How to Begin Your Training in Kendo? Part I

[Nakamii13Elf]

You're a nice guy to even upload multiple of videos about Kendo and even explaining lots of it!

[jefelix2010]

I must learn kendo so I can protect myself from the outside world

[LittleDragon17]

I will do my best follow your videos to the best of my ability. I preparing myself for a movie, and then need me to master this art with a sabre by January 2012 before I may go to Japan to finish the rest of my job out.

[MadHatterRules]

i was wondering to perform seiza you have to put your butt on your knees...

what if you are unable to put your butt on your knees at all?

I'v never been able to do that, i know it sounds lame but i'm not flexible at all in any way...

And i dont know how to make my legs flexible like that so they would bend all the way.

[PhuPhamvn]

@MadHatterRules on knees or ankle :|

[alicependragon2]

i like kendo and japanese culture in general i mean its alot better than most societies

[photosynthas]

is everything you say opposite for left handed people or is it still the same great video by the way and thanks

[scarstoryz]

Hey some tips for you guys: you can never be too old or too fat.

The minimum age is 13(I think)

If you think that sitting like that is hard, you can just spend 10-30 mins trying it really helps a lot. :))

[TheTommyKay]

Ki Ken Tai - Ichi applies to Kendo as well?

[laughinggravy]

I first saw Kendo demonstrated on TV when I was 18 or 19, and I loved the look of it- the fact that there is so much ritual and tradition in it really appealed to me. However- there has never been a club within a reasonable distance of me - not even remotely close. Now, twenty-odd years later, a club has finally started within ten miles or so, and I'll finally get to have a go! I'm genuinely beside myself with glee this morning like a kid at christmas - I can't wait!

[koopaatroopa]

Man this would be so cool to learn.

[SoulAmvRE]

I wonder how expensive this must be but i want to learn anyway.

[brwnhoney]

wow everything seems so specific but i really like this!

[Joker627536]

Thank you very much!! it was really helpful.

[xxxPrInCoSxxx]

2 fist for men, 1 for women.

[TrackFourtyFour]

Is there any point in attempting to undertake solo Kendo training when you have no dojo available?

[ScoutSniper127]

This is what sephiroth had to go through... xD jk. sorry about that... anyways, i'm going to begin my training again... i've been going on and off due to life probs...

[lasercannon3]

I live in the UK, and there are very few Kendo groups, and the only ones i know of, are at the opposite end of the country.

Do you think it's possible to just learn the basics of kendo from home, with books and videos?

[huerohanshaw]

good good my grandpa teaches kendo i like this person



[omegasephiroth6789]

This is tough for a fatass... suggestions?

[MidnightEkaki]

@omegasephiroth6789 lose weight?

[gatesfan9]

@omegasephiroth6789 focus your heart and soul into it, i'm heavy as hell but i can do it just fine, i just keep going at it, practicing a good bit each day

[percydanvers2]

Jeeze, in fencing we just had En Guarde and Salute...

[jrm48220]

@percydanvers2

That's very true, but you need to take into account cultural differences. Japanese culture places a much greater emphasis on respect and social status, so much that it's woven into the language itself. By contrast western society is more focused on the individual than their relationship to their seniors, juniors, and teachers.

[VladPayne]

keep your butt on the heels :D

[YokaiOokami]

Thank you for posting this video it will help me get back to learning Kendo again after a 7 year break.

[marouko]

sonkyo is a hard ass!!

i tried it 20 times n cant walk straight after that lol

hope i will dont it perfectly next week

thanx for these videos, was a such help for me

[SoraXRoxas444]

I love Japanese culture alot! Kendo looks awesome! Also, is it just me or does this guy sound a little Australian? I'm just saying.

[LoveMe24HoursADay]

wonders if at 50 its too late to take up this Art ?

[NarutoMangaFans1213]

@ANIMExRETARD Yay!!!!!!!!! <3

[DeathBringingPotato]

Can you train kendo with 13???

[MiyaviFan99]

@DeathBringingPotato of course! :D

[NarutoMangaFans1213]

Is it ok for a 15 year old who is very interested in Japanese culture (and basically loves everything Japanese) who is a Sophomore in High School to start kendo for the first time in her life after just watching an anime based on Kendo? I really am interested and I am doing ALOT of research. But... Is it ok to start at this age??

