[Dokescoonse]

You also need to remember that for most people the cost is not an issue. You mentioned a lot about corporate discounts or free beginner courses. If someone likes something, they will pay for it. Even poor students can afford it, in most cases. I know everywhere is different, but students have more cash than they let on. If you can afford multiple pairs of $100 shoes, expensive handbags, designer clothing, and a new cell phone every few months, then most students can afford kendo equipment as well. It's usually not a lack of money, but a lack of desire to spend their own money on it. I know this does not apply to inner city, but even when I taught in a poorer district, even the "poor" kids had all sorts of electronic gadgets and stuff. Also, most kendo dojo are non profit and have low fees anyway. Even some of the for profit dojo are cheap if you go to lots of the practices, for those sorts of places that offer practices 5 or 6 days a week.

The issue is finding people who will join kendo because they want to do it and understand that it is not like the movies. I started a club at the school where I teach. I got 45 students to attend the informational meeting. I made a very clear presentation about what kendo is, the equipment, costs, and the learning process, and the timeframe for getting to jigeiko. I kept 10. After 3 months, I have about 7 or 8 left. Cost is not the issue. It is unrealistic expectations and lack of patience.

I think the best we can do is to advertise the existence of our dojo at community centers, YMCAs, schools, etc. Interested individuals will come and see what it is. The key is to give people accurate impressions of what kendo is. We won't grow as big as baseball or football. I just don't see that happening, but we can let the community know about what kendo truly is so the few who will like it will join up.