Dojo registration & waiver
Required for members; upload the approved current PDF here.
File to be addedResources
A practical library
for every stage.
Forms, terms, guidance, and trusted kendo references—organized for dojo members and prospective students.
Downloads & reference
Keep the essentials close.
The cards below are the approved destinations for the forms and handouts listed on the previous site. Add the final PDFs here when dojo leadership supplies the current files.
Forms & dojo documents
AUSKF waiver
Required for members and visitors; link the current federation version.
File to be addedRei & warm-up guide
A practical reference for dojo etiquette and preparation.
File to be addedKendo / kumdo terminology
Japanese, Korean, and English terms used in practice.
File to be addedUseful starting points
NCKF
Northern California dojo, event, and federation information.
Visit source ↗AUSKF
National membership and kendo information.
Visit source ↗All Japan Kendo Federation
International reference for kendo news and educational material.
Visit source ↗Equipment guide
A decision guide to shinai, uniform, and bogu—buy only when instructed.
File to be addedExam preparation
Practice with context.
These two English-language references support kata and bokuto-kihon preparation. They complement, not replace, instruction from your sensei.
Nippon Kendo Kata
For practitioners testing from 1-kyu and above. English explanation.
Watch on YouTube ↗Bokuto ni Yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho
For practitioners testing through 2-kyu. English explanation.
Watch on YouTube ↗Kendo FAQ
Before you buy anything.
Do I need experience or equipment?+
No. Start by observing or taking part in beginner instruction. Comfortable exercise clothing is enough for a first visit; the dojo will explain when to obtain a shinai and later equipment.
What happens at a first practice?+
You will meet the dojo, observe etiquette and practice flow, and can ask questions after class. Kendo develops through steady basics: posture, footwork, strikes, and respect for training partners.
Is kendo only for athletes?+
No. Training is adjusted to a student’s current ability, but it is physically active. Please consult a health professional about any condition that may affect practice and tell the instructors before you begin.
Are there belts in kendo?+
Kendo uses kyu and dan ranks rather than colored belts. Advancement is earned through examinations and sustained practice, and there is no shortcut through the basics.
Can a child start?+
Youth participation is welcome subject to current dojo policy, readiness, and parental involvement. Contact MVKD before visiting so the instructors can advise on the right path.
What is kendo, and is it the same as kumdo?+
Kendo—literally ‘the way of the sword’—is a Japanese martial art rooted in historical swordsmanship. Daehan kumdo and kendo are considered the same for practical purposes, with some differences in terminology and presentation.
Is kendo self-defense training?+
MVKD practices kendo as a way to develop oneself through disciplined training, not as a shortcut to self-defense. Start with realistic expectations and let the instructors guide your learning.
What does a regular practice look like?+
A typical evening includes 10–15 minutes of stretching and warm-up, paired drills, a short water break, then additional drills or jigeiko (free practice). Kata is followed by jigeiko on the third Monday of each month.
Why is there so much kiai?+
Kiai supports breathing, presence, and fighting spirit. Calling the target—men, kote, do, or tsuki—is part of a valid kendo strike.
How do ranks work?+
Kendo uses kyu and dan grades rather than colored belts. The path usually moves from kyu grades toward dan examinations; rank from another martial art does not transfer. There is no outward display of rank.
What equipment will I eventually need?+
After your first classes, you will normally obtain and maintain a shinai. Your sensei will tell you when to buy a keikogi and hakama, and later bogu. A bokuto is needed for kata testing from 1-kyu; ask before buying equipment.
How quickly will I progress?+
Kendo is a lifetime practice. Most beginners spend their early months building footwork and basics before wearing bogu; progression depends on attendance, readiness, and guidance from the instructors.
道
Learn with context
Information supports practice; it does not replace it.
Use online references as a companion to in-person instruction, and ask a sensei before making equipment or membership decisions.