[ANIMExRETARD]

@NarutoMangaFans1213 ya i know comment is a month+ old but still :)

i am in the SAME boat. i always loved basiclly anything japanese, really got into it at age 15 as well. 1st off to start off kendo cause of something u seen in a anime, BAD IDEA. tried that, failed. it may work for u tho :) but u said u really wanted to try it. 15 is a fine age, my friend started when he was 12 o.o go ahead and do it! self teaching is okay but try to find a class. it takes alot of time and practise, GO FOR IT

[thethunder7ulti7]

@NarutoMangaFans1213 yeah!a partner at last!i watched an anime and read some manga and i really want to try it out!although i cant find a dojo...too bad..buhuhuhu...

[NarutoMangaFans1213]

@thethunder7ulti7 hehehe xD You're comment made me smile :D

aw~ Maybe you will find one soon. :D

[Kasaidon]

After looking at the videos, I got a bit sad. After moving to Singapore, I can't learn kendo anymore, as there's only one Kendo Dojo here, and theres a age requirement, to be 16 and above, which I don't fit. Luckily theres these videos, I could practice a little on my own :/

[nazarul95]

@Kasaidon the minimum age is 13 according to the singapore kendo club:)

[Kasaidon]

@nazarul95 I emailed them and they told me i'm too young, and need to be 16 wth ==

[standalonesolid]

so it begins, how far will my resolve drive me, what heights can i reach with this new perspective

[akechi1000]

I find the "purpose of kendo" all over the place

" To mold the mind and body.  To cultivate a vigorous spirit, And through correct and rigid training,.....etc"

How is this whole thing written in japanese?

[dojo2go]

@akechi1000

Top one is "Concept of Kendo" by All Japan Kendo Federation.

kendo.or.jp/news/kendo-rinen.h­tml

[donald628]

@akechi1000  剣道の理念

「剣道は剣の理法の修錬による人間形成の道である」 剣道修錬の心構え

「剣道を正しく真剣に学び

心身を錬磨して旺盛なる気力を養い

剣道の特性を通じて礼節をとうとび

信義を重んじ誠を尽して

常に自己の修養に努め

以って国家社会を愛して

広く人類の平和繁栄に

寄与せんとするものである」

[donald628]

@donald628 I posted this Japanese Translation since I didn't see anyone Reply to your post.

[randompinkshell]

i want to join kendo and ive heard of one somewhere near i live. but there are many rules and conditions and one of them is that u have to be in healthy condition . but im kinda overweight.. no actually im VERY overweight.. and im scared they'll reject me lol ><... so scary

[Sexpistols15151]

im starting kendo within weeks im real nervous any tips?

[MrFikara]

I'm 22 years old. I'm interesting in kendo and i wanna learn it. But in place (padang, Indonesia) doesn't have any dojo of kendo. Could you give me some advice?

[MrFikara]

I'm 22 yearsold, I want to learn kendo but in my place (padang, Indonesia) doesn't have any dojo of kendo. Could you give me some advice?

[xxxvsxxx]

In sonkyo does your feet come up or does the sole touch the ground all the way?

[ficc2006]

sorry,

Are you teaching in Japan?

[reapordeath]

if i may, i can barely hear you >.> im interested in learning kendo lol and i cant go to a school to learn it. (if everything goes my way i will be a transfer student in japan and there i hope i can take kendo >.>) im also interested in the language and am trying to learn it (japanese) think you could do something with the background noise? it enterfers with your voice O.O what i could hear was stimulating :D

[sunburningstare]

how can he sit like that, my legs would be numb after 5 minutes

[reapordeath]

i have a few questions for you,

the clothes your wearing, i heard there are two types of hakama, divided and undiv. is that true?

does the kimono-obi ( i think its called) have to be black or dark colored? i never see a fully colored kimono exept where its either black or white, with red or blue hakama

other than that i can pretty much get to mah studying...

btw i can barely hear your words the sound in the background almost overpowers you....

im also studying japanese :D

[gundam898]

@manhatton989

wth a real dan will never ask this question

only way to get better is by training on ur weakest part in kumdo.

[Cheeseian31]

can somebody learn kendo of youtube?

[gundam898]

@Cheeseian31 nooo

those who do are just noobs and dont knoe anything

cuz u wont learn if from first hand and wont know how it feels to spar

[Cheeseian31]

hi my brother whos 11 wants to learn kendo, can u learn kendo of youtube?

[juanrahyuga]

I can learn watching these videos and practicing with a stick??

[pcjudosambo]

what are benefits of kendo in real life situations?

[gundam898]

@pcjudosambo

upper body strength and leg muscles and speed

so if u can put that together then yeah..u wont get mugged or anything

cuz u wont look like a weakling

[pcjudosambo]

@gundam898 very interesting .. combine kendo with judo grappling techniques and you might have the ultimate art :-)

[whyeatcrap]

i'm gonna learn from this

[Nathanroqs]

This seems so strange to me since I take Shinkendo and not Kendo :/

[Angelus2485]

i´m 25 y old i guess i´m late to learn some kendo...

