[clitlyphype]

I know that kendo is a compeditive art from what i have read online. i was wanting to know stuff like what grade you need to be to compete and if there are any competitions in WA?

[Adimos]

No grade requirement for competition, usually have to be in bogu, but i know some tai-kai which have beginner division where they are judged on things like kirikaeshi and unchikomi, in the WA area there are alot, seattle is probably one of the few places in the US you can practice 7 days a week.

Cheers

[Adimondin]

Of course Seattle is a long way from Western Australia.

I am sure that there are at least a couple of comps a year in WA, and if you have enough pocket money you can always make trips to the east coast, for a few more.

There are at least 2 people from WA on these forums, so I am sure they can give you a better idea of wheer and when events are on.

To compete you, usually just need the OK from your instructor. We usually let our beginner partake when they meet the following critera
1) They know enough of the basics that they won't hurt their opponent. (usually about 5-6 months after they start and understand the target areas)
2) They want to partake.

They tend not to last to long as everything they have been praticing goes out the window, but Meh, as long as they have fun.

[b91ZmxzX]

I have only been practicing since last March and am not in bogu yet, but in the eight months I have been practicing, I have known of three different local taikais, and four if you count BC, Canada.

There is one taikai this weekend as a matter of fact. I believe I heard my sensei say that anyone in bogu can participate as long as they pay the small entrance fee, and everyone else is encouraged to watch or volunteer to help the court staff.

I believe there is another one coming up in December also.

These two links should help keep track of the Northwest events, if you are interested:

http://www.kendo-pnkf.org/
http://www.kendo-pnkf.org/news/kenyu.php

It is true that there are a lot of classes and very experienced senseis here. When I am far enough along, I hope to pick up a couple extra nights in some of the other local dojos for some extra training.

[seatlyled]

I have only been practicing since last March and am not in bogu yet, but in the eight months I have been practicing, I have known of three different local taikais, and four if you count BC, Canada.

These two links should help keep track of the Northwest events, if you are interested:

Guys, he lives in NW Australia !

[mikeyyuiok]

Love how Americans think about the world...

[AndyColemants]

Mingshi, please don't read too much into it.

I know a couple aussies in my area so when someone mentioned Seattle, I thought he was an Australian living in Washington (state code WA).

And please, I hope we can keep politics and stereotyping out of this sport.

Cheers

[erepsysoulptnw]

thanks for all your help guys. I dont intend to compete until I feel confident that i would stand a chance not to get clobbered while trying to follow the rules. All the fancy terms you mentioned i dont understand yet so if you could explain them it would be much appreciated. I could probably hold my own in sword combat from my previous experience but I know that kendo has many more rules than that and i probably wouldnt be a very safe opponant atm.
Also, just out of interest; does anyone know of any people who, outside of the holiwood movies, have done quite well competing as a relatively new person to the art? Just curious because sometimes it happens in karate.
Martino, its good to see a fellow aussie in the forums :-) good on you!

[seatlyled]

thanks for all your help guys. I dont intend to compete until I feel confident that i would stand a chance not to get clobbered while trying to follow the rules. All the fancy terms you mentioned i dont understand yet so if you could explain them it would be much appreciated. I could probably hold my own in sword combat from my previous experience but I know that kendo has many more rules than that and i probably wouldnt be a very safe opponant atm.
Also, just out of interest; does anyone know of any people who, outside of the holiwood movies, have done quite well competing as a relatively new person to the art? Just curious because sometimes it happens in karate.
Martino, its good to see a fellow aussie in the forums :-) good on you!

Hi there, I train at a perth dojo. To compete you need to have joined a club (noone can walk in and compete without a club), do AT LEAST a 6 months beginners course, paid the fees to join the association, plus a few months in bogu (armour) and even then you will only compete if your sensei lets you. And considering the high dropout rate, dont worry about competing until youve done all that and are still enthusiastic!

And no, I dont think anyone new to kendo does well in competitions unless their opponent doesnt turn up. You are simply cannon fodder for your first few tournaments - other martial arts youve done previously arent going to help you.

What exactly do you mean by "previous sword combat experience"?

