[juyrett]

Ok when I say might it's mostly because it hasn't hit me yet, and I feel like bolting real fast! (and changing my mind! That's just nor right though...so I won't)

Anyway, I did technically say yes to a job that I was offered in Shanghai. My eventual goal is Japan, but I want to go other places too so I will go to Japan later I guess.

So... does anyone know of any Kendo clubs that I could join once I get there? (foreigner friendly- at least in attitude if not language?) I know that there is always a language barrier, but hey I know people in my Kendo dojo who don't speak English well or at all and it all works out. Also, how would I get an "in" to the dojo? I doubt my sensei knows people or dojos in China.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

[ImapFidaarram]

No idea. Google shows a Shanghai Kendo Club. I'd start there.

[Optosypoeds]

I have an email address at home for Ting Yu who is the president of the Chinese kendo federation. I will get it tonight and pm you, I am sure he can answer any of your queries. (Please send me a pm to remind me if I forget tonight).

Congrats for the new job by the way, it sounds like a pretty exciting opportunity.

Alicia

[suingincentix]

Thanks guys. BTw, this has got to be the most dead thread I have ever created! heheh it rhymes too!

[lollypop]

Hi MartialArtsGirl:

There is plenty of kendo in Shanghai.

The biggest and the best local club in Shanghai:

http://www.kenshi-kendo.com/plus/list.php?tid=55

The club at the Shanghai Japanese School:

http://www.shanghai-kendo.com/en/

The Japanese School club came first, and is attended mainly by the Japanese expatriates and many locals and other foreign expatriates.

The local club is attended mainly by the locals, and taught by the Japanese School club sensei's and the higher ranked locals. You will find some English speakers in either club.

From my pre-2009 experiences, the Japanese School club practice is run a bit loosely. That is to say, there are many advanced Japanese kendo players there, so the practice format is a bit like what it is in Japan. Strict kihon practice for kids, but for everybody else, you have to go ask for instructions yourself, and not much attention is given to you as an individual. The local club's practice, on the other hand, is more structured and similar to what is normally seen in an US dojo / club.

Many dedicated students practice at both locations, resulting in having practices 3 to 4 times a week. So, if you are serious about kendo, you'll have fun in Shanghai.

Feel free to PM me as your plan for Shanghai firms up. I can try to link up with the English speaking kendo people over there.

Good luck.

[Unonounaple]

good luck MA Girl

[disappointment2]

I moved to SH about 2 years ago and re-started Kendo after about a 10 year absence. One more club to add to Slidercrank's excellent list is KatsushinKai www.shanghaikendo.com. Instruction in Chinese, some English speaking regulars, very friendly club members, mostly beginners under 3dan and good kihon instruction.

Kenshi Kai practices Wed pm and Sat am
Japanese School practices Tue pm and Sun am (I think they stopped accepting adult members due to space constraints, but are switching locales in Oct.)
Katsushin practices Wed pm and Sat pm

I think there is Iaido and Jodo practice on Monday pm with Kenshi Kai.

I relly love the Kendo here, very large variety of Kenshis from all over the world from SE Asia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, EU, US and of course Chinese. Downside is the international folks are somewhat transient. Oh and some very inexpensive kendo gear.

Drop me a line when you get here and I will be happy to share what i know in person. Japan is just a 2hr flight away and you could even ferry over to Osaka from Shanghai.

[letittbe]

Other people have probably given you top-notch places, but just for the heck of it I'll ask a friend from our club if he can give me any contact information from the dojo he went to in Shanghai. He attended several different places there, if I recall.

Congratulations though.

[blogforloversxx]

Thank you everyone! This will all be very helpful. Since I am not sure what days I will get off (or even if they will be the same every week) I don't know yet which days I'd be able to do kendo. So all of this information is very good!

[maxtp]

I know nothing about Shanghai Kendo but I do know that Shanghai is beautiful! Just awesome!

Lucky!



And enjoy the Shanghai dialect as well.

[bunkalapa]

As Unimportant Hero said, Shanghai has some strong points, not the least of which is its long history (though not all of it favorable to non-Chinese) which one can sense, as well as see when viewing old buildings and hotels from "back then." Having been a major business hub, it's likely more international(ised) than other big Chinese cities and thus, hopefully, more tolerant of visitors and those who don't yet speak the language. Anyway,
don't even let the word "bolt" enter your vocabulary - Shanghai could be good grounding for your idea of moving to Japan later.

[hacyOrgachbic]

...it's likely more international(ised) than other big Chinese cities and thus, hopefully, more tolerant of visitors and those who don't yet speak the language.

Yeah. Shanghainese do not mind foreigners so much, but there is a growing tendency to look down on people who come in speaking outside dialects such as Mandarin and Cantonese. So they will probably like people more who put in an effort to pick up their dialect as much as possible. Oh, and also be sure to check out the Hongkou District. It has some really unique history that most people outside Shanghai know next to nothing about.