FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS..

DO YOU HAVE AGE AND HEALTH RESTRICTIONS?

If you are in good health, you can learn and practice kendo at any age. However, we recommend that children wait until they are 6 or 7 years old before starting. This is due to the younger children's inability to concentrate for extended periods of time. The oldest students is 73 years old(as of 2024) who just received 5 dan. If you have any health problems or concerns (e.g., asthma, heart conditions, high blood pressure, etc.), as with any exercise program, please consult a doctor before starting Kendo. Currently, our students range in age from 6 to 73. ESPORTA FITNESS however restricts to 13 years old to join the club.

HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST?

Since this is a non-profit club, we do not charge any fee. However donation is appreciated. Here are some of the costs

• Federation joining fee : As of April 1, 2024, $123. Normally, we ask you to join once you wear bogu

• Testing Fee: You pay only when you test

• Competition Fee: You pay only when you compete

• Gym membership: Currently we practice at Esporta. They charge about $30/month

I am Very Interested in Kendo Because I just saw..(select movie)..Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kill Bill or The Last Samurai. When will we be working on fancy sword work like that? Will Kendo be just as exciting as the movie?

Tampa Kendo Club is a traditional Kendo Dojo that strictly focuses on the fundamentals of Kendo. As a beginner, you will perform the same fundamental drills to learn etiquette, footwork, and how to correctly swing the shinai and bokuto. Please note that you will not wear bogu (armor) for at least 4-6 months.

Be aware that you will not be practicing in a field or against a sunset background, and there will be no flashy sword work such as spinning the sword, two-sword techniques, or flying kicks taught. We do not teach the type of swordsmanship seen on movie screens. While entertaining, that type of swordsmanship is based on cinematic stunt choreography and differs greatly from the actual practice and lifelong study of the art of Kendo




AS A BEGINNER, WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO PRACTICE ?

We suggest you wear comfortable loose fitting clothing such as shorts and a t-shirt.

WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO I NEED ?

A beginning kendoka will need to purchase a shinai. You can purchase your shinai directly from www.e-bogu.com, https://californiabudogu.com, or https://kendostar.com. We may be able to lend you a shinai in the first couple of classes, but you will eventually need to purchase your own. As a beginner, you will need to buy a 'complete kendo shinai with leather parts. DO NOT BUY FROM EBAY OR AMAZON !!!!


SHINAI SIZE REGULATION

Adult male: Size 39
Adult female: Size 38

Ages & Recommended Shinai Size

4-6 years old: Size 32
7-9 years old: Size 34
10-12 years old: Size 36
13-15 years old: Size 37

HOWEVER, THIS SHINAI SIZE MAY DIFFER DEPENDS ON YOUR HEIGHT AND WEIGHT. PLEASE CONSULT WITH SENSEI OR SEMPAI BEFORE YOU PURCHASE SHINAI

Shinai Price: Approx. $30~100, including shipping

WEHN SHOULD I PURCHASE AND WEAR UNIFORM (KEIKOGI AND HAKAMA) ?

During the beginner phase, we suggest wearing T-shirts and shorts. This is to avoid any additional investment by the student should they wish to discontinue studying kendo soon after enrolling due to work schedules, relocation, change of heart, etc

Recommended Kendo Stores

www.ebogu.com: Located in LA

www.alljapanbudogu.com: Located in Japan

https://californiabudogu.com, Located in LA

https://kendostar.com/, Located in UK

Uniform Price: Approx. $70~$300

WHEN CAN I WEAR ON THE BOGU? WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET INTO BOGU(ARMOR)?

Our Head Instructor or senpai will determine when a new student will move into the advanced class and when they shall start wearing bogu. The fundamentals of Kendo must be learned first, and the muscles used in Kendo must be developed and become strong enough to withstand the rigors of practice.


Bogu Costs

Beginner: $450~$600

Advanced: $700~$2000

Most beginners buy beginners bogu set and upgrade to higher quality as they advanced. Please consult with sensei before you purchase bogu. Even beginners bogu set should last 5-10 years. Kote is the most common parts that worn out.

Memo to Parents and Guardians of students under the age of 15:

Members under the age of 15 are required to have a parent or guardian present at the practice location during practice times. The instructors at Tampa Kendo Dojo endeavor to apply our years of practice to teaching your children. We understand the importance of teaching them the etiquette expected in the dojo and will do so with patience and tact. We kindly request that parents remind their children before practice to pay attention and treat the instructors with respect

WHAT IS COMMON INJURIES ?

Even though Kendo is a full-contact sport, it likely has a lower rate of injury compared to most martial arts. Kendoka rarely incur injuries worse than a bruise, although there are exceptions, of course. The most common injuries are blistered or torn feet, bruised forearms, and ribs. A bruised heel is probably the most common injury that prevents practice, followed by plantar fasciitis. A torn Achilles tendon is the most serious common injury; thankfully, I've only seen one of those. Personally, I've had various bruises, including on the heel, tendinitis in the rotator cuff, a bruised tendon sheath, or possibly tendinitis in the wrist, and the occasional thump to the windpipe back when I had the bad habit of coming in with my chin up.

A correct shinai blow that lands on target, i.e., on the armor, shouldn't hurt. However, a heavy-handed cut driven by too much muscle, which is typical of a beginner's stroke, can hurt a bit, especially if the armor is old and soft. The shinai itself is designed to flex and absorb the blow. A cut that misses the armor causes no worse than a bruise, although it certainly can hurt at the time. Also, make sure to cut your toenails, as long nails can not only hurt yourself but others as well.