'll see if I can get you sumthin.... Issac, the chances of me finding a kendo magazine, not likely, but if I do , I'll get it for you...

[ISSAC RU]

Kendo magzines should be very easy to find on those newspaper stations.

[Musha]

There not actualy. There are only two in Japan at the moment and you got to get them at the start of the month :(.
Kendo nippon is the best in my oppinion. Costs about 700 yen look in the sport section ;).

[Banza Joe]

Its customery and polite to offer to fold any sensei's bogu for them after practice, but make asure its done the right way for that particular sensei.

Just another point, does this sensei know you are visiting his/her dojo?
If not, then a letter of introduction is often appropriate from yourself and your own sensei.
I know the kendo community seems more friendly and closely knit than a lot of other MA's and this may not be necessary, but believe me a lot of other MA dojos in japan would not allow a visiting student without a letter of intro, its just manners.

have fun over there. :smiley:

[fighting mochi]

you should hit as many bookstores as you can. you might actually find books on kendo. there are many small bookstore so it should be easy unless you are going to a small town. look for used book stores as well. they sometime have books and magazines bundled together and sell for a reasonable price. at least it was like that when i was there.

i do miss it.

[JSchmidt]

I'll be visiting a Japanese school club dojo later on in the month. I was just wondering the correct etiquete neccesary, seeing as I'm prety ~~~~ new to Kendo. Just asking for opinions, and advice.

Thx in advance

Try to be of as little inconvenience as possible and behave as you would want guests to behave in your house. If you aren't specificly told where to sit, sit at the junior end.
You will most likely get dragged out in front of the class after the practice to make a short speech
Make sure to go up and thank the teacher after practice and if possible, bring a small present. (tenogui's are great for this!).
Don't bother with even attempting to fold up the teachers uniform and armor. As a visitor, that is not your job and you may find that junior students will fold up your uniform and armor for you.

Jakob

[Musha]

Wheres some one to fold my bogu :D. I've never seen this done, only one dojyo the younger students took off the senseis men himo :p.

[The great I AM]

Try to be of as little inconvenience as possible and behave as you would want guests to behave in your house. If you aren't specificly told where to sit, sit at the junior end.
You will most likely get dragged out in front of the class after the practice to make a short speech
Make sure to go up and thank the teacher after practice and if possible, bring a small present. (tenogui's are great for this!).
Don't bother with even attempting to fold up the teachers uniform and armor. As a visitor, that is not your job and you may find that junior students will fold up your uniform and armor for you.

This is pretty much it, though depending on the dojo they may just let you get on with it. When I went last year I experienced both ends, being made to stand up and give a small speech in one place, then just joining in the days practise and being pretty much left to it in another.

I agree about the armour as well, just let the regular juniors do it, they can (probably) do it better anyway.

[chidokan]

if you are there for a short time only, tell them and be prepared for some really hard intensive training. Most teachers try and help you more if they know you are only there for a little while.
I also suggest you try and improve your fitness level before you go, it can be really hot so you get tired quicker...

[AkuSokuZan]

Well, things are really clearing up and understanding what should be done is becoming quite easy.

One problem thought, I will not have a letter of introduction as I do not know the or in fact, any members of the dojo. It is a school Kendo club, and I will have only one practice there.

The principal reason for my trip is to educate students of my age what certain life is like in Japan. I will be staying with a homestay family. Study of Japan used to be included in my school grade curriculum so the trip was started. However, the japanese part of my curriculum was cut several years ago, ut we still continue the trip as a tradition.

While I stay with my homestay family, I will attend school with her and one of the available clubs you can participate in is Kendo. I found the chance to do keiko in Japan quite appealing, and as I didn't want to insult any of the members there I came and asked for help.

Once again, thank you all for your wonderful help.

[AkuSokuZan]

I`m in Japan rite now.. trying desparately to get used to a japanese laptop keybord, so weird...

Un fortunatly, I found out that kendo was no longer an option. I would still like to thank you all for the immense knowlegde and help you gave me. thank You.

Issac, i still havn‘t been able to find a kendo related magazine but trust me, i searched.

I will be back soon and hope to see my kendo buds soon..

[Pauly]

If you can, still try to go and watch some practices. They are great to watch.
And buy some men-towels. A must for kendo-loving tourists to Japan.

[chidokan]

you mean the local school doesn't do kendo???!!!!! Very surprised you cant get something, especially since you already practise.... but thats japan for you, a weird place isnt it, not what you expect....

[ISSAC RU]

Good to hear you are having fun in Japan , Kris.

[AkuSokuZan]

There is a kendo dojo in the school, but my teacher no longer gave us the option of participating in it because it was no longer a club. It is now a P.E. class in their school. Well, I could have gone to watch or participate, but I was brought to Dodgeball.. Still fun though. I did manage to get a few kendo related things like a good tsuba dome. Issac, I got you your magazine. Kendo Jidai I believe. Tonight is my last night here in Japan. I:m leaving tommorow. Can:t believe it:s over already. Had to give a sayonara speach today. I started to write it yesterday ha!!

Anyways, Thanks for your advice guys, I really apreciate it. I owe you guys a lot.