Beginners lessons for Spring 2025 will start on May 5, 2025.
We are pleased to announce that The Spring 2025 Beginners lessons will start on Monday 5/5/2025. Please note that we will not be accepting beginners after this until fall.
Practices are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00-8:00PM at Amos A. Lawrence School gymnasium, 27 Francis St. Brookline, MA. The large gym is located in the rear. Please use the door next to the gym labeled #9 at the center of the building (the school is in a shape of letter "C") for entering and exiting and not the main front door.
You are strongly encouraged to come observe a class prior to signing up if you haven't done so already. Please feel welcome to visit any of our regular practices. For the up-to-date schedule please check our calendar or our facebook page.
If you have decided to begin practicing kendo at BKK, the procedure to sign up online via our membership management site (bkk.clubexpress.com) is outlined in the membership page.
You must be signed up as a member in order to participate due to liability. In addition to the online signup, you will need to bring with you the completed membership application/waiver form (also attached) and receipt of membership payment. Children will have to be accompanied by a guardian at the practice at all times.
As for equipment, you are expected to have a shinai (bamboo sword) of appropriate size of your own. By regulations, if you are a male over 18, you need a size 39. If you are female over 18 age, then you need a 38 or a 39 (Shinai Size Chart here) They are available from many online quality kendo equipment vendors such as:
Please be wary of shinai from eBay and Amazon, as some are not safe for use in kendo. Please purchase them from reputable vendors like above. Use of unsafe shinai will not be permitted.
Wear comfortable workout clothing (t-shirt, shorts/sweats, etc) for physical activity. You will be barefoot so you don't have to worry about shoes except for taking them off at the gym entrance. It would also help to look over the Beginner's Guide and the Terminology page on our website and familiarize yourself with some aspects of kendo.