Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the enquiry form on our Contact Page or Facebook and we’ll know to expect you. We recommend watching a practice session first to see if what we do appeals to you, but if you’re the type that likes to get stuck in that’s ok too!

​After your first session you’ll be asked to join the British Kendo Association. A three month temporary membership costs £10 and covers your insurance for that period. If you decide to carry on training beyond then you’ll join as a full member – price depends on what art(s) you do. Full membership allows you to attend seminars, competitions and take grading examinations.

Within the British Kendo Association there are are Kyu grades and Dan grades. However the lower Kyu grades are ignored – training for around 12 to 18 months will usually take you from absolute beginner to ready for 1st Kyu examination, taken before a panel of external examiners, usually at a seminar.

New members and visitors can pay a flat fee of £5 on the night.  Regular members pay by monthly debit, the amount depending on how many times a week you train.

Beginners can borrow everything they need from the Dojo, but after a time it’s normal to purchase equipment of your own. Costs are variable, clothing and wooden/bamboo weapons are relatively cheap. Swords for Iaido and Armour (Bogu) for Kendo start at around £300 but for higher quality items you get what you pay for. We strongly recommend that beginners do not spend much money until they are sure they want to continue.

You don’t need a licence, but to buy a sword you do need to be a member of an approved organisation. There are laws around the purchase of Japanese-style swords, so please do not buy one without seeking advice from Dojo leaders. Also not all swords are suitable for Iaido, only Iaito inspected by Dojo leaders can be used for training.

Training once a week in an art is the bare minimum to make reasonable progress. There are other Dojos in the area that British Kendo Association members can attend for additional training in Hebburn (Kendo) and Sunderland (Iaido).

Compared to many physical activities the risk of injury is low, but these are martial arts. Bruises happen in Kendo and Jodo, injuries are rare in Iaido but when sharp swords are involved there is always risk of cuts and worse, which is why lower grades are not allowed to use them.

All Martial Arts share similar values and all traditional Japanese Arts are based around etiquette. However some aspects of sword arts are different to other martial arts so please keep an open mind – what you already know may not transfer to Kendo or Iaido or Jodo.

Many people who have enjoyed Martial Arts training in their past but have had to give up for some reason, such as age or injury, find a new avenue of training in Japanese Sword Arts. Contact in Kendo and Jodo is limited, and there is virtually none in Iaido so there are plenty of training options for those with joints that creak. You don’t need to be young and fit…….but admittedly it helps! For those who have trained in Arts such as Aikido and have some knowledge of the Katana and the Jo, then Iaido and Jodo are a natural progression.

Please contact us first to say you’d like to come down rather than just turning up, it helps if we know we’ll have a beginner to look out for.

For your first few sessions just wear a t-shirt and track suit bottoms or clothing from previous martial arts (e.g. Aikido). When you get to the point of buying your own equipment you’ll wear the traditional Japanese Sword Art clothing. This comprises a hakama (pleated skirt-like trousers) and Keikogi (jacket) – blue for Kendo & Jodo; blue, black or white for Iaido. Iaido and Jodo also require an obi (belt); Iaido practitioners also usually wear kneepads.

Many people like to watch a session before taking part, but some prefer to get involved straight away. There will be a wide range of ages, abilities and experience but everyone will be dressed similarly – no coloured belts!

After a warm-up/stretch there will be a formal beginning to the session, then Kihon – repetitive practice of basic technique. The bulk of the training session will depend on the Art, but will likely focus on some specific aspect or technique. Beginners may be training separately from the main group.

In all three arts there are a number of basic techniques to learn which can take weeks of practice before you’re ready to join the main group. Expect weeks of Kendo training before you are ready to wear armour and fence with other people!

No, Kendo, Iaido and Jodo are all related but most members do one or two. For example practically all Jodo practitioners also do Iaido, while Kendo and Iaido are said to complement each other. There is enough in any one of these forms of Budo for a lifetime’s study.

Ojika Dojo has been in the Heaton area of Newcastle upon Tyne for over 20 years. We currently train in two venues – Heaton Community Centre (for Kendo and Iaido) and Walkerville Community Centre (for Jodo). Both venues are very accessible by public transport.

For Heaton CC – catch the Metro to Chillingham Road Station or the 63 or 64 bus to Chillingham Road. It’s a 10 minute walk to Trewitt Road.

For Walkerville CC – catch the Metro to Walkergate Station then it’s a 5 minute walk along Appletree Gardens.

Car parking space is available at both venues.