Everything you need to know before stepping onto the dojo floor for the first time.
Kendo (剣道), meaning "Way of the Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art that evolved from traditional samurai swordsmanship. Practitioners use bamboo swords (shinai) and wear protective armour (bogu) to engage in disciplined sparring. It is as much a mental discipline as a physical one — developing focus, respect, and perseverance.
For your first session you don't need any specialist equipment. Wear comfortable sports clothing you can move freely in — a t-shirt and jogging bottoms are ideal. No specialist footware is needed as we practice bare foot. We will provide shinai (bamboo swords) for beginners to use during the course.
Your first session will introduce you to the etiquette and culture of the dojo, basic footwork (ashisabaki), and fundamental striking techniques (suburi). Don't worry about getting everything right — everyone starts from the same place and our instructors will guide you through every step.
Our beginner course runs over several weeks and covers everything you need to begin practising Kendo safely and confidently:
After completing the beginner course you will be eligible to attend our regular Sunday and Thursday sessions. As you progress you can work towards formal grading examinations (shinsa), moving through the kyu and dan ranking system under the British Kendo Association.