[dojo2go]

@Angelus2485

No it is not too late. Many starts kendo in their 50s or 60s.

My father started kendo at the age of 55.

Never too late!

[wolfaction12]

@dojo2go Hey man im 13 and was wondering if I was to YOUNG to practice kendo? If not do you know any dojo's (sorry if thats not the right term) in texas?

[friedasian]

@dojo2go i thought starting at 17 was too late haha

[Mesqualito]

@Angelus2485 Im also 25 and started to practice kendo not long time ago. Good luck- and keep your back straight ;D

[solomonkilliebrew22]

thanks man this is so cool

[X13bloodwolf]

i think i saw you in a japanese drama or an american movie somewhere. you look kinda familiar... anyway, i liked the video. thanks, man.

[ionfreak93]

im left handed. idk if i can do kendo :T

[reisuke08]

@ionfreak93 do it the same as right-handed, my senpai told me

[amdturion123]

What if you're "left handed," does the rule still apply or is it opposite to fit your stance?

[infinitty88]

in my town there are no kendo schools so sad:( i wish i cud learn

[GrahamAndras]

@infinitty88 SAME!!! gah it's unfortunate D':

[bleachdude19]

i would like to get kendo in my skool . is thare any more tips if thare so ,e-mail me at mrdogdude19@hotmail.com

[ibtihalsalsabil]

korewa sugoi! arigatou gozaimasu, because of you i can learn kendo. in my city there are only 1 dojo with kendo, and they dont accept people under 17... T-T

[Ultraman725]

Thanks for the video, my dad only mentioned how to keep balance when swinging the blade and to keep your eyes at the end of it. This helped very much.

[bokutoone]

come on to the new freestyle "the KANNON's theory!! peace ; ))

[sleepyviper007]

does anyone know of a kendo school or classes in or by canton ohio?

[Paulhfch]

kendo is such a graceful sport. thanks for the vid!

[jskfagym]

Congratulations! excellent video and its very helpful. Let me tell you that never is late to learn about martial arts, and I'm so excited to train Kendo. Thanks for your support through your videos. God bless you!

[murray1234567891011]

very helpful thank you

[gordon2kam]

he is a much better sensei than the fat one i just saw on youtube

[MacCocoa]

@DragunovPK Is it? I'm pretty sure left-handed only seems more "skilled" since most swordsmen are not used to fighting against lefties.

[sophistnet]

thank you

[2579neon]

Thank you for contributing to this video. I have been practicing kendo for some time now, but never was I taught like this. Maybe I was going to the wrong school. Bad habits are hard to break.

[3Dtrauma]

I guess that Your school is probably not bad, but your sensei is not paying too much attention on traditional rituals within the dojo before, during and after the training.

[PedroGoulart31]

Okay? LOL it made my crazy!

[AssassinGrudge]

Guys that's just for sumorai dojo

what about ninjatsu I like to know

[Gquain]

@DragunovPK

thank you for your response!

I feel a bit more confident after hearing that even a left handed swordsman like me can succesfully learn the teachings of kendo. c(°_°C)

[Gquain]

i am a lefty...

and i am afraid that i will now need to learn how to swing my shinai with my right hand because of the tradition to always use your right hand o_O

[yurasleepless]

sensei, arigatougozaimasu

[liamandnarutoarecool]

cool i think i will do kendo now

[kaysunshine79]

Very useful lessons...  Arigatou gozai masu!

[kendoka0girl]

:D Thanks for sharing.

[cbh148]

he looks like the standard guest character on a wii

[pauri100]

Thanks for vid^^

[yangtz]

what if you're left handed? would you put the shinai on ur left side or the right?

[Cropsgrinder]

Nope, same as right handed.

You swing the same way to.

The left hand is the swinging arm, whilst right arm controls the sword, and stops it.

Same if you're left handed.

[voske44]

yeah i'm lefthanded, it's gotta be diffrent right like in tennis or fencing

[KHRaccoon]

always left, always grip the sword with left hand on bottom

[horimonobaby]

you have a maori accent

[dralzy1234]

more of an Australian me thinks.

[megaben99]

what is kendo?

p.s. it looks like the japan version of fencing, but with swords insteadt of foils.

cool video, i love japan!

[rcrookes49]

Great video!!! Thank you!

[TheSand19]

another question is this expensibe !!!

