Proud Member of :

Canadian Kendo Federation

How to become a member of Shidokan ?

Information for New Students

Shidokan offers Kendo and Iaido training at the Concordia Univeristy (Loyola Campus).
Iaido classes are also offered at the John Abbot College.

Concordia Dojo: New students with no previous kendo experience are accepted to start during the first weeks in January, May and September. Concordia Dojo: New students with no previous Iaido experience are accepted to start during the first weeks in January and September. * Training for Kendo and Iaido is given by Chief Instructor Santoso Hanitijo and Senior Instructor Dean Jolly. Iaido at John Abbott College is on-going throughout the year. Training is given by Shidokan Senior Instructor Dean Jolly. New students may come by anytime. * No Kendo training is offered at John Abbot College.

Fees and Registration

At Concordia the registration process and fees are done through the Loyola campus front office (located at the same place of the Dojo). There are fees for students and for public in general so everyone can join Shidokan. Information about the fees.
* At Concordia, Kendo and Iaido classes are open to everyone over 18.
* At John Abbott, Iaido classes are open to everyone. Please contact us to know about the fees at John Abbott College.

For students with kendo or Iaido experience who wish to join the club, please drop by during one of our regular practices to speak with our Sensei or one of our Senior-students first.

Welcome to Shidokan Kendo and Iaido Club!

We are glad that you have decided to learn the martial art of kendo and/or Iaido. There are some important notes that we would like to communicate to you in order to help with the transition into our club. Here are some of the key points:

• Punctuality : Please be ready 15 minutes ahead of the practice start time. This is to ensure that there is enough time to change and to help with the practice area clean-up.
• What To Wear: For the first several lessons, please wear loose clothing such as a plain T-shirt and shorts or appropriate athletic pants. Kendo requires sliding footwork technique so pants that are too long will not be appropriate. You will be expected to purchase a kendo uniform within the first semester.
• What Not To Wear : Please do not wear watches and any jewelry such as rings, bracelets, large necklaces and large earrings. Stud earrings and small necklace chains are acceptable but not recommendable.
• Shinai (Kendo) / Bokuto (Iaido) : New students are allowed to borrow the kendo club’s shinai or bokuto for the first two weeks of practice. Afterwards, it is expected that each student will purchase their own shinai or bokuto. This is your “sword” so it is important to have and to take care of your own. The kendo club does sell the shinai, but the student may purchase it from anywhere. However, please confirm what size shinai should be purchased if you decide to buy your own from somewhere else.
• Proper Manners/Etiquette : The dojo is a place of respect; for the dojo space itself, your fellow students and for yourself. Please bow into the dojo space when entering or leaving. Please greet other students and sensei (instructors) clearly and politely. The shinai is your “sword” and as such, it must also be treated respectfully and not as a walking stick or a bat.

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Dojo-Kun Jukkajo

Ten Rules of the Dojo

• 一 Reigi: When entering and leaving the Dojo make a deep and reverent bow.
• 二 Do not enter the Dojo untidily dressed; if dressed in Japanese style a Hakama must be worn.
• 三 Maintain a respectful attitude and the most correct posture.
• 四 Be quiet and conscientious; do not engage in noisy chatter, laughter, clapping of hands, or cheering.
• 五 After eating, allow a suitable amount of time to elapse before training.
• 六 If you have taken alcohol do not enter the Dojo, let alone engage in training.
• 七 The sword is one’s soul, the Bogu is one’s armor; handle them with respect according to the correct method.
• 八 The Dojo interior must be kept clean and tidy.
• 九 Do not comment on other styles of swordsmanship or in each other’s technique.
• 十 For those who are training in swordsmanship, take caution against shortness of temper or selfishness; do not be quarrelsome, but always remain serene of heart.

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Beginner's Kendo Booklet

Our Shidokan Senior Members have prepared a begginner's guide (reviewed and approved by Santoso Sensei), to help you in this journey. The Shidokan Beginners booklet is quite friendly and will help you understand basic concepts so you can improve your Kendo in the good direction.

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FAQ (Frequently asked questions)

I'm not sure if I want to join, Do I have to register before being able to try it?

