Kendo
Fencing with bamboo swords in Japanese armour, striking head, wrist and body.
- To start
- $60
- Each month
- $40
- Time
- 3 hours a week
- Sessions
- 1.5 hours or more
- Where
- A specialist venue
- Who with
- With one other person
Is it for you?
- It rewards care and fine detail.
- There's a real game to win.
- It gets your body properly working.
- It keeps you off screens.
You’ll like it if
- You want to get really good at something
- You want to meet people
- You want to keep your brain sharp
Maybe not if
- You would rather not get hit
- There is no specialist venue near you
- You want to enjoy it from day one
What it feels like
KendoAverage sport & Fitness hobbyBefore you buy
Rent or borrow gear at the venue for your first few sessions, before you buy anything.
Your first session
Join a beginners' class with a borrowed bamboo sword and learn footwork and the basic overhead strike, no armour yet.
Questions
How much does kendo cost to start?
About $60 if you rent or borrow where people usually do, then about $40 a month once you are going.
How much time does kendo take?
About 3 hours a week to enjoy it and get better, in sessions of 1.5 hours or more.
Where do people do kendo?
At a specialist venue, mostly found in cities.
Is kendo good for beginners?
It takes a bit more setting up than most hobbies. A good first session: Join a beginners' class with a borrowed bamboo sword and learn footwork and the basic overhead strike, no armour yet.
Do I need other people for kendo?
You need one other person, like a partner or an opponent.