Shinai

The most basic piece of equipment is the shinai. Even though it is fairly inexpensive, from $20- $30, you must treat it with respect. Never lean on it, swing it around casually, or throw it down. When not engaged in practice hold it in your left hand, down by your side with your fingers on the string (tsuru). In this position, called sage-to, or hanging sword, the shinai should be held loosely allowing it to hang freely with the tip (sakigawa) just off the floor

The shinai is constructed of four shafts of split bamboo, bound with a leather grip (tsuka) and cap (sakigawa), and leather thong (nakayui) wound three times around the shafts, all tied together by a nylon chord (tsuru) running from tip to hilt. Additionally, a round hand guard (tsuba) is slipped over the tsuka and held in place by a rubber washer (tsubadome). The tip of the shinai is referred to as the kensen. The striking surface of the shinai, called monouchi, is the first one third of the shinai visible from the tsuka to kensen. When striking a target you must strike with this portion of the shinai in order for the strike to be considered valid.

Proper care must be given the shinai to ensure the safety of your fellow kendoka. The tsuka should not be loose and sliding around. The nakayui, likewise, should not be loose and sliding up or down the shaft of the shinai. Make sure that the sakigawa is not torn or coming apart. The tsuru should be strung tight. Most importantly, make sure that there are no splinters or cracks in the bamboo. Large cracks or breaks will necessitate replacing the broken slat or replacing the shinai entirely. If there are splinters use a knife or some other flat metal tool to plane the splintered area smooth. Periodically disassemble your shinai and rub the bamboo slats with oil. There is special oil available from kendo equipment vendors, but a light vegetable oil will suffice. Do not use petroleum based oils. Once you have reassembled the shinai, pour hot water over the leather parts to shrink them to a snug fit.

You should purchase your first shinai after you have decided to continue kendo (ie within your first few practices).

Bokken

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next basic piece of equipment is the wooden sword, or bokken, sometimes called bokuto. It is can be somewhat more expensive, depending upon the type of wood from which it is made, and can cost from $10 - $200. Like the shinai it should be treated with respect. In addition, because it is made of solid wood it can be dangerous if not handled properly. Never swing the bokken at another person for "fun".  It is another piece of equipment you should buy within the first several practices. The bokken will be necessary for future advancement in rank.

Keiko-gi/Hakama

The clothing worn during kendo practice is referred to as do-gi. There is a heavy cotton jacket (keiko-gi) and a pleated, skirt-like trousers (hakama). While there are no specific requirements for color, most kendoka prefer deep indigo blue. These come in a variety of qualities and can cost anywhere from $65 - $300 for the set. The keiko-gi is comfortable, absorbs perspiration, and provides additional protection from inadvertent hits. The hakama allows excellent freedom of movement for the legs and disguises somewhat the footwork. The hakama has seven pleats, five in the front and two in the back. It is said that these pleats represent the seven virtues of kendo:

Yuki - courage, valor, bravery

Jin - humanity, charity, benevolence

Gi - justice, righteousness, integrity

Rei - etiquette, courtesy, civility

Makoto - sincerity, honesty, reality.

Chugi - loyalty, fidelity, devotion

Meiyo - honor, dignity, prestige

 

Upon purchase of your hakama and gi, It will be necessary to set the dye (unless you wish to turn blue). This is a simple procedure that involves soaking the hakama and gi in 1 part vinegar (which serves as an excellent disinfectant) and two parts water overnight. Afterwards it should be stomped out in a bathtub or a washing machine with a handwash setting. After the setting process, you should wash the gi several times throughout the year using vinegar.

Bogu

Of course the most dramatic of the kendo equipment is the armor (bogu) which consists of a face mask (men), a chest protector (do), a hip and waist protector (tare), and a pair of gloves (kote). The bogu is lightweight for mobility and comfort, yet affords maximum protection against the shinai. A reasonable quality set for beginners will cost anywhere from $300 - $800. If however it has been decided that you can wear bogu (half an year is a reasonable estimate) the club will lend you a set.

Men

The men is the iconic grilled helmet of kendo. It offers excellent protection to the whole of the head (though the back is open). Nevertheless since it is a grilled helmet, everyone must take care to check their shinai for splinters. Plexiglass inserts are recommended, and for children required (though that shouldn't be a particularly large problem for this club). This will be the last piece of equipment one gets to wear.

Do

This breastplate is often made of high impact plastic or fibreglass and affords the user quite good protection from strikes to the side. It does not fully protect the underside of the arm however, so strikes to the do must be aimed carefully. The Do is suspended by two sets of strings that sling it around the shoulders and another that ties it to the back. Along with Tare, this is likely the be the first piece of bogu a student is allowed to wear.

Tare

The "apron" or "skirt" of the bogu. It provides protection to the legs and groin from missed Do strikes. It is not a target and thus should not be treated as such. The center flap of the tare usually has a bag (Zekken) which provides the name of the Kendoka's family name (in katakana or kanji) and what dojo they belong to. The Tare is flexible and should not hinder mobility. Along with Do, this will be the first piece of bogu one is allowed to wear.

Kote

The gloves (mittens) worn in Kendo. They are heavily padded gloves that allow the kendoka to take hits to the kote. The kote do not offer much flexibility to the fingers, but provide ample protection. Additionally, the Kote also provides some degree of protection to much of the wrist, though it is likely one of the few places one will actually get hurt when practicing Kendo. It is the second piece of bogu a beginner will be allowed to wear.