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What is the Saskatoon Kendo Club?
The Saskatoon Kendo Club is a kendo dojo in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, founded in 1981 by Ken Miyaoka. According to the club's site, Miyaoka-sensei has over 50 years of experience and holds the rank of nanadan (7th degree). The club practices at the YMCA in Saskatoon, has about 50 members, and holds an annual seminar each February. Many members have reached at least 1st-degree rank since the club began.
For a beginner, that means a long-established local group with an experienced instructor, a regular practice location, and a yearly event that likely brings in visiting kendo practitioners. If you are considering joining, contact the club before visiting to confirm practice times and what to bring; the site lists Neil as the contact for more information. You can also read the club's quick overview of kendo at Saskatoon Kendo Club to see whether the sport matches your interests.
How can I join the Saskatoon Kendo Club?
Contact the club directly to arrange a visit. The site names Neil as the contact for more information, so email or call him first, then plan to watch or try a practice before committing.
The club practices at the YMCA in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and has roughly 50 members. It was founded in 1981 by Ken Miyaoka, a nanadan (7th degree) with over 50 years of experience, and many members have reached 1st degree or higher. That mix of long-term leadership and regular beginners suggests you can start with little or no experience, though you should confirm current beginner intake and equipment needs with Neil.
What to ask before your first practice
- Whether beginners can join at any time or only at set intervals
- What to wear and whether you need to buy or borrow equipment
- Whether there is a trial or drop-in option before paying dues
- The practice schedule at the YMCA and whether you need YMCA membership
- Whether the annual February seminar is open to new members
Useful context
Kendo is a Japanese fencing martial art using bamboo swords and protective armour. If you want background before contacting the club, the site points to a quick overview of kendo, and Saskatoon Kendo Club is the official source for current contact details and practice times.
Your next step: message Neil with your experience level and ask when you can visit. If you are unsure whether kendo suits you, watch one practice first; the club's size and history make it easy to see how beginners are integrated before you invest in armour.
What should I expect at my first kendo practice?
At a typical first kendo practice, expect to watch, borrow, and move more than you strike. The Saskatoon Kendo Club describes itself as a roughly 50-person club founded in 1981, practicing at the YMCA in Saskatoon, so a beginner session is likely to be a group class with a mix of new and experienced members rather than a private lesson. The club notes its founder, Ken Miyaoka, holds nanadan (7th degree) and that many members have reached at least 1st degree, which suggests a structured, rank-based environment where beginners are usually paired with senior students.
H3 What usually happens
- Arrive early, introduce yourself, and mention it is your first time.
- Watch the opening etiquette: bowing, lining up, and a short warm-up.
- Learn footwork (ashi-sabaki) and how to hold and swing a shinai before any contact.
- Basic strikes are often practiced against a partner or a target, not free sparring.
- Expect a formal bow at the start and end of class.
H3 What to bring and wear
- Comfortable athletic clothing; a gi and hakama are usually not required at first.
- Water and a small towel.
- Remove jewelry and keep fingernails short.
- Ask before buying equipment. A beginner may only need a shinai, and many clubs lend one.
H3 The trade-offs Kendo rewards patience: the first weeks focus on posture, grip, and footwork, so it can feel repetitive before it feels fast. That structure is what makes it safe and accessible for adults and teens, but it is less immediately action-packed than some martial arts. If you want contact and sparring in week one, this may not match that expectation.
For a concrete next step, contact the club before attending to confirm the day, time, and whether a shinai can be borrowed, then arrive 15 minutes early. For broader context on the sport, Saskatoon Kendo Club includes a quick overview of kendo. You can also compare programs through Kendo Canada if you are considering other cities.
What equipment do I need to start kendo at the club?
For your first kendo sessions, you generally need very little: comfortable athletic clothing (a T-shirt and track pants or shorts), a water bottle, and a willingness to learn. The club provides the shared practice space at the YMCA, and beginners typically borrow or are lent a shinai (bamboo sword) before buying their own.
The full set of kendo equipment — bogu (armour), hakama, and kendogi — is usually not required until you have trained for a while and are ready to spar. Your instructor will tell you when it's time. The Saskatoon Kendo Club was founded in 1981 and has about 50 members, so there are plenty of experienced people to ask.
A practical next step: contact Neil through Saskatoon Kendo Club before your first practice and ask what to bring, what to wear, and whether loaner gear is available. The club also holds an annual seminar each February, which is a good time to see the full range of equipment in use.
When and where does the club practice?
Practices are held at the YMCA in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, according to the club's own site. The page does not list specific days or times, so the schedule isn't available from this information alone.
For the current practice schedule, contact Neil through the club's website: Saskatoon Kendo Club.
As a next step, ask about:
- Days and times for beginners versus experienced members
- Whether the YMCA location requires a membership or drop-in fee
- What to bring to a first practice, such as a uniform or protective gear
- Whether the annual February seminar is open to visitors
If you're comparing clubs, treat the fixed location and the February seminar as the concrete planning details here, and confirm the weekly schedule directly before attending.
What is the annual seminar in February and who can attend?
The page only confirms that the Saskatoon Kendo Club holds an annual seminar every February; it does not name the seminar, list its instructors, or state who may attend. So the honest answer is: the site doesn't say. What it does say is that the club practices at the YMCA in Saskatoon, has about 50 members, and was founded in 1981 by Ken Miyaoka, who holds nanadan (7th degree) and has over 50 years of experience.
How to find out who can attend
- Ask the club directly. The page directs inquiries to Neil, so contact him for eligibility, dates and whether non-members or beginners are welcome.
- Check the club's current notices. The site has a "Recent Posts" section, which is where seminar announcements and registration details would most likely appear.
- Expect a common pattern, but treat it as general advice rather than a stated rule: club seminars often open to members first, with visiting kendo practitioners from other dojo allowed by arrangement, and spectators sometimes permitted. Confirm before planning travel.
A concrete scenario
If you train at another dojo and want to attend a February seminar in Saskatoon, email ahead with your name, dojo, rank and whether you need equipment space, then wait for confirmation. If you are a complete beginner, ask whether the seminar is suitable or whether you should instead start with regular practices at the YMCA.
Start here: Saskatoon Kendo Club
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