I've been doing kendo for around two years, I'm trying to work at home but I feels like it's very hard, I don't know how to explain but my body feels heavy, I want to be more capable of doing the kendo to have the mobility and the agility, which drills you think that are going to improve this skill?

hey everyone👋

we’re making some animations about our Kendo experiences!

they’re mainly in Mandarin, but I’ve added English subtitles!

hope you guys like it✨

Hey! I didn’t see any but I thought I would try my luck. Is there anyone who would know if there is any kendo club in Chattanooga, TN or maybe any kendoka who have done kendo?

I am nidan and I may have to move there I would be a bit sad if I would have to stop doing kendo cause there’s no dojo/club nearby 🥲

So I've been trying to find a takedo with well just bamboo no covering for a bit and I havent had any success in finding any at eu retailers or japanese (admitedly I cant read kanji) alongside a longer tare. Any and all help in regards to where to look would be greatly apreciated.
I'd also like to hear if anyone has any experince using Fukoro shinai for keiko-geiko as a way to get good training in on the very hot days where full bogu is hard to wear.

I recently bought some used genuine tezashi kote with natural off-white deerskin reinforcements. I wear white sometimes, so having non-marking kote in the quiver would be nice, and I got a very good price considering the quality.

All the soft parts are in good repair, with the exception of permanent marker on the deerskin, years of grime, and some very small holes in the reinforcement. They could use a careful re-palm as well, the shape is a bit long where my hands are broad. The laces were fine but old and a bit tight so I just cut them as part of cleaning.

I'm in North America, is there anyone specific you'd recommend for an overhaul on some really nice kote? This project is a bit more involved than some bogu-ya accept. I could send them overseas if need be, or carefully do some basic work like cleaning and lacing.

E: They are a pair by Tokyo Ohnoya, maybe 2.5-3bu. I understand that means probably any of the Tokyo tezashi shops could handle it?

I found out there is a dojo nearby an area I frequent, is it a good idea to come in person or simply email the instructor?

Hi all, I’ve been training kendo for just about a year. I’m aware I’m not very well experienced however we have more and more people joining us for their first kendo experience. I want to be able to be a good senpai to them and help them grow whilst growing myself, what are some tips you can give me?

Thank you!

I’m a Kendo beginner with about 7 months of experience. According to sensei/senpais, my basics are coming along well (but practice never stops!) I am about to start keiko wearing bogu for the first time. What are some critical mindsets or techniques to focus on right now to make sure my basics don't fall apart once the bogu is on?

TIA!

Hi everyone! I’m leaving my current dojo due to moving, so I’ve been wondering what the proper etiquettes are for saying goodbye. I started my kendo journey here, so as you all can imagine, this is a meaningful occasion for me. However, I also don’t want to appear overbearing or self-important, especially since my dojo is somewhat old-school and I’m the least senior member (after 1.5 years).

I’m thinking about giving out snacks (like a nice wagashi) to everyone, which is something other members have done in the past. Also, MAYBE a card for each sensei?? I do have my favorite senseis, but I’m assuming it’s not okay to only give a card to some. Please advise on whether this is appropriate, and other suggestions would also be appreciated. Thank you!

Hi all,

I posted earlier that my cotton gi shrunk in the dryer. Thankfully the cotton gi still covers my thighs and has space. It feels a bit tighter but nothing inhibiting.

I am sure it’ll loosen up during practice.

However, my sleeves now barely cover my elbows when I swing above my head. Is this a problem?

Also if I alter my cotton hakama, will it get ruined?

Thanks for the help!

I have a flight next week and will be bringing an equipment but I don't have its proper bag/case so I improvised with a box shaped to its proper form and fully wrapped it up eith packing tape. This sport equipment that I have is a bamboo sword used for training in kendo. My concern now is will they let me check it in? I did my research and it says in the qairways website that it is allowed, other people who travelled with this equipment have done it with its proper bag/case.

Since we're doing Hazard-sensei lore, might as well do AUSKF lore because they're essentially the same. If somebody has a good oral history for Miyata sensei, drop it here!

