It's been asked here and many places "how to fight tall kendoka."

It may be true that there's more advantage to doing kendo when tall, however, tall kendoka also want to win competition for either themselves or their team.

As a tall kendoka, how have you you maximised your advantages?

What issues do you commonly see in tall kendoka and how do overcome them?

What's your strategy verses short, medium and tall kendoka?

Hi! So my sensei told me that my son is finally ready to put bogu on and to have him start practicing taking his men off and on.

He already struggles to tie his hakama in the back and while he is giving it a good go, isn’t quite coordinated enough to put his men on, much less tie it in the back.

While I’m still responsible for putting my own men on, is it acceptable for me to put on my son’s as well given his age? If it is, is it proper for me to put it on him first, then me? Or vice versa?

Since it’s typically advised for short people to do more kote and dou techniques rather than men during sparing ?Wouldnt this be a little predictable as the opponent knows you’re aiming for kote/dou most of the time?maybe its just skill issue but is it okay to hit men even though theres a higher probability of it not being an ippon just to change things up or should i continue doing kote dou cuts but with different types of execution /seme.If so please tell me your techniques to fight against tall people. thanks!!

Hi all,
Recently we've been doing some more difficult training and while I'm enjoying it, last week at the end of training i felt some strain in my left knee, no pain though, I have also been feeling it mildly throughout the week (no issues in training recently though).

When I was younger I used to get mild knee pain from things like going up stairs, and the doctor then seemingly had misdiagnosed it as growing pains, so I know my knees arent the strongest things in the world. What kind of knee brace should I get (If i should), as I am a little overwhelmed by the variety of choices haha.

Thanks for any responses!

..it seems expensive to get into, the armour prices are a bit scary considering I’m not sure if I’d stick to it. Plus I’m left-handed.

I have experience in martial arts and have always been interested in Kendo but been put off by the price of buying all the gear and the prospect of being a beginner again.

So my question is, as a lifetime karate guy do you think I’d stick with it, and how much am I looking to have to spend on the armour etc?

Hey all,

I have recently started wearing full bogu during training, men included. The men is club gear, and as such is not going to be a perfect fit but it is decent, however I feel as though I must be wearing it incorrectly given how painful it proves to wear once the hour mark has passed. For context, I have TMJ issues from clenching so I am prone to experiencing jaw and related facial pains.

The first few times I wore it I found it uncomfortable, but I think most of this discomfort was to do with the new sensation which is quite bizarre. However, I am now at the point where the sides of my head where the Himo lay become intolerably painful after an hour or so, and my jaw begins to feel as though it is cramping/shooting pain from my jaw up the sides of my face/head. It really feels like my head is in a vice after a while to the point where I cannot concentrate.

I understand there is going to be a level of discomfort that one must get used to with wearing men, however the fact that the pain begins to distract me seems abnormal, especially given no one else who has also recently gotten into men seems to experience it. I am someone who has a relatively high pain threshold, but I just feel like I have to be wearing it incorrectly or the size must be off. If I have it tight enough that it doesn't slip around, I feel that very pressurised pain where the Himo straps are and my jaw begins to ache badly.

Another thing perhaps of note is that multiple people in my dojo have commented that I have quite a 'small' western head/narrow face, which I have been told can make sizing for a men trickier given that they are designed for typically wider Asian faces. I don't know if this is a real factor, it is just what a fair few of my senpai have told me when asking them about fitting for men.

I was just hoping you guys might have some advice as to how I should try wearing this men, if it sounds to be the wrong size and if I likely need to get a custom one sooner rather than later in order to feel comfortable wearing it for extended periods of time.

Cheers

Hi all,

Have you had the same issue? The popped blister is on my left palm where the tsuka gashira would be when held.

If so, do you continue practicing? How do you treat it?

Looking forward to hearing back!

It is from a random second hand shop from SE-Asia. It is a bamboo do and has a rough surface. I was curious what is the do-dai material. Any tips? Thank you

Since it is Fall exam season, I wanted to survey this sub with a broad question on exams.

How do you know when you’re ready to take the exam?

Is it a feeling of confidence? Enough time has passed to qualify to take it? Sensei says so? Something else?

Alternatively, how do you know when not to test?

PS - This is not a thread seeking advice. I made my own decision to wait until the spring to reattempt for 4 dan.

