The University of Oregon Kendo Club is an official UO club sport, which was revived in the 2021-2022 school year. We are a growing organization with many beginners, and we aim to prepare members who desire for promotional exams and competitions. All members of the UO community are welcome regardless of experience, athleticism, age, or time constraints.
- President: Logan Lewis
- Treasurer: Zoë Stein
- Media Coordinator: Evan Ho
- Supply Manager: Evan Ho
- Vice President: Alex Sakon
- Secratary: Quinn Takara
- Chair of the Board: Wenqian Liu
- Club Director: Jennifer Lue
What is kendo?
Kendo, which literally means “the way of the sword”, is the traditional Japanese martial art of fencing. The basic movements and customs are rooted in samurai combat, but modern kendo contains elements of both sport and ritual, and cannot simply be defined as “sword fighting.”
We use a wooden sword (bokuto), which mimics the physics of a real sword, and bamboo sword (shinai), which is more flexible and can be used to spar with a partner. Traditional practices (keiko) are extremely athletic and include footwork, practice swings (suburi), forms (kata), basic strike practice, drills, and sparring practice.
The modern, predominant form of kendo is an assimilation of many different schools (ryu). There are competitions and rank (dan/kyu) testing throughout Japan and around the world. Similar martial arts include kenjutsu, which often derives from a particular school and may stress practicality in combat, and iaido, which emphasizes individual kata performed with a sword similar to an actual nihonto. In Korea, kendo is practiced as “kumdo,” with a few stylistic differences.
You can watch kendo competitions and kata on YouTube channel of the All Japan Kendo Federation and Kendo World magazine.
For more information, see here.
Is kendo for me?
Kendo is a lifelong pursuit. Strength, flexibility, and stature are advantageous, but they are not necessary for success. Even the traditional stance can be modified to meet the needs of practitioners. While we enjoy pushing our limits, participants are encouraged to be aware and proceed within the constraints of their health and to pursue personal goals. Although competitions sometimes pool participants based on rank and gender, everybody practices with each other.
Who can join, and how much does it cost?
UO students and affiliates with access to the Rec Center are welcome. Dues are currently $20/term = $60/year. This money goes mostly towards equipment and travel. You can come to several practices before deciding to join.
Most practitioners will want to have their own bamboo sword from the beginning, which usually runs about $30 for a mid-quality shinai. Uniforms and protective gear easily cost several hundred dollars. However, uniforms and protective gear are not needed for beginners’ practices, and club members can give you advice. When you reach the necessary level of proficiency for participation, testing and most regional competitions require membership in the regional and national federation (~$60/year) in addition to any event registration fees.
What about covid?
Unfortunately, it is notoriously easy for aerosol and airborne germs to spread during kendo. Our current mask policy is in line with the University’s – meaning that wearing a mask is optional.
Does it hurt?
If done correctly, kendo should not hurt beyond muscle burn. However, you can expect blisters and occasional black and blue from off-target strikes and inadvertently hard hits as you and your opponent increase the mutual level of intensity. It is important to look out for the safety of your opponent and practice at a level that is challenging but comfortable for both people. Rarely, serious injuries such as achilles tendon injuries and the possibility for eye injuries also exist, as well as the potential for heat-related injuries and other risks commonly associated with sports. The possibility of falling down and risk of concussion also exists, but all efforts are made to keep this risk to an absolute minimum. In our club, we encourage dialogue and practice at a level of intensity and risk that participants are mutually comfortable with. Ideally, people from age 5 to 95 should be able to practice kendo together, but control and competitiveness will naturally vary among participants.
What if I’m not sure if I want to join?
Casual inquiries are welcome! Please feel welcome to contact one of the current members and stop by practice to check it out. Check our practice schedule to find a time right for you.