Beginner I

BEGINNER CLASS DESCRIPTION

Head Instructor: Kunitoshi Arai (6th Dan)

For Information Contact:
Kentaro Hara Phone: (770) 642-8516 (after 7:00 PM)
e-Mail: information@georgiakendo.com

Practice Days and Times:
Saturdays: 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Practice Location:
Athletic Club Northeast
(Gymnasium)
1515 Sheridan Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
Phone: (404) 325-2700

CLASS DESCRIPTION

The Georgia Kendo Alliance (GKA) Beginner Class is intended as an introduction to the Martial Art of Kendo. The class Head instructor is Mr. Arai, 6-Dan (sixth degree black belt), other instructors will assist in teaching the class as required. The class emphasis is on basic sitting positions: sit down on
the floor (seiza) and knee bent squat (sonkyo), basic stances (kamae), footwork (ashi-sabaki), proper form to hold and swing the bamboo sword (shinai), and kendo philosophy.

Students most get prior permission from the instructor for promotions and advancement to other levels. Students are encouraged to take advancement tests, but are not required.

REQUIREMENTS

The required equipment for the class is as follows:

1. Shinai (bamboo sword) with guard, size 39 for adult males and size 38 for adult females of average stature. Size for minors varies depending on height. The length of the handle (tsuka) should be approximately same length as forearm (measured from a closed fist to the elbow).

2. Loose fitting (exercise) type clothes, such as shorts and a t-shirt. A Kendo set (dogi) of Hakama (pant/skirt) and Kendo Keiko-Gi (jacket) are optional.
Note: do not wear any jewelry or watches. Bare feet only in the practice area.

For suggested suppliers see see our list.

FEES

The cost of the two-month Beginner's class is $80 for both adults and minors.
A completed and signed Class Registration Form and fee payment check made out to: “Georgia Kendo Alliance” or “G.K.A.” must be submitted at the first class.

NOTE: GKA is not affiliated with the Athletic Club Northeast. The class fee only includes use of changing rooms, showers and towels, but does not constitute a general membership. Please contact the ACN sales department for membership information and full use of their extensive facilities.

CLASS STRUCTURE

Most kendo classes follow a basic structure:

Line up and bowing.
Meditation.
Warm up and stretching exercises.
Basic technique Drills.
Final line up and bowing.
Announcements and information.

Instructor will determine the best practice drills for each class to improve overall kendo technique.

KENDO PRINCIPLES

Kendo Etiquette (Rei-gi )

Each practice starts by the display of respect for the place of practice, instructor and its members. Bowing as you enter the practice hall (dojo). Practice begins and ends by thanking everyone for the practice and bowing to the instructor and all members. If you have to leave early, ask for the instructor’s permission. Bow as you leave the dojo.

Kendo equipment and cost

Price of the equipment depends on quality of the equipment. The bamboo sword (shinai) is made of four bamboo staves bound together by leather, the average cost, including a plastic guard and rubber stopper, is $25. The shinai is used during basics practice and sparring.

The optional uniform set (dogi) consists of heavy cotton top (keikogi) and a pleated skirt-like-trousers (hakama), average cost of a set is $85.

Apperance

A kendo student (kenshi) must have a dignity and presence that is reflected in the proper wearing of theuniform and equipment.

The shinai should be maintained and checked for damage before each practice and periodically during class. Do not use a damaged shinai, it can represent a danger to yourself and others.

Kendo Practice

A Kendo practice (keiko) consists of various training drills intended to develop the kenshi. Kendo, like other martial arts requires discipline and a dedication to rigorous training.

New students begin with learning the basics: etiquette (rei-gi), different postures, footwork, and how to properly hold and swing the shinai, for approximately two to three months. Students progress through a series of skills preparing them to begin training with armor (bogu).

Once a student begins to practice with bogu, various drills are used to build the student’s skills, spirit and stamina:

Suburi: practice properly holding and swinging the shinai with large moves.
Shomen-uchi: practice strikes to the top of the helmet (men).
Kote-unci: practice strikes to the globe/forearm (kote).
Do-uchi: practice strikes to the upper torso area (do).
Migi-men-uchi: practice strikes to the top right of the helmet (migi men).
Hidari-men-uchi: practice strikes to the top left of the helmet (hidari men).
Kiri-Kaeshi: practice successive strikes to the left and right men, centering, distance, and proper cutting
while building spirit and stamina and focus.
Waza-Geiko: practice various Kendo techniques of defense and attack with a receiving partner.

ADVANCEMENT AND TESTING

Beginners:

Students starting Kendo will initially require only loose fitting clothes and a shinai. After a few weeks of practice, purchase of a hakama and keiko-gi are required. Students should emphasize basic technique and footwork, through repetitive practice, for advancement to intermediate level.

Beginner level II: student require a hakama, keikogi and shinai, as well as a bokken for practice. Students continue to build the basic technique and footwork skills and practice more advance techniques as well as learn the first series of kata forms.

Intermediate/Advance levels

Student require a hakama, keikogi and bogu set, as well as a shinai and bokken for practice.

6th-kyu through 2nd-kyu: Kenshi are graded on proper appearance, basic strike technique and kiri-kaeshi.

Note: All promotional tests above 1-Kyu also include a written exam.

1st-kyu: Kenshi are graded on proper appearance, strike with ki-ken-tai-ichi, good energy and 1 or 2 yuko-datotsu. Kata forms one through three.

Shodan (1st degree): same as above with nidan waza included. Kata forms one through five.

Nidan (2nd degree): Kenshi must demonstrate the use of shikake waza, harai waza, debana waza, hiki waza, and oji (oh-ji) waza. Show better basics than the Shodan level and be able to use more advanced technique as above. The Kenshi at this level should not be obsessed with the use of waza but start to master the opportunity of attack. Cuts should have good vertical motion with the use of both hands and te-no-uchi.

Primary links

Beginner I

BEGINNER CLASS DESCRIPTION