[Texdolley]

May i ask where you got your do? I have a friend in my dojo that is a bigger guy, and we're having trouble tracking down bogu that fits.

Hi Mr. Donigan... Most Boguya will supply Dohs for the 'fuller figured kendoka'... you just have to ask...

I got my Bogu from Moribudo (Tokyo) and dealt with them purely via e-mail and fax (although I did phone them once as well).

Their service is excellent, Mr. Nobuo Mori and his staff are extremely helpful, the bogu is superb and the prices are very reasonable...

Their site is at http://www.moribudo.co.jp and I would thoroughly recommend them.

They also have a great catalogue and will include an English translation if you request it (best via e-mail...).

Hope this helps... let me know / PM me if I can help any further...

Cheers

[VowJoyday]

-Is previous martial arts training required to learn Kendo?

Not at all! Actually, previous MA training can at times be a detriment rather than an advantage...

-Is a shinai required apon first starting? I know that a bogu isnt. I know that it takes time, training, and skill to work up to bogu. (its like that with pointe shoes, believe me, i can deffiently wait ^_^)

While owning one is not required initially, you will need it for practice. Depending on your dojo, there will usually be some extras you can borrow for the first few practices, but in time, you will need purchase your own. Check out www.e-bogu.com for some. Some dojo will also require you to purchase a bokken at the same time as your shinai, ask your sensei.

-Im a very small framed girl, will this be a problem at all? also-do alot of girls practice kendo? I might feel a tad odd in the changing room... = D

Size is not as overwhelming a problem in kendo as in some other MA. While a larger or stronger person can hit harder, hitting harder and causing pain won't help you win. Technique and fighting spirit is everything.

-Where should/could i look up a place to train in, say, the yellow book? Under martial arts? If i can not find a place, would calling a reptuable martial arts center help?

http://www.auskf.info/mainpages/schools.htm is a good place to start.

-When first starting, what kind of clothing is usually worn to class? Things that are loose or tight fitted to where they can see your placement and form?

To quote the dojo I attend:
"Loose fitting sweats or a track suit are fine. Judo or Karate uniforms also work well if you have them. For safety reasons, jewellery should not be worn."

But ask your sensei. Usually, they want to see your feet to correct footwork. Footwork's important.

-What are the general basic ideas in Kendo? How does it work exactly?

It is the discipline where... O heck, two guys/gals with bamboo swords and protection try to hit each other till someone wins... at the ver base of it anyway... see here: http://www.mississauga-kendo-club.ca/kendo.html for a much better explaination.

Enjoy kendo!

[ElisasAUG]

(I didnt see any other appropriate forum to post this)

Im not going to lie, im completely and utterly new to this. as in, I havnt even started to look for a dojo to train, nor do I have any back ground in martial arts.
Im just a girl who has admired Kendo from afar....way afar.

Turning 20, and being kicked out of my ballet company, I feel myself needing, i dont know...something more i guess? My interest in Kendo has always been there, but logging 8-9 hours a day with co...well, there just isnt any time for things like this. Now i have that time and figured i would presue another crazy dream.

I have a few questions, that i know have probably been posted before. I know from being a long term member on a dance forum that re-writting answers to questions like these gets tireing after awhile. So even if someone will link me to their previous answers they gave, to helpful stickys, faqs and other things of this nature-i will be truly greatful.

Ok-off with the blabbering, on with the questions!

-Is previous martial arts training required to learn Kendo?

-Is a shinai required apon first starting? I know that a bogu isnt. I know that it takes time, training, and skill to work up to bogu. (its like that with pointe shoes, believe me, i can deffiently wait ^_^)

-Im a very small framed girl, will this be a problem at all? also-do alot of girls practice kendo? I might feel a tad odd in the changing room... = D

-Where should/could i look up a place to train in, say, the yellow book? Under martial arts? If i can not find a place, would calling a reptuable martial arts center help?

-When first starting, what kind of clothing is usually worn to class? Things that are loose or tight fitted to where they can see your placement and form?

-What are the general basic ideas in Kendo? How does it work exactly?


Thank you so much for putting up with this beginners questions. I really appreciate it.

Oh and if i put this in the wrong forum, let me know. Thank you. Looking forward to replies

Elizabeth

[PyncGyncliacy]

I did a search on the forum and on Google for 'Answers to stupid questions', but couldn't find any... Hmmmmm ... A quick Google search on "Answers to stupid questions" resulted in 2,130,000 hits. Since you couldn't find any within that many choices, you either haven't figured out how to use Google or you misspelled it. Either way, it ties into what Wes Nazo said.

[enteltcheft]

...Keep us posted and don't feel intimidated about asking inappropriate questions... the only stupid question is the one you forget to ask !

Cheers

Actually, there are stupid questions. And, posting them may incur my wrath.

[Ruilnasr]

dont worry about it. your new. everyone makes mistakes.

glad you're excited to start kendo. as you have already discovered, the FAQ boards are the best place to look if your a beginner.

i know that our dojo has many girls in it so it should not be a problem at all. and as long as your changing in the girls changing room and not the boys, what is there to feel odd about.

oh and by the way, before you start asking questions typical of a beginner, please note to always ask your sensei. (i should really put that in my signiture because i say it so often)

anyway, hope you enjoy kendo! oh and welcome to the forums!

[astefecyAvevy]

I also hope you meant "I'm sure you'll enjoy it" as opposed to "not enjoy it".

Anyone who has the right spirit is bound to be addicted after a few weeks of practice

Edit: didn't see the second page

[LesLattis]

Its called the death grip, and its frightening

no comment.

besides it wouldn't be right to discuss such things. I just want to know, where were the 19 year old ex-ballet kendo women when I started back in 1994?

[tigoCeree]

-Is previous martial arts training required to learn Kendo?

-Is a shinai required apon first starting? I know that a bogu isnt. No, club will usually lend you one

-Im a very small framed girl, will this be a problem at all? also-do alot of girls practice kendo? I might feel a tad odd in the changing room... = D Amount of girls varies from place to place, but they are a minority.


-Where should/could i look up a place to train in, say, the yellow book? Under martial arts? If i can not find a place, would calling a reptuable martial arts center help? Go here:
www.kendo-usa.org


-When first starting, what kind of clothing is usually worn to class? Things that are loose or tight fitted to where they can see your placement and form?[/QUOTE

Whatever you can move around in comfortably. Loose fitting is normally recommended.

[QUOTE -What are the general basic ideas in Kendo? How does it work exactly? Well, you get a stick and then you try to whack the other person on the head.


Ok, so there's a lot more to it than that, but go and watch a practice...it should give you a better idea than I can describe here.

Jakob

[tyclislavaify]

welcome to kendo. I'm sure you'll not ejoy it, but do very well with those dancer's legs. Be sure to let us know how your search for something more goes.

mr donigan! was that sarcasm or do you need to watch your manners?

if it was sarcasm. heh

if it was bad manners, be polite!

dont discourage a newbie

[Tzqowwyt]

I am 47 years old, 6'3" and weigh in at a considerable poundage (which I will not share in a public forum !!!)...

May i ask where you got your do? I have a friend in my dojo that is a bigger guy, and we're having trouble tracking down bogu that fits.

[taesrom]

First of all, I am sorry you have to leave Ballet company. It must be tough for you. In Kendo, no one will kick you out unless you kick yourself out. Please read our FAQ section. You will found most answers. I guess this FAQ are pretty same across the USA except schedule and fee...

http://www.gulfcoastkendo.com/faq.htm

Good luck !!!