http://www.onlinekendo.com
 

Has anyone used these guys before?

Just wanted to get a feel before I looked to purchase anything from them.

Quite a bit... What do you want to know?

I'm really new the Kendo, I know of a few people who are in to it and thought I'd give it a go.

What does a beginner need and what would you recommend me purchasing?

Thats a lot of Question. Where are you? State/city?

What's your local dojo?

Aren't they the suppliers for a lot of nine circles stuff?

You don't need anything for your first couple of lessons, after that get your own shinai, then bokuto, then keikogi and hakama.... then after a few months get bogu.

Melbourne, I study at RMIT in Melbourne.

I was thinking of joining the Fudoshin dojo.

http://www.kendovictoria.asn.au/fudoshin/Training.shtml

Not sure who their wholesaler is

Where do you practice your Kendo Gir?

Ahhh.
I'm with http://www.melbournebudokai.com.au/

If you want to begin with Fudoshin I am unsure what they do with beginners... Melbourne Budokai have a beginners course where you don't need anything other than Shinai to begin with - and you can buy one of them on the first night. I imagine that Fudoshin would do a similar thing.

But they would be able to advise.

As for online kendo - if you contact them via web page you can arrange with Mick to go and see samples and get things from him directly - no need to pay shipping, his place is just up nicholson st in carlton so no trouble...

Fudoshin though should be able to advise what you need to do to begin with them.

I haven't really decided on a dojo, so perhaps I can come and join yours.

Any idea when the next introductory course will be?

I believe a new one is being prepared for Aug but unsure. It's probably worth while - especially being a student - to find out the costs associated etc...

You can contact MBK at info@melbournebudokai.com.au and they will be able to advise of Time and costs - both of the actual intro course as well as ongoing costs of staying with our dojo.

I'd advise emailing both dojo and see what their fees and times etc are before making your mind. There is also the Melbourne University Kendo Club who may also be able to assist you in your Kendo.

OK, I will do that.

Would say

http://onlinekendo.com/product.php?n...amboo&proid=22

be appropriate? I noticed on the melbournebudokai site that they charge rougly $50 for the Shinai sword and was wondering if this would be of a similar quality to those found at the dojo?

Thank you for your help.

It depends on the actual dojo.

But the best course is to speak to them... Also Melbourne Uni contact email is kendo@musa.net.au.

Both Fudoshin and UMC have excellent Sensei. I think Mine is better but thats club prejudice http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/laugh.gif

But like i said. Email all three and get the information you need. You can make up your mind based on cost, when trainings are held and where they are...

Thanks again for all your help Gir. I've sent them a message so hopefully I will hear back from them some time this week.

Hopefully there is a new intake in August and I will be able to get started.

How long have you been practicing Kendo, Gir?

Started in 2000 but took about 5 years off for personal reasons... But back now :P

I've heard that "Kendo: The Definitive Guide" by Hiroshi Ozawa is also a must if you are interested in Kendo.

Do you have this book and would you recommend that I purchase it?

I've got it. Its a good read. If you can get it it is worth it.

[quote=sdlee;273086]OK, I will do that.

Would say

http://onlinekendo.com/product.php?n...amboo&proid=22

be appropriate? I noticed on the melbournebudokai site that they charge rougly $50 for the Shinai sword and was wondering if this would be of a similar quality to those found at the dojo?



Hi there sdlee and welcome. Great to read you have found an interest in Kendo. Melbourne Budokai do sell shinais which are supplied through Online Kendo aswell as Sankei. I know this cause I purchased from there. They are are of good quality and are the perfect tools to commence your kendo training. Just a matter of deciding where it is you want to purchase from.

Mick at Online kendo is great and has a wide range of quality shinai and other kendo equipment. My only dilemma with them was trying to decide which shinai I liked, aswell as the amount of cash to spend. I often found myself spending more as I would see something i liked and would "throw it in the cart" so to speak. If you do decide to buy from MBK, the decision making process won't be too difficult. If you head down to MBK on a Tuesday or Thursday night at around 7PM, someone will surely answer any questions you may have. Hope this helps.

[QUOTE=Seiza_Seizure;273110] Hmmmm you with MBK?

Yes anyone can come along to watch a training session. However, this Thursday is Kata - which a lot of people - for reasons that escape me - find boring, I love it but then again I have been said to be a bit mad........

You can go and watch a training session at most of the dojo's however.

Sorry gir,
Not wanting to step on your toes here you know. Just passing on info to sdlee which may or may not be useful. Kata is an aspect of Kendo which one should see.There you go sdlee, kata on Thursday night. Check it out!