Frequently Asked Questions

Enthusiasm and little else! You will not be required to buy any equipment as first. Simply come dressed in loose clothes such as a light tracksuit, and you will be lent a shinai (Bamboo sword) for your first few lessons. If you wish to stick with it after a few sessions then feel free to buy a shinai of your own. Hakama and Keikogi (the uniform) can be bought at some time after this. You will be advised when it is time to buy a set of armour.

These are not hard and fast rules. They are simply there to stop you wasting money needlessly.

Shiraoka does not have specific times for beginners to start. Just contact Gareth and come along to the next session.

This depends upon the individual. Some may make it into armour within a few months. Whereas others will take half a year or more.

The cost of each session will be £5 to cover the running costs of the Dojo. Alternatively you can pay £15 a month by standing order.

There is also membership to the British Kendo Association to consider, however, they run a temporary 3 month starter membership costing £10 to ease the burden. Full detail on both the BKA and it's fees can be found at kendo.org.uk

As for equipment, shinai start at £15. Keikogi and Hakama start at £20 each. Armour starts at around £200.

Kendo is an activity that can be started at any age. One of the teachers in manchester started in his 50's and is still active 30 years later.

Kendo is a very strenuous activity. However, it is accessible to people of all levels of fitness (or unfitness)

This should not be a problem. A lot of people's glasses will fit under the armour. Some people wear contacts, and some nothing at all. As a last resort it is possible to buy "Kendo Glasses" designed to fit while wearing armour.

Absolutely not! Women are very welcome at Shiraoka. They practice the same as the guys and often compete directly with men at competition.