Beginners Course - august 2026

10th August - 2nd September

The journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step

Join us for our Beginners Course at Yōshinkan Kendo Club. This unique Japanese martial art teaches you the techniques and skills of wielding the sword, while also building strength, sharpening focus, and cultivating discipline and inner calm.

Whether you're someone drawn to Japanese history and culture looking to deepen your connection to it, or simply looking to try something new and meet great people, our club offers a welcoming space to learn, grow, and connect.

Our beginners course covers the fundamentals of Kendo: how to hold and swing the shinai (bamboo sword), correct stance and footwork, and how to strike with accuracy and control. It's low-contact and beginner-friendly. By the end, we hope you'll be hungry for more!

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Key Information

Length: 4 Weeks

When: 10th August - 2nd September, 2026
Every Monday and Wednesday, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (Seniors will continue until 8:15, and you're welcome to watch)

Where:

  • Monday: Dance Studio 1, Te Whaea, 11 Hutchinson Rd, Newtown, Wellington

  • Wednesday: Mt Cook School Hall, Tory Street, Wellington City

Cost: $40 for 8 lessons

Any questions? hello@yoshinkankendo.nz

More details in the FAQ section below.

FAQs

  • Our Beginners Course is a four week introduction to Kendo.

    • Every Monday and Wednesday, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (Seniors will continue until 8:15, and you're welcome to watch)

    • The course is open to anyone 12 years and over

    • Don't worry if you cannot make every session - we all learn at our own pace and we will repeat concepts and fundamentals

    • The price of the course is $40 for 8 lessons.

    Our beginners course will introduce you to the fundamentals of Kendo, including how to hold and swing the bamboo sword, how to stand and move, and how to make correct cuts to your opponent.

    Please fill out your details on this page. Drop us an email at hello@yoshinkankendo.nz if you have any questions.

  • 10th August - 2nd September, 2026

  • You don't need any equipment, everything will be supplied.  Please wear comfy shorts or ¾ pants (not down to the ground please) and t shirt.  

    An instructor or senior student will introduce themselves and help you find your feet.

    Let us know if you have a medical condition (we can work around most things so don’t let it put you off). 

  • Full time members of our club pay a regular subscription in order to contribute to the cost of hiring venues and maintaining club equipment.

    Monthly Subscriptions

    • Waged: $40 per month

    • Unwaged: $30 per month

    • Family waged: $40 + $20 per additional member per month

    • Family Unwaged: $30 + $10 per additional member per month

    Armour Rental

    You can rent armour from the club for an additional $10 per month.

  • You won't need any equipment during your introduction to Kendo, all necessary equipment will be provided by the club. Once you're ready to join the club as a member, you'll want to consider buying some of your own equipment.

    • Shinai & Bokuto - Within a month or two you may want to buy a shinai bamboo sword (about $70) and a bokuto wooden sword (about $70) and carry case ($15- $50).

    • Keikogi & Hakama - You can buy keikogi (jacket) and hakama (trousers) and wear these at any time. Senior members will show you how to wear, fold, and care for them. (Costs are about $150-300 per item new; second hand may be available).

    • Bogu - When you are ready, we will talk to you about whether you want to buy bogu (armour) from about $800 or whether you want to hire them from the club until you feel you can afford to buy armour.

Sign Up

Join us and start your journey on the Way of the Sword. Fill in this form, or email us at hello@yoshinkankendo.nz.