Trying and buying armour
Kendo armour can be expensive so we would strongly advise against purchasing your own until you are certain you will continue your kendo training past the beginners course.
Should you decide to continue training after this point you will need to purchase your own:
- armour
- hakama (pleated trousers)
- kendo-gi (jacket)
- bokuto (wooden sword styled on the katana and used for kata)
- a zekken (personalised name plate which fits over the tare)
During the course you will borrow and practise in a set of club armour (bogu). This consists of:
- tare (hip/groin protector)
- dou (breast-plate)
- kote (gloves)
- men (helmet)
You will therefore get the full “kendo experience” with all its weird and wonderful feelings (and smells!) before making any financial commitment.
The club armour will be available to you for a reasonable period after your course, we simply ask that you return the club armour in time for the following beginners class to use it.
When you are ready to purchase your own bogu, for an invaluable guide to kendo equipment and its maintenance, read the Kendo equipment manual.
Club members are a friendly approachable lot and will gladly offer you advice on buying new or second-hand armour.
Post course costs
British Kendo Association membership
On completion of the course you will need to upgrade to full adult membership of the British Kendo Association.
Club session fees
Club session fees also become applicable from this point.
These are:
- £10 per session OR
- £20 per month if you attend a kendo session an average of once per week
- £30 per month if you regularly attend more than one session per week
Account details for setting up a standing order are available on our Facebook group, or by asking a coach.
Other costs
You need to consider the following costs:
- Zekken (Name plate, approximately £40)
- replacement shinai (these are considered consumables and you should have several to hand, approximately £25-£40 depending on what you buy)