Membership

Beginner Information

How do I sign up?

****NOTE****

WHILE WE ARE OPEN FOR PRACTICE IN PERSON, PER AUSKF/ECUSKF PRACTICE GUIDELINES, ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO PRACTICE.  MASKS THAT COVER THE NOSE AND MOUTH ARE REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE IN THE DOJO.

If you are interested in joining practice, then you should come to one of our practices first to get a better idea about how practices are run and see if Kendo and Iaido is something that you are willing to try.  After that, you will need to fill out an application form and you will be allowed to join the next practice.

Are there any dojo fees?

Club dues are $40 per month, to be paid at the beginning of every month.  With these dues, you will be able to practice either Kendo or Iaido, or even both if you want at no extra cost.  You will also be able to attend as many practices as you are able to, and even participate in practices at other dojos if you want to get some extra time in.  The club dues go towards paying the rent for the practice venues.

There are also yearly Federation dues, which will need to be paid as soon as you are allowed to buy your armor, or by March of every year.  Paying this will allow you to become a member of the East Central United States Kendo Federation (ECUSKF) and the All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF), which will allow you to participate in tournaments, promotion exams and special seminars held throughout the world.  How much you pay schedule is as follows:

	AUSKF	ECUSKF
Child (17 & Under)	$30	$15
Adult (18+)	$60	$30
Student	$30	$15

**For those that are applying for the first time, there is a one-time, $10 sign up fee on top of the normal membership fees.
 

Please note that dues are subject to change at any time.  You can also download the AUSKF/ECUSKF application form here.

Do I need to buy any equipment before I begin?

While you will need to buy a shinai and bokken as soon as you can, all you need for your first practice is a pair of comfortable exercise clothing.  For shinai, the size you need is dependent on your age and gender, so we will counsel you on what size is appropriate.  If you are participating in Iaido, you can get a bokken with a saya (scabbard).  Also, due to most Iaido kata being done from various kneeling positions, you will need to buy a set of knee pads, which can be found at almost any store that sells sports equipment.

For the dogi (uniform), bogu (armor) and iaito (unsharpened sword), the club leaders will let you know when you are allowed to purchase them.  A quick glance at any online Kendo retailer shows that there is a lot of variation in equipment, so it's better that we help you out with the available choices.

Where can I buy the equipment?
The list of retailers below are some of the more well-known places to buy Kendo and Iaido equipment.  Their products are well made and most people have had positive experiences with them:

E-Bogu
E-Mudo
Maruyama Kendo Supply
Tozando
Mazkiya Kendo Shop

This list is not exhaustive since there are a lot of Kendo/Iaido retailers based all over the world, but they're the best that I'm able to recommend.  If you happen to find a good deal at a different retailer, please notify a dojo leader before you make the purchase, since there are sites that might sell equipment of dubious quality to max out profits, or provide cheap stuff that doesn't fit well or protect enough.
 

**For beginners (and advanced people in need of a refresher), there is a great Kendo beginner's guide available online provided by the British Kendo Association.  You can click here to get detailed information about Kendo and even some of the most common phrases that are said throughout practice.