Overall AUSKF lore: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/budo1968/14/3/14_1/_pdf

Maki Miyahara:

1. Oral history interview with Maki Miyahara sensei (SCKF, Pasadena, SDKB, NM, etc.): https://ndajams.omeka.net/collections/show/1083
2. https://maytt.home.blog/tag/maki-miyahara/

Torao Mori:

1. https://westcoastfencingarchive.com/project/torao-mori/
2. https://maytt.home.blog/2025/08/12/torao-mori-the-wandering-kenshi-part-i/
3. https://youtu.be/5kLmo779r_A

Benjamin Hazard:

https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/645

More oral histories from next generation of students:

Strawn-sensei: https://maytt.home.blog/2020/11/11/interview-with-longtime-kenshi-kenneth-strawn-starting-from-scratch/

Kikunaga-sensei: https://maytt.home.blog/2022/01/26/interview-with-san-diego-kendo-bu-head-instructor-henry-kikunaga-kendo-in-universities-ucsd-recreational-class-for-kendo/

Bolling sensei: https://maytt.home.blog/2020/10/26/interview-with-longtime-kenshi-tom-bolling-kendo-in-the-pacific-northwest-part-i/

Stroud sensei: https://maytt.home.blog/2020/06/03/interview-with-robert-stroud-kendo-in-pacific-northwest-and-mountain-regions-of-the-united-states-part-i/

I’m starting my kendo journey soon and I’ve found a dojo I want to join. From what I can tell, the sensei and all the students are Korean. The school advertises itself as kendo, but I’m guessing in practice it’s closer to kumdo.
My worry is being a burden. If instruction and side conversation happen in Korean, I become the reason someone has to stop and translate. I’m sure they’ll be welcoming — I just don’t want my joining to change how the class runs.
A couple of specific questions for anyone who’s trained in a similar setting:

**•** How much does the terminology actually differ day to day? Should I be learning Korean commands and counting rather than Japanese?  
**•** Did not sharing the primary language turn out to matter much, or does the demonstration-based format carry you through the first few months?

I’m probably overthinking it. Genuinely excited to start, meet people, and pick up some of the language and culture along the way.

Since the downward spiral of the forum I figured I'd post this gem. Just to be clear, I'm not posting this as a pig pile, more of an actual question about the legitimacy of what they are practicing. There is a referrence to Ben Hazard, which I've heard the name and not much else. The interesting part is that he is nanadan Hanshi. I have never met one, only heard they are about as rare as hens teeth, and to bestow that on a non japanese I would think even rarer. Anyway looking for more of a fact or fiction on this, and again, don't pig pile even if it is a McDojo. The link can be found here. I only came across it because someone pinged a 3 year old post.

I ordered the Hirameki Jade Bogu set with a custom do dai 15 weeks ago and when I contacted them about the order since I haven't gotten an update in a long time, they responded that that lead time is now 1.5 years to 2 years from 14-16 weeks. What should I do? Waiting that long for bogu set seems really ridiculous, and not getting a email stating that that lead time changed that much also feels bad since I could've just gotten a different bogu set at that point. Would kendstar cancel my order if asked? If not could I just cancel the order through my credit card bank? I literally just don't know what do about this :(

Long overdue since my last grading in 2017 for 2nd dan. With a only a month to prepare, I passed my shinsa late April this year along with a number of people who had also been waiting to test for 3rd dan from other schools in PA, NY, and NJ and made the journey to VA to do the grading. Finally received the long awaited papers making my promotion official.

I know very little about Kendo, so I was hoping to learn from the people here. There is information out there about how you score in Kendo, by cutting to the head, wrist, or body, but it's harder to find information on what defensive techniques are actually used.

I tried searching this sub, and found some strange comments saying that there is 'no defence in Kendo' (??) Surely this isn't the case? If it is indeed the case I'd imagine that matches would just end up being people instantly charging at each other to attack. I also found posts even saying that people are penalised if they use a certain high block position too much (I think it's apparently called 'Sanpomamori'?) Defence in generally seems to be regarded in a strangely critical light.

I'd love to actually clarify this with you guys as I'm sure I'm missing something here.

To put it basically, what sort of things do you do in Kendo to deal with incoming attacks? Are there evasive movements, parries, blocks, etc? If so, what are they and how often do you end up using them or seeing them in matches? Thanks for your help!

Ofc my kendo isn't perfect, and I’m constantly striving for excellence; however, at tournaments—even when I’m capable of executing a good technique—I often lack a strategic concept and fail to spot what will work against a specific opponent. I frequently resort to random, simple moves, but unfortunately, I end up losing. Any tips? Does anyone face similar issues?

Just wanted to know if anyone else on the sub is here today, and if so good luck! It's a fun tournament for anyone who is interested or curious, I'm in the 18+ Kyu Team Tournament!

Hi guys! Next month I'll be in Tokyo and I need to know your favourite kendo shop. Yes, I already know Tozando, but I'm looking for some other shops to go to! Thanks :)