Inside the app
See Kendo in Martial Arts Toolkit
Real screens from Hillside Kendo Dojo, an example Kendo dojo: its technique library and grading syllabus on a computer, and the Combo Builder on a phone.
Screenshots use example data.
About the art
What is Kendo?
Kendo is the modern Japanese martial art of the sword, descended from the training methods of the samurai. Practitioners wear armour (bogu) and strike with a bamboo sword (shinai) to the head, wrists and body, or thrust to the throat, with spirit, correct posture and kiai.
Practice is built on etiquette, suburi (practice swings) and repeated techniques with a partner. Kendo has no coloured belts: students grade through kyu and dan grades, and the Nihon Kendo Kata are practised with wooden swords.
- Origin
- Japan
- Known for
- Bamboo sword strikes, kiai and etiquette
- Technique names
- Japanese and English names
- Grades
- Unranked Beginner to 1st Dan
How we work with Kendo
Built for the way Kendo is taught
The Kendo technique library and a starter grading ladder are ready when you create your dojo, and you can change any of it to match your syllabus.
Suburi to advanced waza
The library runs from etiquette and suburi through men, kote and do strikes to combinations and counter-techniques, with Japanese names.
Nihon Kendo Kata
The kata are ready to link to the grades that need them, from Ipponme onwards.
Kyu and dan without belts
Start from a common kyu and dan ladder with no belt colours, and set the practice each grade needs.
From the Kendo library
- Straight Head Strike (Shomen-Uchi)
- Wrist Strike (Kote)
- Torso Strike (Do)
- Leaping Head Strike (Tobikomi-Men)
- Wrist-Head Combination (Kote-Men)
- Head Strike at the Moment of Attack (Debana-Men)
Kata ready to use
- Nihon Kendo Kata Ipponme
- Nihon Kendo Kata Nihonme
- Nihon Kendo Kata Sanbonme
- Nihon Kendo Kata Yonhonme
- Nihon Kendo Kata Gohonme
- Nihon Kendo Kata Ropponme
- Nihon Kendo Kata Nanahonme
- Nihon Kendo Kata Kodachi Ipponme
And 11 more, plus any you add yourself.
Running the dojo
Everything else your dojo needs
Registers, gradings, payments and the student portal all use the same student record, so nothing has to be copied between spreadsheets.
Registers and attendance
Take the register on a phone or tablet in seconds and spot students who have stopped coming.
Grading readiness
Attendance, time in grade and assessments come together, so you can see who is ready for the next grading.
Memberships and payments
Set up memberships and take payments through Stripe, with a clear view of who has paid.
Classes and timetable
Recurring classes and one-off sessions in one timetable, with RSVP and check-in links for families and text messages for reminders and cancellations.
Student and parent portal
Students and parents see grades, upcoming classes, assigned training and what to work on next.
Lesson plans and training plans
Plan classes from the technique library, assess students and give each one training to practise at home.
Try it with your own dojo
Less time on administration.
More time to teach Kendo.
Create your dojo free and explore it with your own classes, or book a demo and we will show you around.
Questions
Kendo dojos often ask
Kendo has no belts. Does grading still work?
Yes. Grades do not need a belt colour. Each grade records its name and the practice needed before a student is ready.
Can we plan keiko sessions?
Yes. Lesson plans are built from the kendo library, from warm-up suburi to waza practice.
Can we use our own syllabus and grades?
Yes. The starter ladder is only a starting point. Rename grades, change colours, add your own requirements and set the lessons and time each grade needs.
Can one club teach more than one martial art?
Yes. Choose a main martial art when you create your club and add others in the club settings. Each keeps its own technique library.
Can you move our students across from our current system?
Yes. Import students from a spreadsheet and check every row before it is saved, or send us your records and we will move them across for you free of charge.
How much does it cost?
Small clubs can use the Free plan with no card required. Paid plans add capacity and features as your club grows.