Start Here: Find Your Kendo Path

Choose Your Starting Point

Welcome. You do not need to know exactly what to study yet. Choose the description closest to your experience, and I will guide you to a starting point.

These three paths are free to read. No email signup is required.

  1. Level 1 — Start Kendo
    I am exploring kendo or starting from zero. Learn what to expect, etiquette, posture and basic movements.
  2. Level 2 — Build Strong Basics
    I already train at a dojo and want to review fundamentals between classes. Follow the basics sequence alongside your instructor’s guidance.
  3. Level 3 — Improve with Purpose
    I practise in bōgu and want to refine my kendo, including preparation for 1–3 dan. Connect posture, distance, timing, striking and zanshin.

Not sure? If you have not started at a dojo, choose Level 1. If you already train but want a stronger foundation, choose Level 2. You can move between paths whenever you need a review—these are learning routes, not a test or a rank.

Returning after a break? Begin with Level 2 and ask your instructor where to focus. Working toward 4-dan? Level 3 also explains how my expectations for seme change at that stage.

Already have a specific question? Browse the learning directory.

It's More Than Hitting with Sticks

Most people's first impression of kendo is the sound — the crack of bamboo, the shout, the intensity. But that's just the surface.

Physically, kendo is a modern martial art rooted in traditional Japanese swordsmanship. You train with a shinai (bamboo sword) and, eventually, bogu (armor). The movements are precise, the footwork is demanding, and the technique takes years to refine — which is exactly what makes it worth pursuing.

Mentally, kendo develops what practitioners call zanshin — a calm, continuous awareness — and fudoshin, an immovable mind that doesn't panic under pressure. These aren't abstract concepts. You feel them in your body after enough practice.

In spirit, kendo follows the principle of Ken Zen Ichinyo — the sword and the mind as one. You are not just learning to strike. You are learning to be present, to be honest, and to keep improving. That is what "the way of the sword" actually means in daily life.

Why Learn from This Site?

I am Hiro Imafuji. I began kendo in 1980 at Shubukan in Itami, Japan, learning from the late Juichi Tsurumaru sensei. That foundation shapes the kendo I share here.

I earned 7-dan in April 2024 and the title of Kyoshi through an examination in April 2026. Kyoshi recognizes a deep understanding of the principles of the sword and outstanding judgment, together with the social understanding and conduct expected of someone who guides Renshi and those below that title.

This site helps you understand both how to practise and why the details matter. Use the lessons to support your dojo training and prepare questions for your instructor.

Read more about Hiro and Kendo Guide.

Three Things That Stop People Before They Start

“Am I too old to start?” People begin kendo at many ages. You do not need to arrive with polished skills. Talk with an instructor about a suitable starting pace and how to adapt practice to your circumstances.

“Do I need equipment first?” Ask the dojo what beginners should wear, bring or borrow before buying anything. Use the Level 1 introduction to learn what to expect.

“What if I have no dojo nearby?” Begin with Level 1 to understand etiquette, terminology and basic movements, and look for a kendo dojo. Online lessons can help you prepare, but they do not replace an instructor. Do not attempt unsupervised partner striking.

Want to see what kendo looks like? Watch how Anthony Bourdain discovered kendo in Tokyo.

Optional Email Guides

Want an extra reminder for your practice? The buttons below open the existing email signup forms for each guide. These are optional—you can read all three learning paths above without signing up.

Level 1 — Start Kendo

No dojo. No equipment. No experience.

You have never practiced kendo before, or you are just exploring whether it is right for you. You may not have a dojo nearby, and you have not purchased any equipment yet.

Your free guide: "The First Dojo Visit Success Checklist" Everything you need to know before you walk into a dojo for the first time — what to expect, what to bring, how to behave, and what questions to ask.

GET THE LEVEL 1 CHECKLIST

Level 2 — Build Strong Basics

You are training regularly but still building your fundamentals.

You have joined a dojo and you are showing up consistently. You know the basics but feel like something is not quite clicking yet. You want to sharpen what you already have.

Your free guide: "The 10-Minute Better Basics Daily Drill" A simple daily practice routine you can do at home to reinforce what you are learning at the dojo — even in a small space, even on busy days.

GET THE LEVEL 2 DRILL GUIDE

Level 3 — Improve with Purpose

For practitioners refining their kendo and preparing for grading.

Optional email guide: “Seme & Sutemi: The Mental Checklist for Dan Grading.”

Keep the emphasis appropriate to your stage: for 1–3 dan, I prioritize refined kihon, particularly sophisticated compact strikes at 3-dan. At 4-dan, I expect seme. The Level 3 learning path explains this distinction.

GET THE LEVEL 3 CHECKLIST

Your Next Step

Choose one path and begin with its recommended starting point. You do not need to read the whole website today.

Bookmark your path, try one lesson, and bring one question to your instructor. Return to the same path when you are ready for the next step.

Looking for additional structured instruction? Explore the books and courses when you are ready. You can begin with the free paths above.

Kendo is a lifelong practice. There is no rush. Start where you are.

— Hiro Imafuji, Kyoshi 7-dan Kendo-Guide.Com