**If you want to try kendo out but it is the middle of the term, get in touch via Instagram, WhatsApp, or E-mail and we will discuss your options**
Welcome to Kendo Club!
We are happy to see you are interested in the amazing world of Kendo. What is Kendo you say? Kendo is a martial art which utilises a "shinai" (bamboo replacement of the japanese katana) to engage in full-contact sword-fighting. For protection we use "bogu" (armour) which heavily reduces (and usually completely removes) any physical sensation of pain that would usually be felt if struck without the armour. Kendo's roots can be traced back to the Japanese samurai and therefore much of the etiquette and rules in Kendo trace their way back to old Samurai traditions and behaviours.
Kendo is also much more. The Japanese word for Kendo is comprised of two components - "Ken", meaning "sword", and "Do", meaning "way". Therefore Kendo can be translated as "the way of the sword". Kendo isn't all about fighting and winning. Kendo is also about fostering the human mind and spirit through the lessons and wisdom the sword can teach us. The following is taken from the British Kendo Association website and perfectly represents the spirit of Kendo:
Concept
Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana.
Purpose
To mold the mind and body.
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo.
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor.
To associate with others with sincerity.
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus will one be able:
To love ones country and society.
To contribute to the development of culture
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
Kendo is a sport open to absolutely everyone, no matter your sex, gender, religion, or race. We all practice together on equal footing and strive to be better both as humans and as kendo practitioners. If you want to experience part of the remaining samurai culture of Japan, if you want to learn to grow yourself as a person by learning more about the way of the sword, or if you simply want to learn how to bonk people on the head with a sword then Kendo is definitelly for you! What if you are none of the above? Then don't worry Kendo is still definitely for you too - we all find different meaning and motivation behind what we do and why we do it. So, come along to one of our many free taster sessions to come and experience the world of Kendo!!!
Memberships
As a new society, our main source of funding will be from everyone that wants to do Kendo. As such, membership prices have been set in a way that minimises costs to members and allows us to buy the neccessary equipment needed for practice.
Semeser-1 Membership - £15; This tier makes you an official member of the club which makes you eligible to partake in all practice sessions as well as participate in member only events and outings for the first semester.
Full Membership - £50; This tier comes with your own personal shinai, which you get to keep! It also grants access to our exclusive trade discount from Leicester Martial Arts Superstore, which members can use to purchase their Kendo gear once ready to committ! Friday sessions for members of this tier are free!
Experienced Kendoka Membership - £20; This tier is meant for people who already have some experience and would not benefit as much from the beginner sessions and receiving a new shinai. (Although it is never bad to practice fundamentals! :D )
Practice sessions
University sessions
The sessions are run by Alex Coley, 5th dan, who is also teaching at the already existing dojo in Leicester, Gaku shi juku kendo kai.
Location: Roger Bettles Sports Centre "Studio 2" (Next to Student Village)
Time: 17:30 to 18:30 every Friday.
Price: £2 for Semester-1 membership holders; Free for Full Membership holders. (Non-members can't participate)
How to Purchase?: Purchase tickets from events tab. (If you are a yearly membership holder please buy the free ticket to register attendance so we know who to expect)
Free Practice
This session does not include formal teaching. It is meant for practicing the concepts and movements taught on Monday and Friday, therefore we will not have formal teaching. Senior kendoka will provide some structure for the practice but will not assume the position of sensei.
Location: Roger Bettles Sports Centre "Studio 2" (Next to Student Village)
Time: 15:30 to 17:00 every Wednesday.
Price: Free for all members; Non-members interested in trying out kendo can come watch and get some insight into what we do in kendo. INQUIRE BEFORE ARRIVAL VIA E-MAIL OR INSTAGRAM!
Aditional Monday sessions (not for complete beginners)
If you already have some experience (e.g., have done some kendo before) you can join the monday sessions at Gaku Shi Juku Kendo Kai, where we practice with people outside of the university as well. Note this is separate to our university activies, although we will all organise to travel to and from the dojo together,
Location: Top Floor Studio, Unit 36 Faircharm Trading Estate, Leicester, LE3 2BU
Time: 19:00 - 19:55 every Monday
Price: £5 each session
How to Purchase?: Money can be sent directly to the dojo (get in touch for more information)
Note: The entire price for this course goes to the local dojo! They are a non for profit club entirely dedicated to the practicing and teaching of Kendo. All money goes towards paying for the hire of the dojo and to maintain membership to the British Kendo Association. Any extra is used to buy equipment for everyone to use and reduce costs to all members. If you want to join these sessions you need to register with the BKA which you can do via this link: https://www.britishkendoassociation.com/membershiptypes/ . Doing so will make sure you are insured while practicing, as well as give you access to any dojo, any grading, any seminar and any competition in the country! (it should be £25 (central registation fee and kendo bu fee) + £10 one time registration fee; the membership last 1 year from the day you got it.)
Contacts
We have Instagram (@uolkendo) and a whatsapp group (request to be added) where we keep everyone updated on what is happening with events, practice sessions, and casual hangouts. For any questions or queries please contact us via direct message on instagram, joining and messaging the whatsapp group or using our university e-mail at su-kendo@le.ac.uk (we don't take breaks so please don't worry about contacting us at an "inconvenient time" - no such thing!!)
Wait, you are already hooked and can't wait to do more Kendo?
Well, great news!! There is another dojo in Leicester called Gaku Shi Juku Kendo Kai. In fact, the sensei there have been extremely nice to offer to help teach at uni as well. So, if you love Kendo and want to do lots and lots of Kendo, then speak to the people over at Gaku Shi Juku! All their information is available at: https://leicesterkendo.com/