Frequently asked questions
The following are answers to many frequently asked questions about kendo and the Melbourne University Kendo Club.
If you can't find the answer you're looking for here, feel free to contact us and we'll get back to you with a reply.
Joining the club
Do I have to be a Melbourne University student to join the club?
No. The club is open to all people, students and non-students are welcome.
What if I can't make training on time or need to leave early?
It is in your interest to arrive at training by the scheduled starting times and stay for the full duration. Due to work or class commitments this is sometimes not possible. In those cases just arrive as soon as you can. There is probably not a great deal of value in attending if you can only train for less than one hour.
Can children join the Beginners' Course?
We do accept students younger than sixteen into the Beginner Course. However, it is required that the parent or guardian be present during the whole training and, ideally be taking the same beginner course.
MUKEN is a university club with an average age of 21. If your child/children is interested in learning kendo recommend that your child attend another kendo club that specializes in teaching children and has a number of children in their group.
When is the next Beginners' Course?
MUKEN holds one Beginners' Course each year. The next course will be held from March 2024. Please visit this page at the start of the year for more information on dates.
Can I come and watch the training to see if I want to join?
Yes - you are welcome to come and watch any training sessions prior to the commencement of the Beginners' Course. Spectator seating can be accessed via the stairs near the entrance to the West Stadium. We are also happy to chat to you and answer any questions you may have.
If you can attend the Beginners' Course we recommend that you join in from the start, rather than just watching.
If you have done kendo elsewhere and would like to see what our training is like, you are welcome to watch as well as talk to our members before or after training.
Do I have to attend every session of the Beginners' Course?
It is strongly encouraged that you attend every session of the Beginners' Course. New techniques are learnt in every session and your progress will be hindered if you can't make most of them. Of course, work and study commitments should be prioritized and if you have to miss one or two, it is usually okay.
Does it help if I've done other martial arts?
Certain skills, abilities and techniques may help with kendo. However, everyone is expected to complete the Beginners’ Course if they have no prior kendo experience.
If you have done kendo before and would like to train with us, please visit one of our training sessions and discuss with Sensei.
Kendo equipment
What equipment will I need to practise kendo?
For the Beginners' Course, just wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. A shinai (bamboo sword) will be provided for you to use during the course.
Eventually, if you decide to continue kendo training, you may need:
A spare shinai.
A shinai bag, for carrying and storing your shinai.
A bokuto (wooden sword used in kendo kata). The club has a limited inventory of bokuto for rental use only.
A kendo uniform (keiko-gi and hakama).
A tenugui (a cotton head towel used for wearing the men).
A set of kendo armour (bogu). Armour may be rented from the club for a modest fee per session.
A bag for carrying your armour.
However, it is not expected that you purchase all of these from the outset. Like with many hobbies, it is more reasonable to purchase these progressively over time as you gain more experience.
Do I have to buy a shinai (bamboo sword)?
You will receive a shinai during the Beginners' Course. Club members are expected to have their own shinai, preferably two shinai in good condition. They may be purchased from the club when required at a cost of approximately $35.00 each.
The club will also teach you how to maintain your shinai to prolong its useful life.
When do I get to wear bogu?
After the beginners' course is completed, Sensei will decide when beginners may start wearing armour.
You begin wearing the do and tare (torso and hip armour), and then progress to kote (gloves) and men (helmet).
If you train regularly you can expect to be wearing full armour after around 3 months.
Do I have to buy keiko-gi (practice jacket) and hakama (pleated pants)?
Members are expected to buy a keiko-gi and hakama after about 2-3 months of training. A set can be purchased for less than $100.
The club can help you purchase the uniform, including taking your measurements and teaching you how to wear it properly.
The appropriate clothing is compulsory at gradings and competitions.
Do I have to buy a set of bogu (armour)?
The club has a limited number of sets of bogu, which members are able to borrow during training. The number of members training will determine whether a set is available. We will try to ensure that all members get an opportunity to train in full armour, but this cannot be guaranteed at every training.
Bogu has become more affordable over the past few years. A basic set can be purchased for under $500 from a supplier. Because the cost is relatively high, we do not encourage beginners to purchase bogu until they feel comfortable to do so. We encourage members to purchase their own set after a year or two of training.
