Beginners Course - Autumn 2025

23rd April - 28th May

The journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step

Update 19th April: We’re afraid that the beginners’ course is now full and we won’t be taking any more signups at this stage. Thank you everyone who’s shown an interest. For those who’ve signed up, we’ll be in touch over the weekend, and look forward to seeing you next week!

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of Kendo? Join us for our Beginners Course at Yōshinkan Kendo Club This unique martial art not only teaches you the techniques and skills of wielding the Japanese sword, but it’s also a great workout and cultivates discipline, focus, and inner strength.

Whether you are a Japanophile seeking to deepen your appreciation for culture, or someone looking to make new friends and try something new, our club offers the perfect environment to learn, grow, and connect with others.

Our beginners course will introduce you to the fundamentals of Kendo, including how to hold and swing the bamboo sword, how to stand and move, and how to make correct cuts to your opponent. The introduction is low contact, and by the end of it we hope to leave you hungry for more!

Sign up today and take your first steps on the Way of the Sword!

Key Information

Length: 6 Weeks

When: 23rd April - 28th May, 2025

Every Wednesday, 6:30pm - 8pm (Seniors will continue until 8:15, and you're welcome to watch)

Where: Mt Cook School Hall, Tory Street, Wellington City

Cost: $40 for 6 lessons

Any questions? hello@yoshinkankendo.nz

More details in the FAQ section below.

FAQs

  • Our Beginners Course is a six week introduction to Kendo. We run two courses a year with the changing of the seasons.

    • Every Wednesday, 6:30pm - 8pm (Seniors will continue until 8:15, and you're welcome to watch)

    • Mt Cook School Hall, Tory Street, Wellington City

    • The course is open to anyone 12 years and over

    • Don't worry if you cannot make every session - we all learn at our own pace and we will repeat concepts and fundamentals

    • The price of the course is $40 for 6 lessons.

    Our beginners course will introduce you to the fundamentals of Kendo, including how to hold and swing the bamboo sword, how to stand and move, and how to make correct cuts to your opponent.

    Please fill out your details on this page. Drop us an email at hello@yoshinkankendo.nz if you have any questions.

  • 23rd April - 28th May, 2025

  • You don't need any equipment, everything will be supplied.  Please wear comfy shorts or ¾ pants (not down to the ground please) and t shirt.  

    An instructor or senior student will introduce themselves and help you find your feet.

    Let us know if you have a medical condition (we can work around most things so don’t let it put you off). 

  • Full time members of our club pay a regular subscription in order to contribute to the cost of hiring venues and maintaining club equipment.

    Monthly Subscriptions

    • Waged: $40 per month

    • Unwaged: $30 per month

    • Family waged: $30 + $20 per additional member per month

    • Family Unwaged: $20 + $10 per additional member per month

    Armour Rental

    You can rent armour from the club for an additional $10 per month.

  • You won't need any equipment during your introduction to Kendo, all necessary equipment will be provided by the club. Once you're ready to join the club as a member, you'll want to consider buying some of your own equipment.

    • Shinai & Bokuto - Within a month or two you may want to buy a shinai bamboo sword (about $70) and a bokuto wooden sword (about $70) and carry case ($15- $50).

    • Keikogi & Hakama - You can buy keikogi (jacket) and hakama (trousers) and wear these at any time. Senior members will show you how to wear, fold, and care for them. (Costs are about $150-300 per item new; second hand may be available).

    • Bogu - When you are ready, we will talk to you about whether you want to buy bogu (armour) from about $500 or whether you want to hire them from the club until you feel you can afford to buy armour.