[oneliRafmeene]

...thankfully only mine so far.

Last week I was doing kirikaeshi with such concentration that I managed to re-make the previous week's blisteron my palm, only this time it bled (though I didnt notice initially - very mushin, I'm sure...
I'm also no stranger to fairly hefty blistering of the left foot.

Now for me, this is fine, and I'm working on the assumption that each time blisters heal up, the body adapts and the skin gets a little tougher.

My query is really on behalf of my girlfriend, and a friend of hers who are studying to become Osteopaths. Both are interested in Kendo and have come along to my dojo, but both are concerned about the effect it might have on them, which might cause problems in treating patients (ie sore hands when manipulating, sore feet that need to be stood up on for long periods...). Additionally, my girlfriend has diabetes, so needs to take more than usual care of her feet.

I'm assuming she could get round the feet-thing by wearing the "slippers" I've seen some people wearing. And I guess by the time you wear Kote, the palms are no longer a problem....? As this could a a while away, is it acceptable to wear any sort of gloves before this, prior to the wearing of armour?

Does anyone who has practiced for a while have any wise words? Do the blisters stop, or are they never ending? Is doing Kendo inherently something where you will be injured / damaged at some point? Should I really be encouraging these concerned souls into our bizzare world?

As ever, thanks all.

Dave