Information

LOCATIONS

SALINAS Buddhist Temple   •   14 California Street, Salinas

MONTEREY YMCA   •   600 Camino El Estero, Monterey

SCHEDULE  (practices are year-round except during special events and holiday periods)

SALINAS:        Thursday - 6:00-8:00pm (all levels and age)

                            Monday - 6:30-8:30pm (only for members practicing in bogu)

MONTEREY:   Wednesday - 7:00-8:30pm (all levels and ages) Iaido (adults only)

Kendo:  Membership is open year-round to anyone regardless of experience, gender or age, though young children must be able to maintain attention and good behavior for the duration of practice. The youngest will be excused early from the longer practice sessions. We welcome visitors at any practice however, it is advisable to contact us and confirm that there has not been a change in schedule. For beginners, practices begin with an introduction to kendo “reiho” (etiquette) followed by stretching, repetitions of footwork and other exercises. Kendo requires stamina rather than brute strength. Coordination of mind and body are emphasized. Stamina and spirit are built up through consistent practice toward more challenging drills and higher levels of training. No equipment or special clothing is needed to begin. We will loan you a “shinai” (bamboo sword), which we have a limited supply of. We also have new ones you may buy at our cost. Your clothing should be comfortable and suitable for active exercise. Jeans are not advisable; pant cuffs should not drag. After several weeks, you may wear your own “kendogi” (kendo jacket and trousers), available from vendors listed on the RESOURCES page. After a few months of consistent training you may start practicing in “bogu” (armor). We have a limited number of used sets to loan until you can acquire your own.  Prices vary according to quality of material and level of construction. In general the least expensive kendogi are priced about $100-150. Bogu sets start new at about $450. The Resources page has an FAQ and instructions on buying, wearing and maintenance of clothing and equipment.

Iaido:  The Monterey location offers iaido instruction. It is taught concurrently to kendo practice in a separate area of the dojo by Cynthia Tanabe Sensei (5 Dan). Like kendo, iaido is also a martial art discipline for self improvement, however, it involves the use of a metal sword known as an iaitō, which is a blunt metal blade otherwise identical to the sharpened katana of samurai. Unlike kendo, iaido does not employ a bamboo sword, protective armor and a physical practice partner. It is instead the solo practice of a prescribed series of sword movements called kata. There are different schools of iaido in Japan, but it is Seitei Iaido that is taught in Monterey. The twelve standardized kata forms of Seitei Iaido, known collectively as seitei-gata, entails the iaidoka envisioning various scenarios of attack by one or more swordsmen and then alertly responding in a sequence of precise, fluid motions according to the nature of attack. Mind, body and sword coordinate in unsheathing the iaitō to ward off the attack, quickly counter-striking the attacker(s) and then clearing the iaitō with an elegant flourish before sheathing it in stoic composure. The entire sequence is executed in a disciplined state of heightened awareness that controls efficient, responsive movements. Iaido involves a distinctly different sword dynamic from kendo, which is contact orientated, yet the two are complementary sword arts. Advanced iaidoka wear special clothing and accessories which newcomers do not need. We will loan you a “bokuto” (wooden sword) to begin with. For more information, please visit the NCIA page.

E-mail    salinasmontereykendo@gmail.com

Phone (Salinas)     Jimmy Eitoku  (831) 596-2038

Phone (Monterey)    Eddie Hurt    (831) 917-2600

Page updated February 28, 2024

MONTHLY dues for Salinas:

              $25 (under 18 or College)  •  $30 (Adult ) •  $45 (Family rate for two or more)

               A 2-month discount is offered for annual pre-payment (10 months instead of 12)

ANNUAL registration fee for NCKF & AUSKF: April 1 - March 31 (non-prorated)

                   $70 Youth (under 18)    $80 College Student     $110 Adult (18 and older)

                   +$50 Initiation Fee for first time applicants only

IAIDO annual registration fee: $35 in addition to the annual NCKF & AUSKF amount