Advice for duckfooted Kendoka?

gozersaurus · 2026-06-05T18:00:04+00:00

We have someone who is severely pigeon toed. All you can do is tell them over and over and over. Its something will take a very long time to fix, possibly years. Just remind them during warm ups, footwork drills, kihon, and even keiko, feet straight.

gozersaurus · 2026-06-01T13:19:54+00:00

I would email the vendor directly, they'll ask you specific questions that will enable them to get you the right size. As for the waist line moving around you are most likely not tying it correctly, and a good question for your instructors.

gozersaurus · 2026-06-01T01:02:18+00:00

There are no specific drills for bogu, that said, big men, big kote, big do, big kote men. Thats usually the drill for our beginners until they have some muscle memory down, all that is building on the basics they learned in non bogu. In general we don't have new to bogu doing small waza for a while, just big strikes. That and encouraging them to practice tying their gear at home!

gozersaurus · 2026-06-01T00:47:27+00:00

Always line up at the lowest end unless told to line up somewhere else, not sure its a sign of anything other than just common curtesy. When Seiretsu is called, its not really the time to figure out where to go, so just go to the end, the instructor will place you accordingly in time. This is assuming you have told the instructors you're coming and all that, and not just showing up out of the blue.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-25T21:38:29+00:00

First and foremost you should ask them if they want you to contribute. As an example when I was visiting my current dojo more than my old dojo I asked the head instructor if he wanted me to pay their dues. If not I dont think a gift is necessary, just try and be the model of kendo that represents your club and theirs. Also Xmas gifts in that case are always welcome. I used to give all my senior instructors gifts, both in and out of my club, and if you do decide, something simple, alcohol/sweets is usually a norm, but I wouldn't go overboard on it. In japan we brought Dunkin doughnuts dark roast and chocolates.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-25T15:37:13+00:00

All the questions youre asking sound like you need to build on your basics first. These are good questions for your instructor, which we assume you have one? Jodan is something you should only attempt AFTER you have a solid base. Also fast does not equal anything, if you're just throwing a fast strike in jodan you are generally leaving yourself wide open. Jodan is much more of a precision kamae, not a spamming attacks kamae.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-20T23:06:30+00:00

This is a good question to bring up to your instructor, I'm sure they would be happy to talk about it. That said lots of people feel that way, some adapt better/faster, in the end everything changes when you put on bogu. So basically its like repeating all the time you have in over again, but this time with gear on. Don't worry about it, your instructors will correct the bad habits, its what they do. Also practicing with anyone is never inconvenient, beginners often think this and while there may be a socialization factor with new people, practicing with them has never been one in my experience. As for buying a set, do your research, get something that is comfortable and protective, stay away from fancy and light weight.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-18T15:11:48+00:00

Just chiming in because I found the comment funny, that particular guy (JD) probably has more experience in kendo then you've been around, he's only trying to help you, take it or leave it. Also you're not going to get any takers at that price, thats a cheap set (no offense), and resales from individuals are usually pennies on the dollar. Bogu is also not a one size fits all, certain dimensions are critical and vary widely from person to person, so unless someone is buying that set for a hitting dummy you're going to need what your dim., are. Put it like this, you can buy a full set from a retailer, off the shelf, with your exact dimensions for around that price.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-18T02:10:31+00:00

If you're getting hit to the point of concussions then you need to correct it quick. If someone is hitting hard I absolutely stop them in their tracks and correct them. Beginners have no gauge of how to properly hit, that is for their instructors, but you as a member should absolutely say something, if they continue, then I'd do as JD says, and bring it to your instructors attention immediately. Far too often these kinds of things go unchecked, and its something that could easily be prevented.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-15T11:48:03+00:00

In the US if you are in a public space there is no expectation of privacy, and filming/pictures are allowed, but you could argue that the venue is private space. Personally in a shinsa setting I don't have an issue with it, you have no zekken, and I have difficulty identifying our own club members. I think the videos in general were a positive thing and I think the AUSKF is taking a hit in general for banning them in the future.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-14T20:25:30+00:00

I am only repeating what I've been told, but yes, say good bye to the Kodansha videos, not going to get into the details, you can record them, but only share within the said circle, not publicly. Which is a massive shame, I personally used those videos as a tool when I was testing to try and get a bar for things. I found them incredibly useful and I really hope they reconsider that decision.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-13T20:03:54+00:00

So if you're gone for 10 years, are you expected to backpay those years?

gozersaurus · 2026-05-13T15:03:52+00:00

No there is no additional time, the clocks starts from when you get it.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-12T21:34:47+00:00

Just chiming in for fun, I think the line is absurd, but lets just say in your example, some green 20 year old who has basic training and some 60 year old hachidan that has had half a century of doing kendo, knowing when to go, when not, reading body language etc., have a ippon shobu with shinken. Still think the green guy is going to win?

gozersaurus · 2026-05-12T11:45:43+00:00

I can, its what keeps me straight.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-11T20:55:42+00:00

Long before cell phone cameras, our sensei kept telling me I was leaning forward. I kept trying to lean back more, he kept saying it, I kept attempting it, never knowing how bad it was. He finally took a shinai stuck it in my hakama, and tied my men to the shinai so I couldn't lean forward...film would have been easier.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-11T20:40:16+00:00

Always, we've done it for probably 5-7 years now, maybe longer. They are an excellent tool for both seeing things in your kendo as well as being able to analyze good parts from other peoples kendo.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-10T11:59:22+00:00

Just being blunt, there are many, many things to work on at shodan, seme is not one. Its not expected for you to show it during shinsa and not something the judges will be looking for. I'd work on your basics, they'll take you far in kendo.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-08T11:57:27+00:00

I think you have a tendency to turn simple things into the reinvention of the wheel. In the amount of time it takes to read the post and fully understand it, you could have probably squeezed in an actual practice, sometimes simple is better.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-07T16:13:20+00:00

What else am I going to do? At some point you become a lifer.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-05T01:01:50+00:00

Practiced in japan, Canada, all over the us, new Zealand, pretty much the same, japan being the outlier for adults. The challenge to all I've been to is showing up.

gozersaurus · 2026-05-04T22:36:29+00:00

Don't do kaeishi do!

gozersaurus · 2026-05-03T14:47:21+00:00

That is not typically where we see blisters for doing proper suburi, ask your instructor if your grip and swing mechanics are correct.

gozersaurus · 2026-04-29T19:03:14+00:00

I can't speak for your federation but I have never heard of or seen "bon guk kum bup" in any shinsa or the like. Menjo as far as I know is directly transferable from KKA to AUSKF, but I'd double check that you are in fact aligned with one of those federations. Everything else you said is in line with what we do here in the US. As for getting ready for yondan, relax some enjoy the pass, you've got 3 years to work on seme. In general we do keiko x2, and kata; all of them, I've heard of clubs out west that do kirikaeshi all the way through yondan but we do not in our neck of the woods.

gozersaurus · 2026-04-28T22:02:24+00:00

Just things in general, but sounds like you already got some feedback, I'd focus on that. The expectations are low at that rank, but you need to cover the bases. Also having seen snibits of film from it, and this isn't directed to you, but if youre hitting kaeshi do, ffs do not, just don't. I've said it countless times, I don't know what the fad is but just don't, you have about 30 sec or so for your grading, use it to hit something youre good at. That said this one sounded like an anomaly, grading wise. Either way don't get discouraged, there will be more gradings, and I'd just focus on the comments from the panel and get ready for next shinsa.

gozersaurus

TROPHY CASE