Tampa Kendo Dojo is a non-profit organization. We are the only official Kendo Club in Tampa Bay Area. The instructors (Sensei’s) are all volunteers. This means that we rely on dues, fundraisers and membership & family member volunteers. We also rent a space so paying membership due on timely manner is highly appreciated. We are also an affiliate of AUSFK and SEUSKF.
DO YOU HAVE AGE AND HEALTH RESTRICTIONS?
If you are in good health, you can learn and practice kendo at any age. However, we recommend that children wait until they are 6 or 7 years old before starting. This is due to the inability of younger children to concentrate for extended periods of time. If you have any health problems or concerns (i.e. asthma, heart condition, high blood pressure, etc.), as with any exercise program, please consult a doctor prior to starting Kendo. Currently our students range in age from 6 to 64.
I am Very Interested in Kendo Because I just saw..(select movie)..Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kill Bill or The Last Samurai. When will we be working on fancy sword work like that? Will Kendo be just as exciting as the movie?
Tampa Kendo Club is a traditional Kendo Dojo strictly focusing on the fundamentals of Kendo. As a beginner, you will be performing the same fundamental drills to learn etiquette, footwork, and how to correctly swing the shinai and bokuto. Please be advised that you will not be wearing bogu (armor) for at least 4-6 months. Please note that YOU WILL NOT BE practicing in a field or practicing forms against a sunset background. Additionally, THERE WILL NOT BE flashy sword work such as spinning the sword, two sword techniques or flying kicks taught. We do not teach that type of swordmanship that you see on the movie screen. It is entertaining and we enjoy those movies too, but that type of swordsmanship is based on cinematic stunt choreography and has little to do with the actual practice and lifelong study in the art of Kendo. 
AS A BEGINNER, WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO PRACTICE ?
We suggest you wear comfortable loose fitting clothing such as shorts and a t-shirt.
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO I NEED ?
A beginning kendoist will need to purchase a shinai. You may purchase your shinai directly from www.e-bogu.com. We may be able to lend you a shinai in first couple of classes but you will need to purchase your own. For beginner, you will need to buy a "complete kendo shinai with leather parts."
SHINAI SIZE REGULATION
Adult male: Size 39
Adult female: Size 38
Ages & Recommended Shinai Size
4-6 years old: Size 32
7-9 years old: Size 34
10-12 years old: Size 36
13-15 years old: Size 37
HOWEVER, THIS SHINAI SIZE MAY DIFFER DEPENDS ON YOUR HEIGHT AND WEIGHT. PLEASE CONSULT WITH SENSEI OR SEMPAI BEFORE YOU PURCHASE SHINAI
Shinai Price: Approx. $30~100, including shipping
WEHN SHOULD I PURCHASE AND WEAR UNIFORM (KEIKOGI AND HAKAMA) ?
During the beginner phase, we suggest wearing shorts. This is to avoid any extra investment by the student should they wish to discontinue studying kendo soon after they enroll due to work schedules, relocation, change of heart, etc.
Recommended Uniform:
Summer GI and #8800 Hamaka Set
Kendo Stores
www.ebogu.com: Located in LA, More choice
www.alljapanbudogu.com: Located in Japan, recommend to order Bogu. Good fit
Uniform Price: Approx. $70~$300
WHEN CAN I WEAR ON THE BOGU? WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET INTO BOGU(ARMOR)?
Our Head Instructor or sempai will make the determination on when a new student will move into the advanced class, and when they shall put on bogu. The fundamentals of Kendo must first be learned and the muscles used in Kendo must be developed and become strong enough to withstand the rigors of practice.
Bogu Costs
Beginner: $350~$600
Advanced: $700~$2000
Most beginners buy beginners bogu set and upgrade to higher quality as they advanced. Please consult with sensei before you purchase bogu. Even beginners bogu set should last 5-10 years. Kote is the most common parts that worn out.
Memo to Parents and Guardians of students under the age of 15:
Members under the age of 15 are required to have a parent or guardian at the practice location during practice times.
The instructors at Tampa Kendo Dojo endeavor to apply our years of practice to teaching your children. We accept that we will need to teach them the types of etiquette that is expected in the dojo and will do this with patience and tactfulness. The one thing we ask of the parents is that you remind your child before practice to pay attention and treat the instructors with respect.
WHAT IS COMMON INJURIES ?
Even though Kendo is full contact sports, Kendo probably has a lower rate of injury than most martial arts. Kendoka rarely incur injuries worse than a bruise, although there are exceptions of course
Most common are blistered/torn feet and bruised forearms and ribs. Bruised heel is probably the most common injury that prevents practice, after that plantar fascitis.
Torn achilles tendon is the most serious common injury, only seen one of those thank god. I've personally had all sorts of bruises including the heel, tendinitis in the rotator cuff, bruised tendon sheath or possibly tendinitis in the wrist and taken the odd thump to the windpipe back when I had the bad habit of coming in with my chin up. Nothing serious so far, thank goodness, and that's in nearly 6 years of practice.
A correct shinai blow which lands on target, ie on the armor, should't hurt. A heavy handed cut driven by too much muscle, a typical beginner's stroke, can hurt a bit, more so if the armor is old and soft. The shinai itself is designed to flex and absorb the blow. A cut which misses the armor causes no worse than a bruise, although it certainly can hurt at the time.
Also, make sure to cut your toe nails as long nails can not only hurt yourself but others too.
Kendo foot blisters
A common injury for many beginners are foot blisters. Blisters are a result of tender skin being in contact with and subjected to tremendous friction with the floor. Pay careful attention to the condition of your feet before each practice.
For more information of common injuries, please take your time to read this website:
http://www.bestkendo.com/kendo-injuries.html
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