UCLA Club Sports

Practice Times

Monday, 8:30-10:30 PM
Wednesday, 8:30-10:30 PM
Friday, 7:30-9:30 PM

Location: Gold Room, John Wooden Center

Please come to practice at least 15 minutes early!

Fees

Club Sports (administrative): $50/year
Kendo Club Fee: $35/quarter or $100/year

Equipment

Beginners only need a shinai (bamboo sword). It can be purchased from the club for $35 (price variable depending on the vendor). The uniform and bogu (armor) may be purchased later. 

How to Join the Club

Step 1:
Come out to our practices and try kendo out for yourself. If you do not have a shinai (bamboo sword), still come. You'll have an opportunity to practice your foot work, and other members may let you borrow their shinai if you ask nicely. 

Step 2:
Pay the Club Sports annual registration fee of $50 (online or in person at JWC)

Step 3:
Pay the club fee of $35 for each quarter either online or in person. Talk to the treasurer for more info.

Kendo Etiquette

Kendo is an art form that utilizes the sword, the body, and the environment. Within kendo, rei-gi (etiquette) is a very important aspect to internalize because without it, kendo no longer becomes an art form but instead will develop into a bashing of the opponent where the only goal is to win by any means possible. As it is said, "do unto others as you would have them do unto yourself". This means that if you want respect, you should be respectful yourself. At UCLA, rei-gi is expected of all practitioners of the club. Not only does rei-gi help the kenshi develop their kendo, it is also respectful of the dojo and of the other kenshi who you will practice with. 

Dojo Manners:

1. Greet other members when you arrive ["Good Evening" = "Konban-wa"]
2. No shoes in the dojo [take your shoes and socks off and place them out of the way before entering]
3. Turn off your cell phones
4. Enter the room with a bow while you say loudly and clearly "O-ne-ga-ishi-masu" ("Please") loudly
5. When leaving the room at the end of practice, say loudly and clearly "A-ri-ga-tou-go-zai-masu" ("Thank you")
6. When leaving, bow and say "Sayonara" ("Goodbye") or "Oyasumi-nasai" ("Good night")
7. When another member leaves in such a fashion (#6) respond with "Sayonara" or "Oyasumi-nasai"

What to Wear/Bring:

First-Time Beginners: T-shirt and shorts/fitting workout pants for ease of movement, safety and correction of movements
Kendo Uniform: Keikogi and Hakama Manual
Kendo Bogu: Bogu Manual

Bring a water bottle to keep hydrated!

For further information on Kendo rei-gi, check out the All US Kendo Federation Promo Exam Study Guide. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at lakendo@gmail.com