[TheSand19]

oh excuseme pardon my ignorance but can you become a samurai by watching dvds like this one i would like to know a truly an onest answer thanks!!

[fellbeast17]

i'm starting kendo in 1 hour 30mins i am so exited!

[SolomonBUSHIDO]

I'm seriously thinking about taking up kendo

[Hennerz267]

me too, i have it on my wii but man it seems so fun!!

[zooyorktrooper]

it is fun man ive been in freestyle kendo for about three years

[tekn0drew]

i just started... its hard but rewarding

[Sasukhana]

Lol, you had to keep raising your hakama. But, it does block the view of your feet, so the people learning can't see xD. In the art I'm doing, there is a lot to do with feet, and since my sensei wears his hakama, he has to raise it for us 8th and 7th kyus. Btw, what rank are you at? 1st, 2nd 3rd, etc. dan?

[Chozo003]

Excellent video, thank you!

[boatoflol]

when sitting in Sonkyo, are my knees supposed to touch the ground? Or just like 10 inches from the ground?

[RykkerNighteyes]

they are not on the ground. it is like a squatting position with your ankles together

[boatoflol]

ahhh okay, thx for helping

[JapanMonkeyHunter]

but if US start the 3rd world war..

u ganna die by someone's buliet..

[sanjuro913]

rather die with pride following what this one beleives, then die like a stray dog with my tail between my legs.

[dragonmoon12]

i have always been into swords and martal arts for a long time, but i have never been able to have the privlage of learning how to. As well, there are no dojos around my area where i can learn hands on with kendo; so this is the only way i can learn. Oh well, like the saying goes "you do with what you got and be satisfied' so i'm happy

[jpark0906]

i have a lot of trouble sitting in that position because it starts hurting in the back of my right leg and so i have to put more weight on my left one which is really frustrating as im taking kendo soon and i cannot even sit in an etiquette position :\

[fightmate]

dam..... kendo aren't like any other martial art, can't be learn over a video must put in practice in a club

[feralchains]

...thats exactly like other martial arts...you cant learn from a video, with some rare exceptions, and you need at least a partner if not a teacher, or at least thats how it was back in karate, and juijutsu.

[fightmate]

i think the others are like, bare handed so u can just train but this u actually need a sword and stuff, and most importantly u need a dummy lolz

[feralchains]

well juijutsu is imposible to practice alone since its grappling, but yea striking arts you can practice alone, especially kata in karate ^_^ fightings fun though so its better with a partner

[fightmate]

lol ur lucky to learn any martial arts, my mum won't let me go cuz she thinks i'll bash ppl up......

[feralchains]

well im 20 so my mum dont have a say ^_^ but id show her jujutsu its safer and easier on your joints than other martial arts, and you can tell her its just like wrestling if she still wont let you id say take up boxing you can learn it by watching, a partner would help but you can use shadowboxing in place of sparing, ^_^

[fightmate]

lol boxing is just not the thing, i want to know something unique and special

[Joeri12]

Then you should develop your own style ^_^

[uzumakibarrage101]

my lil bro is a dummy you can borrow him...... as long ur not a pedophile.

[Chownz]

You can never be too old or too young to start! I'm nearly 40 and been doing Kendo for only seven months, and really enjoy it, go for it!!

[Seanuk]

I totally agree - We have a shodan who is 60+ Age is of no concern.

[EmbodiedDespair]

I have always wanted to learn Iaido, and have discovered something called "Shinkendo"

Do you have an opinion on the style? It seems to be a combination of Iaido and Kendo techniques.

[dojo2go]

You are not too young to start kendo at the age of 15. In Japan, we start kendo as young as 4 or 5 years old. I started kendo at the age of 7. My sensei started kendo at the age of 15. And now he is 7th dan and a main kendo instructor (shihan) of a Japanese university. Go for it!

[onewaytosavetheday]

@dojo2go I'm 18 years old and I want to start Kendo for the first time. But a few people keep telling me I am too old, however I really, really am interested in doing it. Do you think I am too old?

[mythicdawn12]

I'm interested in learning kendo. It's alright to start when you're 15 right? It's not like, weird or something?

[Wundai]

Indeed the Mokuso was virtually the same as the Jiu-Jitsu Mokuso, only some phrases are added here in Kendo.

Thanks, now we westeners finally know how to say it properly :P

[dojo2go]

The those terms are pretty hard to remember and pronounce. Good to be a help.

[superlord282]

he reminds me of a guy in south park.He says ok alot 2 lol.nice video btw^^

[dojo2go]

I don't know which character :) Glad that you liked the video!

