Starting Kendo

[Kensai]

I just recently moved to Japan and I am interested in starting in either Kendo or Iado. I would like to hear some opinions on the two if anyone would like to share. I am told that many practitioners choose to train in both. Right now two different classes is too much for my schedule to handle so I want to try just one school of training for now. Thanks ahead of time for any inputs.

[Alex]

It really depends what you're into. Kendo is far more physical in nature than iaido, and you will really build up a sweat, especially in summer. Kendo training is serious hard work, and requires a lot of time in the dojo to make significant progress. Iaido, on the other hand, is not as physical as kendo, and more emphasis is placed on precision and form. Much of the stuff you will encounter in iaido can be done at home if necessary, and you don't need a partner, so it may be easier to do in this sense. The truth is both kendo and iaido compliment each other, which is why many people do both.

Use the force...

[Kensai]

Thank you so much for the response. If I may ask another question regarding this...
When a new student arrives into a kendo school, is there equipment that can be borrowed or is the student expected to purchase uniform, armor and shinai immediately? Then there is Iado. Would I be expected to have to purchase a sword or would there be something that the school would loan me until I was able to afford something at a later date. The classes are about the same price but I wanted to check on the needed equipment.

[Ian Russell]

Originally posted by Kensai
When a new student arrives into a kendo school, is there equipment that can be borrowed or is the student expected to purchase uniform, armor and shinai immediately?

I would be weary of any school that makes you purchase bogu (kendo armour) for the first class. Call ahead of time and ask if you can observe a class as you are considering the study of kendo, at that point, ask if you need to bring anything.

Different clubs/dojos will have different customs regarding new/prospective students. Some may only let you observe first, some may want you to jump in with sweats and a t-shirt, and some may require hakama and uwagi (uniform) at first. Call and inquire. In either case, you won't be practicing in bogu for while, let along thinking of buying a set. As for the shinai (bamboo practice sword), chances are, someone will lend you one at first until you purchase your own. Shinai are relatively inexpensive.

Originally posted by Kensai
Then there is Iado. Would I be expected to have to purchase a sword or would there be something that the school would loan me until I was able to afford something at a later date.

Call and ask. But, most likely they will have a spare bokken (wooden sword) that can be lent to you.

Go, have fun, and be polite.

Cheers,

Ian R.

[heavenbird]

I have a question on the color of gi and hakama. I know females could/can wear white if they wish to instead of traditional blue uniform. But someone once told me that it is not a good idea to appear in white in tournaments especially if you have a low rank. Why ?




thanks



heavenbird

[mingshi]

Er, well it depends on what sort of tournaments are you at...?
In ladies' championship you will see both white and blue ones.
In men's... may be it's dominated by blue ones... and the white ones become odd one out? And that you'll stand out from the crowd?

another thing is that, white makes targets stand out (a bit)... if you don't have a whole set of white armour.

Ha~

[Will]

At the last world championships everyone from Korea came in white. Just a tid-bit i'd like to add.