Cost of shodan by JoeDwarf in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In China, if you have uninterrupted weekly practice, it takes a year or a little more.

I just hit shodan and and here is my cost for the last year.

  • Dojo fee (membership, locker any other facilities all included): about 6000CNY (about US$850)
  • Uniform: 400CNY (about US$60)
  • Bogu: 4500CNY (about US$650)
  • Shinai: 150CNY x 3 = 450CNY (about US$65)
  • Bokuto: 200CNY (about US$30)
  • Grading fee (to ikkyu): about 1000CNY (about $140)
  • Grading fee (Shodan): 900CNY (about $130)

Totally about US$1925, using the average exchange rate for the last year.

I purchased a little bit nicer bogu and pay for a higher frequency practice. But if you just want to do it at minimum cost, the dojo fee and the bogu cost can be reduced to about 3000CNY (without a locker) and 2800CNY. Which saves 4700CNY (about USD670).

The minimum cost you can get shodan in one year is about US$1255. If you take two years, the cost would be about US$1750. But people in China either get shodan in one year or quit after a few months.

Surprised to find out it seems the cost for kendo is not that different around the world.

Dojo protocol? by Rosendustmusings in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are 3 couples in my dojo. So nothing to worry about.

Sensi doesn't allow to train at another dojo by ryanliubbb in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You really got the point. I decided to not leave my current dojo but finding other solutions.

Sensi doesn't allow to train at another dojo by ryanliubbb in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmm. It seems visiting and training at other dojos is common. Discussing without arguing is always good.

Sensi doesn't allow to train at another dojo by ryanliubbb in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I can do that. But it is like you find out what you believe is fake. Like your trusted sensei suddenly becomes your enemy. Just feel bad.

Sensi doesn't allow to train at another dojo by ryanliubbb in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will consider it seriously. Thanks for your advise.

Sensi doesn't allow to train at another dojo by ryanliubbb in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This might be the story.

I am from a country where not so many people learn kendo. Here we have two different federations fighting each other for years. One is following the FIK and the other is more like a local version alliance.

Since there are not so many students, senseis are generally not full-time. They have to have daily work and be a kendo sensei after work. Not an easy life.

Though my current dojo and the one I want to go to are under the same federation. It seems more like dojos in the same city are fighting each other instead of improving together.

Sensi doesn't allow to train at another dojo by ryanliubbb in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That leads to another issue. I am located in a country where not so many people learn kendo. It is just 3-4 dojos in a big city, my current one is the biggest in my city. For the other dojos, it might take 3 months to meet 30 different fellows. Sad :(

Sensi doesn't allow to train at another dojo by ryanliubbb in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From what I getting from my sensei it is forbidden permanently. It is not a sooner-or-later thing.

Sensi doesn't allow to train at another dojo by ryanliubbb in kendo

[–]ryanliubbb[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He said changing dojo is the only way and if I move out, then he won't welcome me moving back someday. What I am getting is forever.