Q1. Kendo looks hard. Can I keep up with the practice?
Q2. What is the relationship between BUTOKUDEN and E-BOGU?
Q3. When can I visit and see your class?
Q4. Is my child too young to start Kendo?
Q5. Am I too old to start Kendo?
Q6. How many classes per week can I attend?
Q7. What are initial costs to become a member?
Q9. What othe costs are involved?
Q10. Who should I contact to ask other questions?
Q11. What are the essay questions for SCKO promotion exam?
Q12. What do I have bring to the promotion exam?
Q13. What do I need to practice for my promotion exam?
Q1. Kendo looks hard. Can I keep up with the practice?
Don’t worry. Our instructors teach you as your level. If you are beginner, you start learning the very basics such as how to bow to the opponent, how to do Seiza, or how to wear the uniforms at first.
Q2. What is the relationship between BUTOKUDEN and E-BOGU?
E-BOGU.COM, Inc. is a world leading Martial Arts equipment supplier. E-BOGU backs Butokuden 100%. E-BOGU provides large discount to BUTOKUDEN members on all equipment.
Q3. When can I visit and see your Kendo class?
You can come watch any of our scheduled Kendo classes. No prior appointment is required. Check our latest class schedules at www.butokuden.com.
We also encourage you to experience our free trial classes. You can join our class with any sporting outfit.
Q4. Is my child too young to start Kendo?
Our youngest member right now is 6 years old, and he is doing well. They have to behave well, and be able to listen to the Senseis directions.
Q5. Am I too old to start Kendo?
No.
Kendo is for life. Whenever you want to start Kendo, it is time to start. We have members from 6 years old to over 60 years old.
Q6. How many classes per week can I attend?
We currently offer 3 classes per week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the first half is focused on basic drills, and the second half is Jigeiko (sparring with each other). Beginners will have its own lessons focused on very basic motions, so you can get ready to participate in a more advanced class.
On Wednesdays, we have an open practice, which is Jigeiko only. We usually have visiting Kenshis from other Dojoduring our Open practices. After you start wearing your Bogu, we encourage you to come not only on Tuesday or Thursday but also on Wednesday as you can improve much faster.
Q7. What are initial costs to become a member?
There is a one time Registration fee, and the monthly fees. Monthly fee is depends on rank you are. See at http://www.butokuden.com/fees/
Shinai (Bamboo sword): $15 (Kids size), $20 (Adult size)
Uniform (Kendogi & Hakama): It depends on which uniform you want to have. Ask the instructors when you join.
Q8. What are monthly fees?
For the current fees, please check the link at http://www.butokuden.com/fees/
Family members get 10% discount.
You are required to pay for the next month’s tuition at end of each month by credit card (charged automatically) or check (payable to BUTOKUDEN, Inc.).
We ask you to pay by the monthly fee by the 25th of each month for the next month (e.g. you will pay for the March fee on February 25th)
Q9. What other costs are involved?
1) Equipment: After you practice for a few months, the instructors will tell you to put on your Bogu. The price of the Bogu starts around $350 for the set.
2) SCKO (Southern California Kendo Organization) and AUSKF (All USA Kendo Federation) annual membership fees: Please check here for fee details.
3) Tournament/Promotion exams: Participation fees are required when you participate at tournaments and promotions exams.
Q10. Who should I contact to ask other questions?
Send an email to kendo@butokuden.com. Or, you can ask any instructors at our facility before or after a class.
Q11. What are the questions for SCKO promotion exam?
1 kyu: Describe some benefits of “kirikaeshi”. 切り返し, 연격
1 dan: Choose one (1) of the following to answer
Describe “ki-ken-tai-ichi”. 気剣体一致, 기검체일치
Describe 3 types of Kendo footwork. 足さばき, 발운용법
2 dan: Choose one (1) of the following to answer:
Describe the 4 types of Kendo “sicknesses”. 四戒, 사계
Describe the 3 “ma-ai ”. 間合, 간합
3 dan: Choose one (1) of the following to answer:
Describe the elements of “yuko-datotsu”. 有効打突, 유효타돌
Describe “enzan-no-metsuke”. 遠山の目付け, 먼산보기
4 dan: Choose one (1) of the following to answer:
Describe the benefits of the Kendo kata （剣道形）검도형 and its relevance to shinai keiko （竹刀稽古）죽도계고;.
Describe the elements of “yuko-datotsu”. 有効打突, 유효타돌
Q12. What do I have bring to the promotion exam?
All ranks must bring their own Kendo-gu, presentable Keiko-gi and Hakama, and Shinai. 3 Kyu and Up, bring bokuto for taking “Bokuto Keiko hou” (Training) Method for fundamental kendo techniques with Bokuto) and Nihon Kendo Kata exams. 1 Kyu and Up, bring completed Written Test Questionnaire (refer to Q11.)
Q13. What do I need to practice for my promotion exam?
- 6 Kyu: Kirikaeshi, Men-uchi (twice), (chakuso, reiho, hassei)
- 5 Kyu: Kirikaeshi, Men-uchi (twice), kote-men (twice), doh-uchi (twice), (chakuso, reiho, hassei)
- 4 Kyu: Kirikaeshi, gokaku-keiko, (chakuso, kamae, reiho, hassei)
- 3 Kyu: Gokaku-keiko, (chakuso, kamae, reiho, hassei), “Bokuto Keiko hou” 1-4
- 2 Kyu: Gokaku-keiko, (chakuso, kamae, reiho, hassei, datotsu no sae), “Bokuto Keiko hou” 1-9
- 1 Kyu: Gokaku-keiko (chakuso, kamae, reiho, hassei, datotsu no sae, kikentaiichi), Nihon Kendo Kata 1-3 and written examination
- 1 Dan: Gokaku-keiko (one who is skilled and has learned the basics of kendo), Nihon Kendo Kata 1-5, and written examination
- 2 Dan: Gokaku keiko (one who is finely skilled and has acquired the basics of kendo), Nihon Kendo Kata 1-7, and written examination
- 3 Dan: Gokaku Keiko (one who is superbly skilled and has expertise in the basics of kendo), Nihon Kendo Kata 1-10, and written examination
- 4 Dan: Gokaku keiko (one who is exceptionally skilled and has mastered the basics and applied use of kendo), Nihon Kendo Kata 1-10 and written examination