THE CENTER FOR BLADE ARTS
Kendo
Japanese Sword Art
About Minnehaha Kendo Dojo
Minnehaha Kendo Dojo was started in 1995 by Bob Cochran, Sensei. We are a part of the Midwest Kendo federation and practice traditional Japanese kendo. We often attend tournaments and seminars around the Midwest and will on occasion bring in guest instructors.
Kendo is the Japanese martial art of swordsmanship using bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bogu). At Minnehaha Kendo Dojo, we focus on building strong fundamentals for which all advanced techniques rest on and for which advancement in rank and success in tournaments are essential. We place an emphasis on training hard, training correctly, and having fun all while following traditional Japanese etiquette. Kendo, like all martial arts, is a great way to build character, discipline, and confidence.
NEW STUDENTS
We are always accepting new members and encourage newcomers to watch a practice and ask questions afterwards before they participate. We accept all students ages 8 and up. Take a look at our site and beginner’s guide for a few basics in kendo etiquette and what you can expect as you begin your kendo journey.
Getting Started
We limit new students to Saturday classes until they have an understanding of the basics so that they are able to learn at their own pace.
On your first day practicing with us, you should wear comfortable workout clothes- shorts and a t-shirt. We can provide a shinai (bamboo sword) for you to borrow as you start. We do have new shinai available for purchase for $30. That is all that is required to start practicing with us.
Beginners will learn the very basics of kendo that will build the foundation for everything taught afterwards. You will focus on:
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Etiquette
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Footwork
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Posture and stance
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Basic strikes
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Equipment maintenance
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Repetitive drills
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Months 1-3: Entirely focused on the basics mentioned above.
Months 4-6: Participate in the regular practice, where you will learn from other members in full armor. You will use what you learned previously and build on that with more advanced drills.
Months 6 and onward: Put on your armor! Participate in regular practice wearing bogu. Again, you will use what you have learned and slowly build on that by participating in all the drills that the rest of the dojo practices. You will also get to start sparring; when doing so with other advanced members, you will be encouraged to attack often and use all the techniques you’ve previously worked on.
It is important to note that everyone learns at a different pace and that is ok. The timeline above is a rough estimate. How often you attend practice will have a significant impact on the timeline and the pace at which you learn.
COMMON KENDO TERMINOLOGY
This is a list of some of the basic terminology that you will hear as you begin kendo practice. As you continue through your study, you are encouraged to seek additional sources for further terms and information.
ETIQUETTE
Rei: Rei is a bow. It is also etiquette and gratitude. When you get in to the dojo, you bow in and when you get out of the dojo, you bow out.
Rei-gi: Matters of etiquette.
Sonkyo: The crouching position which begins and ends each bout.
Seiza: A sitting position on one’s knees with your butt resting on your heels.
EQUIPMENT
Bogu: Protective armor consisting of the men (helmet), kote (gauntlets), do (chest protector), and tare (waste protector).
Shinai: Bamboo sword consisting of 4 bamboo staves. Men’s shinai is 39 inches while women’s shinai is 38 inches in length.
Tenugui: Also called hachimaki. A light cotton towel worn on the head under the men.
Keikio-gi: Practice clothing worn like a jacket.
Hakama: A long divided skirt-like trousers.
PRACTICE
Hajime: Begin
Kiai: A shout expressing one’s spirit
Kamae: A basic stance
Suburi: Repeated strikes of various kinds against no opponent
Yame: Stop
Zanshin: Mental and physical readiness. Particularly after completing an attack