Beginners course

Tampere kendo club organizes a beginners course once a year. After completing the course the practitioner understands the basics of kendo and is able to participate with others in regular practice. The course ends in grading exam for 6.kyu around November-December.

During the course we will be going through footwork, basic attacks and some basic techniques. This also includes the budo etiquette, rituals and vocabulary when in a dojo.

You will find the starting date in Facebook, Nääshalli's announcement boards and naturally on our website.

If you are interested in kendo, but still hesitant about joining the beginners course, come and observe at some of our regular practices. 

Our practices are open to viewers, but we ask that you do not create disturbances (loud talking, phone ringing etc.) during the practice and that you do not take pictures/video etc. without permission!
If you have questions or want to chat about kendo, you can do that before the practice starts or after the practice.

Practice times

At the beginning of the first Beginners course practice we will hold a showcase of kendo. After the show everyone is welcome to come and freely try out.

Beginners course practices are on Wednesday and Saturday. Please check the relevant practice times and places on the front page.

We will strive to inform everyone of possible cancellations and changes early. This is done mainly through our Newsletter which you can signup for on the right side of the page (can be in different location on mobile devices). You can also check the reservation status on the City's webTimmi system.

Clothing and equipment

Beginners course will be done without the use of any kendo's protective equipment (bogu). Regular gym clothing (e.g. t-shirt and sweatpants) are fine. 

Practicing is done barefoot.

For safety reasons, please take off any jewelry and remove (or tape over) any piercings for the duration of the practice!

At the end of the course we will be doing a group order for the protective equipment (bogu) and clothing. Used bogu's cost around 150€ and brand new ones go for about 300-600€.

Costs

Our beginners course costs 150€ and it includes:

• Practicing fee for the Autumn

• A shinai (bamboo sword)

• Finnish Kendo Association license and insurance

We also offer a 250€ package that includes:

• Beginners course (practice fee, shinai, license and insurance)

• Practice fee, license and insurance for the spring

• A discount for the spring practice fee (normally 280€ total).

The course ends in 6th kyu grading examination, which costs 20€ to register.

At the end of the course we will be doing a group order for the equipment, which is optional.

Registration

This year we are testing registration through Suomisport. So if you need help or have questions about registration or payment, please contact Mila (mila.lahdenpohja@fudokamae.com).

Registration: https://www.suomisport.fi/events/d177db2f-0beb-49c3-b32b-9b3060bfa7c0