Days Out; Martin Payne joined a Taiseidokai Kendo Club class at Bellahouston Sports Centre, Glasgow.

Byline: Alison Young

What is Kendo?

Translated it means "way of the sword". It's the art of Japanese fencing which dates back 1000 years to the time of the Samurai. Over the centuries, it's evolved into a less lethal sport which aims to discipline and improve the mind, body and spirit through the principles of the katana (Japanese sword).

You can practice it as a martial art or for the more spiritual side of it. The idea behind Kendo is to develop a clear mind so that when you're fighting you're not thinking but just allowing yourself to react. Developing mental and spiritual calm is an important part of it all.

What happens in a class?

In the dojo (the training room), the sensei (teacher) will take you through a warm-up, footwork and technique practice, and afterwards there's free-form fencing. Unless you're a beginner, bogu (armour) is worn and a bamboo sword called the shinai is used. There's a bit of ceremony involved - you have to bow to the teachers and during the matches there's a lot of shouting.

In a match you win points by hitting certain areas on the body and the grading system is the same as any other martial art.

What's all the scary shouting about?

The shouting sounds a bit wild, but it's used to control breathing and focus your energy. You exhale to co-ordinate with the cuts to give them more power. You can feel a bit of a prat to begin with, but it soon becomes second nature. Everybody develops their own shout, some are like roars and some are long, high-pitched screams.

How does a beginner start to learn?

There's a six-week induction course where you're taught the postures (kamae), the mechanics of the cut and attack and defence techniques before taking part in matches. It takes three months of classes before you can take part in a match.

Is it dangerous?

Despite the Darth Vader scary armour, it's a safe sport. The most serious injury you'll get is a bruise. The sword is made out of bamboo, which absorbs a lot of the energy of the cuts, and you're wearing a mask, gloves and body armour to protect yourself.

In fact, armour isn't needed for the first three months until you start taking part in matches. The clubs usually have some to spare, but you have to be prepared to buy your own.

The bamboo sword costs from pounds 18, the dogi (uniform) from pounds 40 and the bogu (armour) starts at pounds 250. These prices are at the bottom end of the scale so if you take this up you'd better be serious about it, but then again, a set of armour will last you about five years.

Who can take up Kendo?

Beginners are welcome, any age and either sex. Practising Kendo takes discipline so it can give you confidence and self-belief.

Speed, agility and concentration matter more than brute force so many women take up the sport and it's the fastest growing women's sport in Japan. And you can begin learning at any age, although club armour for children is not available and you'll have to kit your child out yourself.

Did you enjoy your first lesson?

It was technical and precise but it was good fun. Some of the people who run the class are in the British team, so if you go along you're getting taught by the best.

And you get to shout which I'm not allowed to do at home.

Details...

Kendo classes meet in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

For details phone the Taiseidokai Kendo Club on 0141 427 5223 website: kendoglasgow.members.easyspace.com or the Edinburgh Kendo Club on 07944 305 944

website: www.edinburghkendo.co.uk

Beginner's lessons: At the Glasgow club cost pounds 55 for 18 sessions over six weeks.