FAQ

  • “Where are you located?” – Currently we train in a small group during class times, by appointment, and have special weekend training sessions in the Mountainaire neighborhood of Flagstaff, AZ. We are across from the wedding event venue, and on the other side of the road before you get to Mountainaire Tavern and Country store. Please call or email to make an appointment or discuss visiting a class.
  • “What should I wear when I start?” – “What should I wear when I start?” You can wear plain clothes (shorts and t-shirt are fine) or a judo or karate gi for your initial training classes. We have a New Student Training package that includes a Fuji gi with the first two months of training, at a very affordable price. 
  • “I’ve never taken Martial Arts before, is this a problem?” – No advance knowledge of martial arts is necessary. Our principles are often very different from other contemporary arts so even if you have prior training you’ll find that there are a lot of great concepts that may be new for you, or are presented from a different perspective.
  • “How old does my child have to be to start?” – Children 14 and up are encouraged to train. We can have classes for younger children as our dojo family grows in Flagstaff.

Here is helpful information about ordering do-gi, hakama (pleated “trousers”), kaku obi (belts) and training weapons.

Option 1:  Samurai Jujutsu Gi’s are available from our dojo, and are the normal training wear for students. We currently stock quality Fuji training uniforms for our students and can order the full line of Fuji Sports clothing and equipment, at online pricing, to support your training.

Option 2: Hakama and Jacket or Modified Kimono Top: We can get this clothing for you when you join our training. They facilitate training with Samurai weapons and the transition to intermediate-level training.

Belts and Footwear
We wear standard training belts with Jujutsu Gi’s, and a sword-bearing “kaku obi” with Hakama & Kimono. A kaku obi is different from belts typically worn in iaido or other non-samurai arts. For intermediate students we prefer:
Wave kaku obi, Blue kaku obi, Tabi Socks, and Tabi

Our SHOP Page has a curated list of equipment in use by Sanrin Mountain Dojo students and instructors.

Our dojo keeps extra training weapons of various types on-hand. This will also let you try out different weapon lengths and woods to discover the one you like best.

Our school can provide you with the weapons we use when you join us:

  • We use Ash, Hickory, or Ipe Bokken (Brazilian Hardwood)
  • Our longer bokken (28″-30′ blade and 14″ handle (tsuka)) include a plastic sword guard (tsuba).
  • For convenience, we can provide for purchase a beginner weapon set that includes: Bokken, Jo, and Bo Tanto

Bokken (wooden training sword):
Nami ryu bokken are specific to our ryuha (school). Any bokken or training weapons other than the ones listed below will need to be cleared by the instructor for use in class

Jo (wooden staff)
A jō is an approximately 4 foot wooden staff, used in Japanese martial arts. We train with the jō to illustrate and enhance learning Aiki principles with a weapon. The jō staff is shorter than the bō and is still used by some Japanese police forces.

Bo-Tanto (wooden knife)
As practitioners of a samurai art, we always carry multiple weapons. The tanto is a mainstay of Nami ryu, and we carry a bo-tanto in addition to a bokken.

Bo-Wakizashi (wooden short sword)
A bo-wakizashi is optional for beginners.

Real Weapons / Live Blades
The use of real weapons throughout our training is a major factor that sets us apart from many other martial studies. Senior and intermediate students are permitted – and encouraged – to carry real weapons in addition to wooden training weapons. Our school uses a particular sword style, and you will be helped in determining the right sword for you and your training with us.

However, we are very cautious with the use of “live” weapons and thus beginners are not allowed to use them. Sharp weapons may be carried after much diligent study, and only with the chief instructor’s approval.