Kendo Equipment
HISTORY
Japan during the eighteenth century, Kendo ‘the way of the sword’ known then as ‘Kenjutsu’ became popular with the development of armor and a bamboo sword (shinai) to protect trainees from permanent disability, or even death. The protective equipment resembled armor worn by the warrior class (Samurai). The protective equipment allows practitioners to practice swordsmanship and free-sparring with full speed. Cuts and thrusts with the shinai are delivered with focus and correct posture to well-defined targets by the Kendo practitioner.
Present day Kendo armor (bogu) still resembles that of the 18th century, however the addition of modern materials provides greater safety and comfort to the practitioner (kendoka). The equipment consists of a uniform protective armor and practice swords.
The uniform (dogi): consists of heavy cotton jacket (keikogi) and pleated skirt-trousers (hakama).
The armor (bogu): consists of four pieces: the helmet (men), the chest protector (do), the gloves (kote), and the hip and groin protector (tare).
Practice swords: two types of practice swords are used: the bamboo sword (shinai) and Wood sword (bokken). Steel swords with blunt edges (iaito) are sometimes used by high
ranking practitioners for kata demonstrations.
There are numerous equipment manufacturers and vendors. The price of the equipment usually depends on quality and type of materials used in the manufacturing of the equipment.
The Jacket (keikogi)
This heavy cotton jacket, worn by both men and women, is traditionally dyed blue. A white keikogi is usually worn by women or men during the hot summer months. An off-white keikogi is often worn by children. The keikogi come in various sizes and two weights Single and Double. The Double weight keikogi provide more protection and are usually worn in the cooler months. The single weight keikogi is normally worn during the summer months.
The Pleated Skirt-Trousers (hakama)
This cotton skirt-trousers, worn by both men and women, is traditionally dyed blue. A white hakama is usually worn only by women or high ranking instructors. The hakama come in various sizes and qualities depending on the materials used to manufacture it. Polyester hakama are the least expensive and #1100 cotton hakama are one of the most expensive.
The bamboo sword (shinai)
The shinai is used during basics practice and sparring. It is made of four bamboo slates bound together by leather pieces. A leather hand grip (tsukagawa) covers the hilt (tsuka), a leather strap (nakayuki) wrapped one third from the tip marks the end of the striking area (monouchi) of the shinai or cutting part of a sword , a small leather cup (sakigawa) covers the tip, and a string (tsuru) ties the sakigawa to the tsukagawa. The string also marks the non-cutting edge of the sword. A guard (tsuba) and guard stopper (tsuba gome) complete the shinai assembly.
The average price of a complete low cost shinai assembly, including a plastic guard and rubber stopper, is around $25. Competition quality shinai cost approximately $75~100, while carbon fiber shinai cost $250.
The wood sword (bokken)
The bokken is used during forms (kata) practice only. A guard (tsuba) and guard stopper (tsuba gome) complete the bokken assembly. Bokken are made of different hard woods, but traditionally oak is used. Two sizes of bokken are used: a long bokken, about 40 inches (95 cm) in length (katana size), and a short bokken, about 22 inches (55 cm) in length (wakizashi size).
The average price of a low cost long bokken, including a plastic guard and rubber stopper, is around $15.
The Armor
The bogu consists of four pieces: the helmet (men), the chest protector (do), the gloves (kote), and the groin protector (tare).
The Helmet (men)
The main form is made of thick cotton and leather, with a protective chrome plated steel face grill. Some modern men have a titanium face grill to reduce weight, an removable liners to allow washing and faster drying after use. Two cotton strings are used to secure the men on the head.
The Chest protector (do)
This part of the armor was traditionally made of 50 or 60 bamboo slats bound together by leather and covered in lacquer. Modern do commonly have bamboo slats covered by fiberglass and leather fittings. Lower cost models use plastic instead of bamboo and imitation leather. Four cotton strings are used to attach the do to the upper torso.
The gloves (kote)
Traditionally made of leather and thick cotton to protect the hand and wrist. The top of the kote is padded to protect the hand. The wrists, target area, is protected by thick cotton. The hand palms are made of deer skin, but modern synthetic materials are used on less expensive kote. String laces on the lower portion of the wrist protector are used to adjust fitting.
The groin protector (tare)
Made of thick cotton with leather trim has five overlapping plates to allow movement and provide protection to the groin and hip areas. Two cotton straps tie theprotector around the waist.
Head towel and other equipment
A cotton head towel (tenugui) is worn under the helmet (men). Other equipment, such as an equipment bag (bogu bag) and sword bag (bukuro) are used to transport and store the equipment.