• During the first week of training (Kendo and Iaido) you may come and try our practice to see if it's what you are looking for without registering. Shidokan is a non-profit organization, the fees are intended to cover the rental and maintenance of our facilities.

Where do Iaido classes take place ?

• Iaido classes are offered in two places: Concordia University (Loyola Campus main gym) in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (Montreal), and John Abbott College in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. More information here.

Where do Kendo classes take place ?

• Kendo classes are offered only at Concordia University (Loyola Campus main gym) in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal.
  At Concordia, the classes are open to everyone over 18. More information here.

I have no experience with swordsmanship or fencing: should I pursue Iaido or Kendo? Does one naturally lead to the other?

• Kendo and Iaido are very much related. They share a common root. The majority of high ranking kendoka practice iaido, and vice versa. In the beginning it does not matter which one you start with. Many of our club members, although still inexperienced, practice both. We find one complements the other and help in the understanding of both.
  
  * Kendo is the sparring part of Japanese swordmanship. You will train in full contact with your oponent.
  * Iaido is the sword manipulation part of Japanese swordmanship. We learn a set of forms (kata), practiced alone against imaginary opponents, and repeat over and over again. At the very begining we use a simple wooden sword (bokuto) and then as we progress we use an unsharpened imitation sword (iaito). We learn how to hold, draw, cut, clean, resheath, etc. High ranking students may use a real sharpened sword (Only 3rd Dan and up with Sensei's permission).

May I watch the practice before joining?

• Yes. Visitors are welcome to observe at any practice. Experienced practicioners from other clubs are welcome to join our practice at any time.

What do I wear to my first practice?

• Loose fitting sweats or a track suit are fine. Judo or Karate uniforms also work well if you have them. For safety reasons, jewellery should not be worn.

Do I need equipment?

• Yes. You will need a bamboo sword (shinai) for Kendo and a wooden replica sword (Bokuto or bokken) for Iaido. It is advised to purchase your own in advance.
  * It's recomended for Iaido student to get a pair of Knee pads since many of the Kata (form) start from seiza (sitting on your knees)
  * Iaido students are advised to get a Iaito (unsharpened sword imitation) to be able to practice acurately every movement.

When do I need to get my own uniform and armor?

• You can buy the kendo uniform (Keikogi and Hakama) after you've decided you're going to stick with it. You won't be permitted to wear armor (bogu) until you've been practicing for six months to a year, depending on ability and practice frequency.
  For Iaido your Kendogi and hakama can be used as well. If prefered you may also purchase a IaidoGi (usually in full black)

Where can I buy equipment?

• Shinai are generally available through the club. Uniforms, bokuto (bokken) and armour (bogu) are generally purchased on-line by the members themselves. Some equipment suppliers are listed on the suppliers page. The club's instructors can recommend other reputable suppliers.

How much does equipment cost?

• A basic bamboo shinai generally costs $30-$40 (plus shipping) and should last a beginner 8 to 12 months. A basic wooden Bokken will cost $25-$40 (plus shipping) and will last forever. A good quality KendoGi (uniform) can start at $70. Good quality Bogu (Armor) start at $400.
  * At the begining of your training you will only need a shinai and lots of patience. (Kendo)
  * At the begining of your training you will only need a bokuto, knee pads and lots of patience. (Iaido)

Can I borrow equipment?

• A limited number of sets of armour (bogu) are owned by the club. They are available for members to use at no extra charge. The club has limited numer of shinai (bamboo swords) or bokken (wooden swords) for loan.

What is a beginner class like?

• For the first six to eight months you will learn warm up exercises, footwork, how to swing the sword properly, and execute basic strikes. This is done under the close supervision of an instructor or senior member. You may practice striking senior members wearing armour, but you will not be struck yourself. For the most part, a shinai held at head or wrist level will be used as a target to practice the basic strikes. Kendo is done in bare feet, and you will likely get blisters at some point. There is little aerobic exercise value in Kendo at this stage. Before you can participate in full contact sparring, you need to have the basics down cold.

What is an advanced class like?

• After the first six to eight months you will put on armour and practice the strikes and thrusts in full contact practice with an opponent. The first half of practice will typically be drills, often finished up with intense aerobic conditioning drills. The second half typically consists of free practice sparring with other (more advanced) members of the club.