Comomonly Asked Questions

I'd like to try a few classes before I join. Can I do that?

We encourage people to come out and watch a class and try out the basics before making a decision to join.

How long will it be before I'm in bogu?

In case you don't know what bogu is, it's the armour that Kendoka wear. How long it takes to get into it is almost entirely up to you. If you are applying yourself well in class and developing proper technique, you will likely be wearing bogu within three to six months. Your Sensei will make the final decision. It is important that basic techniques be learned properly and consistently executed well before a Kendoka is granted the privilege of wearing bogu.

Doesn't it hurt when you get hit?

It would be a lie to say getting hit with a shinai doesn't hurt, but it doesn't hurt a lot. That's because Kendo, when practiced properly, doesn't rely on strength to make a clean hit although a certain amount of power is necessary. You do get used to being hit after a while and it doesn't seem to hurt as much...

This is one reason Kendo is not for everybody.

Do you wear belts in Kendo, like they do in other martial arts?

No. However, Kendo does have its own set of grades, starting with Kyu and advancing to Dan. What does it all mean?

Adult beginners start at 6th Kyu and work their way up to 1st Kyu, which is one level below Shodan (1st Dan - 1st Degree Black Belt). Junior students (age 16 and under) begin at 9th Kyu. Kendoka are usually graded at their home dojo up to the rank of 2nd Kyu. 1st Kyu examinations (and up) are performed at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center each December.

How long does it take to get a black belt?

Personal opinion piece first... If you're getting into a martial art simply for the purpose of getting a belt, then don't bother. Success in Kendo or any other martial art doesn't depend on the rank achieved but by how the martial artist lives their life as a whole. If you have a fifth degree black belt but you're a twit to everyone who knows you, then you're just a twit and in my opinion, your rank is meaningless because you haven't truly learned any important lessons from your training.

Okay - off the soapbox now...

Gradings are usually done once a year within a dojo and if the head Sensei feels you've progressed enough to go further, then you'll be allowed to attend gradings in Toronto. Depending on when you started, it will take 2 or 3 years to achieve Shodan ranking in Kendo. So, if you started in November, you will be graded in-house the following year and likely allowed to grade for 1st Kyu in December the following year. You will then be eligible to grade for Shodan the following year..

Do I have to buy my own bogu?

No, although there will probably come a day when you want to own your own set. The Hayakawa Kendo Club currently has several sets of bogu available for rent to students. (Note: this may not always be the case.) All money from bogu rental goes towards - you guessed it - buying more bogu.

How come that hit wasn't a point?

Points in Kendo are based on KI KEN TAI.

KI - your spirit, as expressed by your Kiai (yell)

KEN - your sword

TAI - your body

These three elements must be in harmony for a Kendoka to score a point. So, if you hit an opponent's kote (wrist) with proper form but have no kiai, you didn't score a point. Similarly, if you have great kiai and it was at the same time you hit your opponent's men (head) but your body movement wasn't co-ordinated, you didn't score a point either. Anyone can hit another person with a shinai, but that's not what Kendo's about.

It is also possible that the strike was made with the wrong part of the shinai. The third of the shinai from the sakigawa (tip) to the nakayuki (leather tie) is the only part you can hit your opponent with and have it count.

In tournaments, the point also has to be clearly seen and judged as proper by two out of three judges.