Contact the dojo
Use the MVKD contact form to tell us you would like to observe. This gives the instructors a chance to welcome you and share any current practice updates.
A simple first visit
Observe. Ask. Begin.
Arrive early
Monday practice begins at 7:00 PM. Please arrive by 6:45 PM so you can settle in, meet someone from the dojo, and observe opening etiquette.
Wear what you can move in
Comfortable athletic clothing is right for a first visit. Kendo is practiced barefoot. Do not buy a uniform or armor before speaking with an instructor.
Build patiently
The first months focus on posture, footwork, reiho, and basic strikes. Advancement is guided by your sensei—not by a fixed deadline.
Visitor & member guidance
Come prepared, not over-prepared.
Visiting kenshi
Practitioners already in bogu are welcome at regular practice. Beginners visiting from another NCKF dojo should first receive permission from their home-dojo instructor and let MVKD know so membership records stay accurate.
New beginners
You need no equipment for your first classes. The dojo can lend a shinai initially; afterward, members are expected to obtain and maintain their own. Ask before purchasing any kendogi, hakama, or bogu.
Young members
Youth train separately from adults and may finish earlier. A parent or guardian must remain present during a child’s practice; please contact the dojo before visiting to confirm readiness and current policy.
Dojo participation
Members help sustain the community through the annual fundraisers, warm-up and suburi leadership when asked, and by bringing personal training supplies such as sports tape.
初心
Beginner’s mind
Questions are welcome.
You do not need to know Japanese or have a martial arts background. Kendo has its own terms and traditions; you will learn them through practice.
Kendo FAQ
Common questions, answered.
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.