The club can assist you in purchasing bogu from a reputable supplier.
Training at the club
Where and when does the club train?
The club trains at the Nona Lee Sports Centre located in the Melbourne University Parkville campus. The building is located on Tin Alley, in the northern end of the campus. Just walk in past reception and go up the stairs to get to the West Stadium where we train.
Our current training times are:
Mondays: 5:30pm - 7:15pm
Thursdays: 5:00pm - 6:15pm
We occasionally hold special trainings to prepare for competitions and other events.
How much does training cost?
Training (Students): $110.00 per semester or $5.00 casual
Training (Non-Students): $140.00 per semester or $5.00 casual
Armour Hire: $80.00 per semester or $5.00 casual hire (applicable to club members only)
There is also an annual membership fee of $75, payable in May, which includes training insurance and full membership with the Victorian Kendo Renmei (VKR) and Australian Kendo Renmei (AKR).
The membership is required to be able to participate in trainings, competitions, seminars and gradings.
Tournaments and Grading
How does the grading system work?
Kendo grades are divided into Kyu grades and Dan grades. Kyu grades can be considered similar to coloured belts, and Dan grades similar to a ‘black belt’.
Kendo grades begin at 6th Kyu through until 1st Kyu. You can attempt two Kyu gradings a year. After 1st Kyu, the next grade is 1st Dan, and the grades progress from 1st Dan up to 8th Dan. A grade of 5th Dan and above is considered sensei.
For Dan grades, a certain number of years must have elapsed after attaining a grade to be eligible to attempt the next grade.
When can I start competing?
The club participates in the UniSport Nationals Div 1 and Div 2 competition every year. The club normally selects participants with at least 1 year kendo experience to participate, however beginners may be eligible to compete on a case-by-case basis.
The first 'official' competition in which beginners can compete will be the MUKEN Club Championships, held near the end of the year. Following the Club Championships, you will have the opportunity to compete in a variety of kendo tournaments throughout the following year.
The club has been successful at the Victorian Kendo Championships (state level), and has also produced many members of Team Victoria that have competed at the Australian Kendo Championships (national level).
The club has also produced members that have represented Australia at the World Kendo Championships (held every 3 years).
When and where are gradings held?
In Victoria, two gradings are held every year, in March and September, at the Kenshikan dojo located in West Melbourne.
When can I go for my first grading?
Those who commence the Beginners' Course in March and train regularly will be able to attempt their 6th Kyu grading in September.
Other
Can I also train at other dojos/clubs?
Members of the club are also members of the Victorian Kendo Renmei (VKR). As such members are generally welcome to train at other dojos as listed on the VKR site. However, members will first need to discuss and obtain approval from sensei. A member would usually need to have been training with the club for at least six months before training at other dojos.
Is the club related to the Australian Kendo Dojos (AKD)?
MUKEN is affiliated with the VKR and the Australian Kendo Renmei (AKR). These organisations are affiliated with the International Kendo Federation (IKF) and recognized by the All-Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF). The Australian Kendo Dojos (AKD) is a separate organisation and is not affiliated or related to any of the above listed organisations. Former members of the AKD are welcome to join us.
Do you ever have sensei (teacher) from Japan or Korea visiting?
Yes. The club has on numerous occasions hosted sensei from both Japan and Korea.
The VKR has established a number of relationships with various Japanese sensei, and members of the club are welcome to participate and train with these sensei.
The club also has a strong relationship with the Gwangju Kumdo Association in South Korea, where sensei and students visit Melbourne and we visit Gwangju.
In the past few years, two or three sensei (often 8th Dan) have visited Australia and conducted training seminars. The Tokyo Sports University (Nittaidai) has also visited Melbourne on a number of occassions.
Do you have many Japanese people in your club?
Throughout the year we have a number of Japanese exchange students and visitors who practice Kendo in Japan training with the club.
Do you speak Japanese in the club? Does it help if you know Japanese?
Many basic commands and terms are in Japanese. Knowledge of the language is not assumed but is certainly helpful.
Our web site contains a glossary of commonly used Japanese words and phrases.