[AdultComedyIsCool123]

@dojo2go, If you still want to know what character from south park superlord282 is comparing you in the video is I'll tell you he is comparing to that school counciler with the big head and tight tie who say m'kay alot you know Mr Mackey PS your kendo teaching is really good and your doing it in the traditional way that kendo has alway been taught

[eogh]

do you only do this or do u do other arts such as jiu-jitsu and other this is very helpful subscribed

[dojo2go]

I only do kendo. I have done Iaido and Naginata for a while but since I moved around a lot, I had to stop learning Iaido and Naginata. Good to be a help!

[EmbodiedDespair]

This is, hands down, the best Kendo training video I have seen.

Before you learn to swing the sword....

[dojo2go]

Thanks for your comment and compliment!

[kendoka666]

thank you for these videos dojo2go its always good to come right back to the basics and brush up lol gday from budokan academy perth western australia

[dojo2go]

Cheers for your comment. I cannot agree more. It is always good to go back to the basics.

[IronMessican]

i do kendo

but its the korean kendo

not a big difference

just japanese

i really want to learn japanese

planning on leaving to a japanese kendo school

TEACH ME :D

i know all the up to the chin strike! :D

ive in it for a year and im a decent student :D

[kendoka666]

chin strike?

do you mean tsuki? if you cant even say the correct strikes i doubt you should even be doing them. after 1 year of kendo you should really only be starting to learn about sashi cuts well each club is different i guess

[sasukefido]

u should do a vid where u show how to put bogu

[CrystalChord2010]

This is very useful to me! I'm planning to take Kendo lessons when I'm off of school, and I want to have at least a basic understanding before then.

Your accent is so interesting, by the way: I like it a lot! ^^

[lunchboxx2121]

can any body do kendo or do have to be small cuz i am 300lbs

[wondercedos]

how old do you have to be to start going to clubs?

[dojo2go]

My dojo used to tell us that we should have been older than 7 years old. But children start kendo at 4 or 5 years old. Some kids start at the age of 3. Some say it is too early others say it is ok.

[kendoka666]

my mates son trains with us hes 7 now but he started at 6

[jjjevy]

soooo thaaank's for this video! it helped me a lot! ^^

[dojo2go]

You're welcome! Glad to be a help!

[Chownz]

Kia ora, thank you for the very helpful videos, they will greatly help me in improving my kendo. Ka kite from New Zealand

[dojo2go]

Tena koe, Chownz. You're welcome.

I don't know which kendo club in NZ you belong to but as far as I know these clubs in NZ are all great. I miss kiwis. Looking forwards to going back there and talking to my mates :)

[nekillo1983]

Really interesting video.Thank you very much for posting it!!

[dojo2go]

You're very welcome :)

[JBK093]

how long do you do mokuso?

i lead the dojo once and i was too nervous to notice how long i was going. after, some people said i did it too short...;

[dojo2go]

If you do the proper breathing, 3 breathings take about 45 sec to 1 minute. Do it a bit longer than 1 1/2 minutes as a start. 3 minutes sound right to me. So 10 breathigs. It depends on who are training too, I think. It is hard for beginners to sit in seiza for a long time. So adjust the length of mokuso for everyone.

There will be an article about breathing in kendo at kendo-guide website. Come and check it out!

[phreakinsane]

Arigato Gozaimashita! Very informative and awsome! Thankyou for making the video! :D

[dojo2go]

You're welcome. Glad that you liked the videos. You can visit kendo-guide website for more videos and articles. Thanks!

[dojo2go]

You're welcome!

[starrynight55]

Thank you for making these awesome videos!

[tritonol]

I tried to find a Kendo dojo but could not find one close enough so I ended up doing Aikido and made it to Shodan. Good video,, nothing beats the basics

[dojo2go]

I am sure Aikido and Kendo share a lot in common.

You may be able to find a dojo near you in the future.

Good luck!

[dojo2go]

Doitahsimashite. Do not forget to visit kendo-guide website. There are articles too.

[redrouge987]

thnks very much!

[soyuz79]

Domo, arigato guzymas!!.. lookin forward for more videos...seiza is easy to me but I have no balance!!..

[redrouge987]

Hi, im interested in starting kendo, but my nearest club is about 4 hours away from where i live. Is it possible to learn a sport like this on your own? I wouldnt think so, but i dont know much about it so i thought i should ask you guys. Thanks.

[Picmeo]

I think in this martial art you NEED a sensei. You might think you're doing a movement well, but may be you're wrong. For example, just to learn how to take the shinai in the right way... omg!

[redrouge987]

Oh ok. Thanks for the reply.