From: cescript@mtu.edu (Charles Scripter)
Subject: Re: Kendo Newbie Question
Organization: Michigan Technological University
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 19:08:40 GMT

In article <1992Dec30.162306.12192@cbfsb.cb.att.com>, osan@cbnewsb.cb.att.com
(Mr. X) writes:

> In article <hurd.725661494@sfu.ca> hurd@fraser.sfu.ca (Peter L. Hurd) writes:
> >Hi, I'm planning on taking up Kendo after an intercontinental move this
> >month, and have some questions.
> >
> >Like,
> >
> >  What will I be expected to bring to the dojo?  Will a gi suffice or is
> >armour required?  

I would recommend you initially just visit the dojo and watch a pratice.
After that, if you decide to stay, most instructors will ask you to buy
a Shinai (the bamboo sword).  A Gi and Hakama is extra expense that may
not be necessary immediately; Usually "sweats" are adequate for practice,
but ask your instructor...  In fact, it might be useful to wear sweats
to your first visit; The instructor may ask you to come practice.

> >If armour is required is it wisest to buy it in Sweden,
> >or might it be cheaper to buy it in Vancouver and mail it across?  Same Q
> >for other obvious equipment (such as the bamboo sword whose propper name
> >keeps falling out of my head).
> 
> 	You will probably not need the armor for a while since you should
> 	be spending your first month or two (at least!) learning the basic
> 	strikes (not as easy as it sounds).  If they have you a	xabanging away
> 	right off, I'd say there was something seriously wrong with the
> 	instruction, though I could be wrong .

Absolutely correct on both points.  It's normal for "beginners" to
spend 2 or 3 weeks learning to walk correctly...  (assuming you're
on the fast track... ;-).  After that, you learn the basic cut(s),
though generally without a human target.  When you start to gain
control of your basic cuts, you'll then start to cut Shomen (the head)
on other students (who are in armor, of course ;-).  Perhaps in 6-8
months, you might be put into armor.  This calendar depends greatly
on your instructor; Some instructors like to spend more time drilling
in the basics, before adding another distraction.

Gi and Hakama are other distractions, so your instructor may not push
for you to buy the immediately.  I was wearing armor before I purchased
my Gi and Hakama.

> 	As for armor,  stuff like that seems to be very expensive in Europe.
> 	I'd try to get a handle on prices here and there before making any
> 	decision.  Here, you can get workable armor for around $400.  That
> 	is not top notch stuff, but should be serviceable for several years.

In fact, the $400 is down around the bottom of the price scale.  You can
spend an arbitrary amount on armor...  Many clubs have armor which can
be borrowed for practice; Again, this depends on the dojo.  It's fairly
customary (at least in the midwest Kendo Federation) to push students to
think about armor when they reach Shodan level...

> 	A good shinai is probably worth the money, though.  It will be strong
> 	and well balanced.  Shinai will run you anywhere from about $14 to
> 	$350, depending on quality, or percieved quality.  

I've generally been as happy with $15-20 Shinai as more expensive ones.
Your instructor will show your how to prepare it for use (usually you
sand the inside surfaces, and wax it with paraffin).  After that, you
generally examine and repair the Shinai after every practice (I've never
broken more than 4 Shinai in one practice ;-).

If you've got lots of money, you can buy a carbon-graphite Shinai for
somewhere around $250.  These are nearly indestructible, and you can
by replacement parts for them, also.  I would stick with the cheapies
until you learn not to break them, however.  When you become more skillful,
you can buy a carbon Shinai, and use it for 2-3 years (they do eventually
fracture).

-- 
Charles Scripter   *   cescript@phy.mtu.edu
Dept of Physics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931
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