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Presbyterian Church
1940 Virginia St at Milvia St.
Berkeley, CA, 94704
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  • Miyata-Sensei
    Kendo Hanshi 8-Dan
  • Matsueda-Sensei
    Kendo Renshi 6-Dan
  • Ubuka-Sensei
    Kendo 5-Dan
  • Miyamoto-Sensei
    Kendo 5-Dan, Iaido 4-Dan
  • Choi-Sensei
    Kendo 4-Dan

About

What is kendo?

Kendo is the modern study of the Japanese sword. Using protective armor (bogu) and a shinai (bamboo practice sword), kenshii (Kendo practitioner) train their body and mind through rigorous practice. There are four attackable locations that students are trained in, the men (head), kote (wrist/forearm), do (stomach), and, reserved for highly trained students, the tsuki (throat). Using these attacks in combination with different techniques, students learn Japanese swordsmanship.

Unlike European fencing where a simple tap would be considered a valid point, in Kendo simply striking the opponent is not enough. Several factors are considered before a point is award, such as proper form, striking location, follow through after the attack, and spirit.

For a better idea of what Kendo consists of, please view the following video (circa a long time ago). Though since that last video has been made, Kendo has evolved greatly. For a contemporary depiction please see this video (Japanese).

How much does it cost?

Berkeley Kendo Dojo is a California non-profit organization. All of our instructors are volunteers and all fees are to pay either required federation dues or rent for our club practice space. All products our dojo sells are at cost.


Dojo Fee: $200.00 ($100.00 after July 1)
Federation Dues: $70.00
Shinai + Shinai bag: $40.00

Total Starting Fee: $310

Please note, these fees must be paid before starting Kendo. Other equipment, such as uniforms and bogu, are not necessary to begin Kendo but can be purchased from various online venders (see links). A shinai is the only item a student will need for the first few months of Kendo. We understand that many prospective students may be hesitate to pay the fees, however, please understand that our dojo runs at cost and runs solely on membership dues. If you are hesitant whether or not you really want to join Kendo, please take as much time as you like to observe our classes.

What will I learn as a beginner?

The best way to answer this question is to come to our class and see what and how our beginners learn. We strictly emphasize fundamentals and solid basics for all students, no matter what level they are or rank they have achieved. Thus all beginners will begin training in footwork before even holding a shinai. Once students have a basic understanding of the fundamental strikes they will be incorporated with the rest of the class during the conditioning portion of the practice. For the first several months, beginners will practice under instruction of a sensei to understand the key concepts of kendo before putting on any armor.

What are sensei, sempai, and kohai?

Sensei is the Japanese word for instructor. All members of our dojo are referred to as sensei once they have achieved the rank of 4-dan. Sempai and kohai are the Japanese words for senior and junior student, respectively. A sempai is anyone who has started kendo before you; a kohai is anyone who has started kendo after you (despite actual rank). We encourage all new members to actively seek advice from the sensei and senior sempai in order to improve in Kendo. This includes not only verbally, but practicing with them once you begin wearing your equipment. Everyone in our dojo will be happy to help you with whatever question you may have.

Why are all the instructors volunteers?

All instructors teach on a volunteer basis. As our own instructors before us, we believe in the value of teaching Kendo to students, spreading it to others, and the continuation of our dojo as its own reward.

What does (something in Japanese) mean?

Please refer to the Kendo dictionary provided by the Kendo America website to answer your question.

Is Kendo right for me?

To answer your question, it's probably best for you to come to one of our practices and determine for yourself. We have had members from ages 7 to 70 do Kendo. It is all dependent on one's own determination and physical capability. Despite the wide range of students' ages, we try to ensure that every member who joins our dojo gets a full workout to their appropriate level of physical ability. As always, please consult a physician if you have any medical or physical problems before beginning any new exercise routine.

How long will it take for me to receive a "black belt"?


(From our friends at the San Jose dojo)

"Contrary to popular myth, "Black belt" is not a rank in the martial arts. It was all started around 1882 by a wealthy Japanese commoner, Dr. Kano Jigoro of the Kodokan.

Dr. Kano developed a system for awarding proficiency ranks to his Judo students. The system was based on kyu, which is translated as "class" or "ungraded" ranks and dan, pronounced "don" translated as "having rank" So, the ranks are kyu and dan. The insignia worn by the kyu ranks are the different colored belts you see in many schools. The insignia worn by the dan ranks are black belts. Just as a master sergeant wears many chevrons on his shoulder as the insignia of a Master sergeants rank, he would not be called a chevron, and a General would not be called a Star. The same holds true in the martial arts,such that a person should not reffer to their or anothers rank as being a "Black Belt" as this is only an indication of the rank, not the rank itself. Got it?

The appropriate terminology for referring to those of kyu ranking is either their level of kyu, such as ii kyu, ni kyu, san kyu, or collectivly as mudansha, mu meaning literally "nothing", and the dan ranking are called yudansha, meaning person having rank, or again by their level of dan ranking.

Kendo is one of the few martial arts that does not have any visual sign of rank intigrated into a uniform. No "Black Belts", stripes, stars or colored ornaments are worn. The best practice to remember in Kendo, is to treat everyone with respect."

In Kendo, to achieve shodan, it typically takes the average adult practicing twice a week four to five years. We encourage all members to participate in the promotional exam but will only allow members who frequently attend practice to be signed up. However, it is important to note that in Kendo, unlike many other martial arts, shodan is seen simply as only a beginning to one's training rather than the end.