What Is Seattle Kendo Kai?

Seattle Kendo Kai (SKK) is a non-profit martial arts organization in Seattle dedicated to the study and practice of traditional Japanese kendo and seitei iaido. Founded in the 1920s, the dojo describes its purpose as sharing the discipline, respect, and spirit of kendo, and it welcomes students of all levels to train in an encouraging, community-focused environment. If you are considering a first visit, the dojo's own guidance is to observe a practice before joining.

What the Dojo Practices

SKK focuses on two related disciplines:

• Kendo — the practice of Japanese fencing, trained through scheduled classes and kata (forms) sessions.
• Seitei Iaido — the technical practice of drawing and sheathing the sword.

The dojo presents itself as community-oriented and open to beginners as well as experienced practitioners, which matters if you are choosing between a competition-focused club and one that emphasizes long-term study and etiquette.

Class Schedule

The published schedule is a practical starting point for planning a visit:

Note the Thursday evening kendo session carries a minimum rank of 3 Dan, so newer students should plan around the Tuesday and Sunday kendo classes instead.

How to Start: Observing a Class

The dojo asks prospective students to watch a practice before trying one. Visitors can observe on Tuesday or Sunday, and the site frames observation as a way to understand the etiquette and energy of kendo in action.

1. Choose a kendo or iaido observation session on the site.
2. Sign up for the observation session through the booking option listed for that class.
3. Attend at the scheduled time and watch the class.

The kendo observation listing shows a variable duration; the iaido observation is listed at 2 hours. Both are booked through the site rather than by simply showing up.

If You Already Train Elsewhere

Visiting kenshi from other dojos are welcome to join practices, whether in town briefly or training longer term. The dojo asks that you contact them in advance to plan the visit, so arrange this before traveling rather than arriving unannounced.

What the Site Does Not Specify

The available information does not state fees, membership costs, required equipment for beginners, or whether a trial class is offered beyond observation. Those details are best confirmed directly with the dojo when you sign up for an observation session or get in touch about a visit.