Family Kendo in Maryland: Japanese Swordsmanship in Damascus

Family Kendo is our Japanese swordsmanship class for ages 10 and up, where parents and kids train together. It's open to all skill levels, including complete beginners.

What you and your child will learn

• The basics of kendo. Footwork, posture and how to hold and swing the shinai (bamboo sword).
• Control the center. Holding the centerline keeps you able to strike your opponent while making it very hard for them to strike you.
• Kamae, seme and timing. A steady stance, pressure on your opponent, and recognizing the right moment to strike.
• Ki-ken-tai-no-ichi and zanshin. Spirit, sword and body moving as one, then staying alert and following through after the strike.
• More than technique. Kendo started over a thousand years ago in Japan, and modern kendo training is about 200 years old. It still teaches students to deal with their own fears, hesitations, doubts and confusion while being respectful members of the community.
• Fitness and focus. Kendo builds agility and stamina, and it keeps your mind sharp.

What a class looks like

On your first visit, you line up with the class for the opening salute, and the class welcomes you. Then an instructor works with you one-on-one. You'll try a slow-motion strike, learn how controlling the center works, and learn the men strike (a strike to the head). Then you join the class with a helper beside you.

Regular classes rotate through four elements: kata and waza (pairs practice), applications (partnered drills), keiko (sparring), and equipment instruction and maintenance. Understanding the basics takes just a few months, even though people study kendo their entire lives.

Beginners start with a bokken (wooden practice sword) and a shinai. When you're ready, you buy a kendogi (kendo uniform). After that, you train in loaner armor (bogu) until you buy your own full bogu. Once you have your own full bogu, you can rank up by going to shinsa (a kendo grading exam).

We post the topic for every class, and every lesson is pre-recorded, so members can watch it in our app or member site before class for a preview or when reviewing for a test. Class days are on our class schedule.

Is it right for us?

Family Kendo is a great fit if:

• Your child is 10 or older and likes structure, tradition, or the idea of training with a sword.
• You want an activity you can do with your child, not just drive them to.
• You're an adult looking for a new challenge that's good for both body and mind.

If you've been looking for kendo in Maryland, our Family Kendo class meets at our school in Damascus, MD.

Try your first class free

Your first class is free. Wear comfortable athletic clothes and take off any jewelry. There's a water fountain at the school. We provide the training equipment beginners need. If you like it, you can start a 10-day trial. We ask for a refundable uniform deposit before a uniform goes home. Memberships start at $159 a month.

In the booking form, pick Free Intro – Kendo (10+).

Questions families ask

Do we need to buy a sword or armor to start?

No. Beginners start with a bokken and shinai, and we provide the training equipment beginners need. You buy a kendogi when you're ready, and you can use loaner armor until you buy your own.

Can a parent and child both start as beginners?

Yes. That's what Family Kendo is for. Parents and kids learn the basics side by side.

Is kendo safe?

Yes. Kendo uses a bamboo sword, and contact practice is done in protective armor. Instructors teach control and etiquette from the very first class.