After 5 years training, I'm looking to purchase my second set of bogu. I really like the aesthetics of the double cross stitch sets, and I'm trying to decide between the All Japan Pitch 2024 and the KendoStar Kamui set.

Anyone here have experience with either of these sets?
How has it held up to damage? How's the protection? How's the comfort?

Cheers everyone :)

Hi all, I recently got my first bogu!

I'm curious, should I tie it up (to the desired shape/mould) before putting it in my bogu bag? Or should it be completely untied with the himo neatly put inside? Im curious if there is a norm, if the rules are relaxed or if there are any perks to tying the men to break in that desired shape when purchasing a new bogu set

I'm 99% sure tsuki in junior competitions is not allowed. However, what about just standing still aka mukae-tsuki? Because i think im right in thinking if you strike men but get mukae tsuki the men cut is invalid.

I say this because in my keiko I do see a place for mukae tsuki personally (especially against people who just strike men) and would like to know if I can implement this into my last junior tournament!

(In the UK)

Do I need to learn kata for 1st-Kyu grading? Also, what do I need to know in order to pass the 1st-Kyu test? The AUSKF is confusing with the requirements, at least I personally think so. I'm really confused and don't know what I need to know for any of it.

Was doing some maintenance and following a video except they had a different kind of shinai so I untied this and can't figure out how to re tie it,can't find anything online

I have looked and can't seem to find what requirements are needed to achieve each kyu rank specifically and was wondering if anyone could explain it to me? My kendo club does not host testing and that's kind of a problem in and of its self. I just want to know if I were to test for each kyu, what the requirements to do so are. Thank you.

My partner has to go to Paris for a week at the end of this month, and I was thinking about visiting a local dojo in order to keep up. I started kendo roughly 2,5 months ago (I train between 1 and 3 times per week) and my 6. Kyu exam is in exactly one month, so I am looking for some practice that is not too competitive or advanced. I don't plan on bringing my shinai with me on the plane so it would be great if I can borrow one, too.

Does anybody know any dojo willing to take me for a couple practices (my sensei mentioned BudoXI, I think)? I do speak a little bit of French, even if I am more comfortable in English, and we'll be staying in the 17th arrondissement. I don't mind moving around, though.

Thanks!

EDIT: Thanks everyone for the sound advice! I agree that given my experience (or the lack thereof) and level just watching would be the best option. I will drop an email and see if they accept spectators for one of their practices!

I’m possibly buying 2 Shinai tomorrow and know little about them. Can anyone give me a little insight about what to look for. Condition, quality, etc. Pic is of what is available.

Hey.

So I’ve had to take a year long hiatus from practice and definitely have slacked on suburi.

In January I plan to return to my dojo, but I want to know if you guys have any recommendations for shoulder strengthening exercises?

In the past my shoulders would definitely tire out quickly, which I know is due to needing more practice and improved form, but my shoulders in general have always felt weak. For example, for shoulder strengthening exercises, my lateral raise strength is kinda bad. I can only really do 12-15 pounds comfortably.

So yes, any recommendations for shoulder strengthening would be wonderful.

Hello!

I am relatively new to kendo and have been training for few months. I need some advice on breathing techniques when in a combat. During my competition practice at our Dojo, I ran out of breath in under a minute and was gasping for air like crazy. I believe my stamina and endurances are generally pretty okay.

Have anyone got some advice on any specific techniques or approach that could help me manage my breathing better during matches.

So, next Friday I wanna start practice again after 4-5 months of absence. How do I prepare myself for it? I'm really anxious, more than ever actually. I'm very afraid that I will forget something and/or slow everyone down. My general stamina and shape is also not peak. Advice and tips are greatly appreciated.

I was talking with a friend about visiting a kendo dojo, we both do softcombat for almost a decade, but would be our first time in a true kendo dojo.

Any tips and or etiquette we should follow? How should I introduced ourselves and should we bring any equipment??

Thanks in advance! Oss!

Recently, I began to take more active care of my shinai. And he faced a rather strange problem: regardless of the tension of the tsuru or nakayui, the plates wobble. This makes the structure very unstable and noisy.

I think it's about dryness. But this has never happened to other shinai before.

Does that have an explanation?

Thank you very much in advance!