There are good kendo dojos at Curtin uni, Murdoch uni and UWA, plus one in CanningVale (google is a wonderful thing). There will be a tournament on the 2nd of December at the Murdoch uni if you want to go along and watch. Google the Western Australian Kendo Renmei and it wil give training times, beginners course times and info on the tournament and links to the club websites.

Good luck

[oemcheapdownload]

Also, just out of interest; does anyone know of any people who, outside of the holiwood movies, have done quite well competing as a relatively new person to the art? Err... I've never seen Kendo represented in a Hollywood movie.. or any other type of movie for that matter (hence my thread in the Lounge )

[Lebybynctisee]

Thanks Alison; I was prior informed that you were in my area and that maybe I should seek you out. The beginners course I am planning to take is at Murdoch University, which I am attending. Do you know much about it? I dont intend to compete any time soon because I understand all the implications involved and the high likelyhood of a swift failure.

By previous sword fighting experience I meant a few things; some of them may be kind of silly to you. With Ninjukai taijitsu i did some kata with various weapons inluding katana but not shinai. I did some 'private instruction' with one of the 1st dans who took me through some sparring with sais and the sword. In budoken i did a decent amount with boken and a small amount of physical contact although held back by a vast lack of protection like 'bogu'. We had a small group of kendo people come to my high school a couple of years ago and,despite one or two raps on the head, I felt like i put up a decent struggle and almost landed a blow or two. Other than that my friends and I (including some martial artists) get together and sparr with various weapons (pretty dangerous if you ask me).

Newbie, I have honestly never seen kendo in a film. i meant more like in other martial arts competition films such as the karate kid. sorry if what i meant was unclear. id love to see a martial arts film around kendo personally but movies like the last samurai come relatively close.

[Arexytece]

basically i meant that I make a good 'hacker swordsman'. Without rules i would stand a good chance at taking down an opponant but i would most likely badly injure them and that wouldnt be fun for either party. Im not used to wooden swords so much but have tried to get a bit up to speed by practicing the kata with the budoken i have learnt. The techniques i know well are generally dangerous to perform in themselves so i could easily hurt myself without more experience...

[egexgfczc]

Love how Americans think about the world...

Now be nice, you know we're not all like the stereotype...

Besides, NGeorge is just trying to be helpful and if seijuro can make the trip I'm sure we can find someone to put him to work this Saturday (but only if he leaves the ninjer kit at home).

[Meowmeowz]

thanks for all your help guys. I dont intend to compete until I feel confident that i would stand a chance not to get clobbered while trying to follow the rules.

First, you get to learn to walk.

[PPActionnGuys]

apoligies for misinterperting WA to be washington instead of western austrailia.

[SerycegeBunny]

First, you get to learn to walk. Does anyone want to place odds on whether he actually joins a dojo or not? We could do two payoffs ... one on whether he actually joins, another on whether he's still there after six months. Judging from his posts up to now, I give 1 in 15 of him actually joining a dojo, and 1 in 50 of his still being there in six months.

[Trotoleterm]

1:4 that he joins the dojo, and 1:15 odd on him still being there after 6 months. (McDojo's don't count)

my unit of wager is beer. are we on?

[CVEGK7mV]

Does anyone want to place odds on whether he actually joins a dojo or not? We could do two payoffs ... one on whether he actually joins, another on whether he's still there after six months. Judging from his posts up to now, I give 1 in 15 of him actually joining a dojo, and 1 in 50 of his still being there in six months.

You are optimistic, as he has already accepted the validity of ninjerism and would have to be purged. Very low sucess rate for that process. However, anything is possible (except the Cubs winning the World Series, of course).

[SantaClaus]

However, anything is possible (except the Cubs winning the World Series, of course).

Wait 'til next decade...

[Aaron757]

Seijuro: Newbie, I have honestly never seen kendo in a film. i meant more like in other martial arts competition films such as the karate kid. sorry if what i meant was unclear On the kendo world main website are some matches. Watch 'em, they'll do your heart good.

Does anyone want to place odds on whether he actually joins a dojo or not? We could do two payoffs ... one on whether he actually joins, another on whether he's still there after six months. Judging from his posts up to now, I give 1 in 15 of him actually joining a dojo, and 1 in 50 of his still being there in six months. Great way to drive someone off, man.