Kendo age restriction

by josh
(England, Manchester )

There's this kendo club called Kobudokan and it said you have to be 16 or over to join. It's the closest kendo club to me (takes 26 mins to travel there).

I am 14 and I am asking what you think I should do and what your opinions are on this.

Answer: Thank you for your question. It is a bit weird for a dōjō to have such regulations on age like that. But it is their rule. There is nothing we can do about their rules and it shouldn't be our business. They have their own reasons and it is not their job to convince us.

I have my own rules too. I usually tell parents with 9 years old or younger children that I don't teach those younger kids. My reason is that we do not have kids around those ages at the dojo. And they need full attention, which I cannot give them because I have many adult students mixed with beginners and advanced.

It is already hard for me to instruct adults with different levels. I cannot give enough attention and care on these kids at the same time. It is a huge responsibility to have kids at the dojo. That is a part of my reason that I don't have kids under 10.

What Can You Do?

You should go and watch and learn. Is it OK for you to observe their training? If so, go for it!

Observation is a very important part of the learning process. I should say that it is the best way to learn.

Make sure you observe the beginners class. Don't observe the advance and try to do what they do. You need the basics first.

Ask the dōjō owner if you can observe. If you are asked to pay, then pay. Why? It is because you are still learning from what they are teaching.

You are very lucky to have a dōjō within 30 mins from where you live. I have to drive 1 hour (one way, of course) to get to the dōjō I instruct.

Good luck!

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