Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords (shinai) as well as protective armor (bōgu). (according to Wikipedia).

You need to join one of our introduction to kendo program (beginners' course). After finishing, you will be invited to join the club.

Beginner's courses run twice a year, usually at the beginning of each ANU semester and are held every Tuesday evening from 8:00 to 9:30 PM. You can find more information here.

If you are an ANU student, you need to pay annual membership which is approx. $100 (Includes the club, ACT and Australian Kendo renmei fees).

If you are a not a student, the fees are approx. $180 and you also need become a member of ANU sport, which is around $120. This gives you access to up to 4 trainings a week

Club fees match financial year: It covers from 1st of July to the 30 of June of the next year.

If you decide to join the club after the beginner course, the club can lend you equipment, except for the kendo uniform (If you join the club, this might be arranged by the club). However, in the long term, you are expected get your own equipment.

Shinai cost about $45

Kendo uniform sets cost about $220

There are several competitions along the Year:

• In April is the Australian Kendo Championship.
• If you are ANU student, there is Unisport nationals in September.
• There are state championships and club organized competitions and seminars along the year.
• Our club runs the ACT open August, and last year we run a kendo camp in the blue mountains that probably will be repeated this April or May.

That depends on how often you go to training, but in general, most of the members that joined in the previous beginner’s course are wearing the complete armor by now.