What age can your kids start Kendo?

Kendo is a Japanese martial art that is known for using the shinai and keiko-gi. These days, there are very few martial arts like it in terms of wielding a large weapon with both hands. One of the main benefits of training Kendo is that unlike other martial arts, it’s pretty safe and doesn’t really have injuries.

Because of this, you may be wondering at what age can your kids start Kendo? In this article, we shall discuss the youngest age to get into Kendo and what age is best. Of course, this ultimately depends on the parent and their own beliefs but there are a few things to consider before starting.

What is the youngest age you can start Kendo?

There are no specific ages that you are required to start Kendo. In other words, if your child was a toddler then theoretically they could begin training. So long as the dojo is ok with it and it’s a safe environment then starting Kendo can be done at any age and there are no laws forbidding it. Of course, there are a few common-sense rules to follow.

Start when your child is old enough

Overall, it’s probably best to start your child in Kendo when they’re ready, as opposed to a set time or age. For example, one child may be comfortable starting aged four, whilst another may feel better starting aged eight. Ultimately, it should be their decision, and make sure you don’t force them into training when they don’t want to. Remember, martial arts is already filled with lots of pushy parents so you don’t want to make your child unhappy by forcing them into training from an early age.

Do kids need their own Kendo stick?

Generally speaking, an adults Kendo stick should be heavy enough for a kid to hold. Under most Kendo rule sets, your shinai must weigh no less than 400 grams. This is enough for a child to hold with both hands, provided they’re not too young or weak. In some cases, you can even buy a child’s shinai which is extra lightweight. This means that if weight is a problem then they can always train with an alternative.

Is Kendo safe for kids to learn?

Although Kendo may look dangerous to an outsider, the reality is that it’s actually one of the safer martial arts to learn. Due to the protective outfit, you’re not really going to get hurt very easily when training Kendo. This goes for sparring as well. Generally, martial arts are known for causing physical injuries such as broken bones and concussions.

Thankfully, this isn’t the case with Kendo. Not only is the clothing protective but the shinai is also designed to cause minimal damage. Although getting hit with a Kendo stick would hurt without padding, this is something you don’t have to worry about.

Can kids train with adults in Kendo?

In Kendo, it’s common for kids to train with adults. In fact, you could argue that it’s better in some ways. The reason for this is that an adult training partner may be more gentle and patient. Obviously, any adult with a brain won’t try and hurt the child either and will let them work on technique. With kids, sometimes they can get over-excited together and not much learning happens. So, due to the nature of kendo, training with adults is fine.

If it was something like boxing where there’s a clear physical advantage then this may be a problem. However, as it’s training with light swords and armor, there’s no need to worry. Just check ahead if this is an issue as some Kendo clubs will not have kids classes, whilst others do have them.

Conclusion

Kids can learn Kendo from whatever age they want. This is providing they’re physically capable of doing so. Just always remember as a parent not to be too pushy and to respect their boundaries. The beauty of learning Kendo from a young age is there for all to see though.

It should hopefully provide your child with assertiveness, confidence, balance, and athleticism which is useful as they grow up. Conveniently, it’s also very safe which is also nice to know when thinking about your kid trying out a martial art.