I'm a student in SMU. How can I join SMU Kendo Club?
We take in a new batch only once each year during Term 1 of the academic calendar.
The next intake of beginners will commence in August 2016, so keep an eye out for that!
For Kendokas with prior experience, please contact us.
How often does SMUKC train? Can I handle schoolwork and training at the same time?
SMUKC trains twice a week, for two hours a session. Many of our club members handle training and school perfectly fine. If your classes clash with these timings, let us know so we can help you out!
Tuesdays: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Saturdays: 11.00am - 1.00pm
Why do you scream so much in Kendo?
Our screams are a technique known as Kiai (気合).Kiai has a multitude of purposes, including intimidating your opponent, relaxing your own muscles, and kickstarting your own fighting spirit. Many martial arts such as Karate, Judo, Kobudo, Aikido, and even Taekwondo use Kiai in some way. Kiai is a display of willpower, and no attack in Kendo is complete without Kiai.
Are there any costs involved for joining SMU Kendo Club?
There are no course fees for SMUKC training sessions. For the beginner classes, all equipment will be provided. You simply have to dress in comfortable sports attire (no shoes required). Towards the middle of beginner classes, you will need to purchase a personal shinai (bamboo sword), gi and hakama (attire). Senior classes will require the additional purchase of bogu (armour). You will only need to purchase this if you wish to join SMUKC officially as a member. The overall cost per session is very low compared to many sports.
Will it be very physically intensive?
Like any sport, you will be pushed to a certain degree so you can improve. Most SMUKC members who never had any sports background handle training perfectly fine.
Does getting struck hurt?
With the right training, receiving an attack at the proper targets won't hurt at all. The Shinai and Bogu are designed in such a way that serious injury is relatively low compared to other sports.
Will I be able to use Kendo in a street fight?
We highly recommend not getting into any fight at all. However if it comes down to the wire, you can use all your understanding of reading opponents, using your body efficiently, and executing lightning fast attacks. An aggressor will not even dare to lift a finger against a strong Kendoka due to their strong Seme (攻め).
All this sounds exciting! How can I learn more or join you?
Stay updated through our Facebook page for our latest activities, or email us at [email protected] for more information.
I'm not from SMU. Can I still join the beginner classes, or train with SMU Kendo Club?
As we are a university club, our training is for students, faculty and staff of SMU only. Students who are on an exchange programme to SMU can join our classes if their exchange period coincides with the start of beginner classes.
If you are a member of the public, you may wish to direct your interest to the Singapore Kendo Club, which conducts classes for the public in English.
We take in a new batch only once each year during Term 1 of the academic calendar.
The next intake of beginners will commence in August 2016, so keep an eye out for that!
For Kendokas with prior experience, please contact us.
How often does SMUKC train? Can I handle schoolwork and training at the same time?
SMUKC trains twice a week, for two hours a session. Many of our club members handle training and school perfectly fine. If your classes clash with these timings, let us know so we can help you out!
Tuesdays: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Saturdays: 11.00am - 1.00pm
Why do you scream so much in Kendo?
Our screams are a technique known as Kiai (気合).Kiai has a multitude of purposes, including intimidating your opponent, relaxing your own muscles, and kickstarting your own fighting spirit. Many martial arts such as Karate, Judo, Kobudo, Aikido, and even Taekwondo use Kiai in some way. Kiai is a display of willpower, and no attack in Kendo is complete without Kiai.
Are there any costs involved for joining SMU Kendo Club?
There are no course fees for SMUKC training sessions. For the beginner classes, all equipment will be provided. You simply have to dress in comfortable sports attire (no shoes required). Towards the middle of beginner classes, you will need to purchase a personal shinai (bamboo sword), gi and hakama (attire). Senior classes will require the additional purchase of bogu (armour). You will only need to purchase this if you wish to join SMUKC officially as a member. The overall cost per session is very low compared to many sports.
Will it be very physically intensive?
Like any sport, you will be pushed to a certain degree so you can improve. Most SMUKC members who never had any sports background handle training perfectly fine.
Does getting struck hurt?
With the right training, receiving an attack at the proper targets won't hurt at all. The Shinai and Bogu are designed in such a way that serious injury is relatively low compared to other sports.
Will I be able to use Kendo in a street fight?
We highly recommend not getting into any fight at all. However if it comes down to the wire, you can use all your understanding of reading opponents, using your body efficiently, and executing lightning fast attacks. An aggressor will not even dare to lift a finger against a strong Kendoka due to their strong Seme (攻め).
All this sounds exciting! How can I learn more or join you?
Stay updated through our Facebook page for our latest activities, or email us at [email protected] for more information.
I'm not from SMU. Can I still join the beginner classes, or train with SMU Kendo Club?
As we are a university club, our training is for students, faculty and staff of SMU only. Students who are on an exchange programme to SMU can join our classes if their exchange period coincides with the start of beginner classes.
If you are a member of the public, you may wish to direct your interest to the Singapore Kendo Club, which conducts classes for the public in English.