r/kendo

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! 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 🥲

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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✨

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.

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 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?

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!

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 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 :(

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.

https://preview.redd.it/t56zooyk6yih1.png?width=1000&format=png&auto=webp&s=71f5f5c545e40cec3cb425d8ba5ea417f6fbab22

Anyone find this to Check it out heree.