To start Kendo there is no need to go out and buy your own equipment right away! Our dojo has plenty of equipment in stock and for rent when you're ready to use it. Please contact one of our dojo representatives before visiting our class because it will ensure that we will have practice on that date and necessary forms on hand.

Beginners are taught seperate from the rest of the class personally by Miyata-sensei. He believes that the best way to mold a good kenshi later is to make sure he or she has good fundamentals now. If fundamentals are taught correctly in the beginning, a person can only do good Kendo and improve much faster than with someone whose fundamentals must be corrected often.

Coming to practice often will yield the best results, if one can not make a commitment to attend at least once a week, he/she should not try to take Kendo. Unlike many other martial arts, kendo isn't one where you can just "jump in." Because many people get frustrated by the long learning process, Miyata-sensei requires that all students interested in beginning Kendo to watch for at least one class (more is better though) and see how other beginners are doing to understand the steps you must take before receiving your bogu (armor).

We can not create a time table for the length of time that it takes for someone to receive bogu because people learn at different rates and practice different amount of times during the week. However, when you are ready for bogu, the dojos do have equipment for rent before you buy your own.

As time progresses, and you have your equipment you can participate in tournaments. There are series of tournaments that happen in Northern California and in other parts. Though not required, we encourage you to come to the tournaments, even if you do not have bogu, meet members of other dojos and put your training "to the test." Information about tournaments is located on the events page.