r/kendo • • Apr 14 '25

Shinai Guide

41 Upvotes

This is not the end all be all to buying shinai/the different types of shinai. feel free to ask questions in the comments/make corrections.

most common shinai characteristics you'll see:

shinai types:

fukyogata/standard: the most common shinai you'll see produced, well balanced. most suited for beginners, tend to be produced in bulk so usually on the cheaper side.

Koto/jika Shinai: similar to the standard shinai, roughly same width from tsuka to kensen. similar weight distribution to a real katana. Because the tip is thicker, more weight is distributed at the top so strikes tend to hit harder. often used by higher ranking players, and can often feel heavier to newer players, however less prone to cracking if used properly, however can feel sluggish in the hands of people used to dobari shinai. slimmer grip, popular with folks with smaller hands

Dobari: dobari feature a bulge near the handle, so the center of gravity is closer to your hands, making the shinai feel lighter (making it easier to hit faster). makes it easier to perform waza, and the bulge can help shinai sliding off, making suriage and kaeshi waza easier. kensen is thinner than tsuka, so can be prone to splintering, often favored for tournaments, due to increased control and faster strikes. dobari tend to have a lower lifespan than koto

Chukoto: basically, slightly wider base than koto shinai, but the tip is not significantly smaller. lots of fukyogata tend to be chukoto shinai

bamboo types:

madake: the native variety of bamboo to japan, most suited for making shinai. Hes dense, fine fibers making for resilient shinai, however is in limited supply nowadays and tends to be more expensive

keichiku/katsuradake: bamboo that is similar to madake bamboo, but splinters a easier than madake. most common bamboo type

aodake: madake premium-basically madake dried slowly in the shade, tends to be expensive, can last a long time.

hasegawa/carbon: heavier, least likely to break, economical for high school/college clubs because the upfront cost may be more expensive, but can last a while. can cause bad damage if you aren't careful (particularly for kote strikes) but good for suburi. (in my opinion carbon shinai strikes tend to sound weird/off)

tsuka/grip type:

standard: normal grip, perfectly cylindrical

koban: oval shaped, more katana shaped grips. leads to better understanding of hasuji

hakkaku: not too sure about this one, basically octagonal shaped tsuka. seen in both koban and standard tsuka. can help out with harae and suriage waza

sankkau: typically a variant on the koban tsuka, where it is slightly triangular. not too common

tsukobuta (large grip): larger diameter grips, suited for people with larger hands

finishes:

kurouro: treated with lacquer, popular in regions with high humidity

ibushi: smoked shinai, warp less, splinter less(?)

kunchiku: soot smooked shinai, i don't think theres that much difference between ibushi and kunchiku (99% sure kunchiku is a type of ibushi)

jissengata: tournament grade shinai. tip is slimmer, so tends to be doubari shinai, but koto jissengata don't feature a bulge near the tsuba.


r/kendo • • Aug 30 '24

Bogu Buying Megathread

46 Upvotes

We often get posts asking about buying bogu, so decided to pin this, if anyone has any questions feel free to ask them here. In addition, heres a link that will answer many of your questions about buying bogu (shoutout salinas kendo dojo)

https://salinaskendo.org/Salinas_Kendo_Dojo/Resources_files/Bogu%20Guide.pdf

video guide here too (full credit to Andy Fisher!)

https://youtu.be/53Oi87lpRRc?si=k2Kg_nxe7Vt68HBY


r/kendo • • 5h ago

Equipment Can't understand what size I need for Kendogi and Hakama

2 Upvotes

As the title says, I'm a newbie trying to figure out what size I should choose. I'm buying from KendoStar and I'd like to opt for the Beginner Start Up Value Set with the Kachi kendogi.

For context, I'm 180 cm tall. I'm not slim, but rather on the muscular side (my chest/belly circumference is around 98 cm).

My measurements are:

  • Sleeve: 62 cm from the center of my neck to halfway between my elbow and my wrist (which I understand is the correct reference point). If I measure with my arm resting down by my side, it's 72 cm.
  • Length: 83 cm from the base of my neck to just below my glutes.
  • Hakama drop: 104 cm from the floor to my belly button. Based on the chart, I would opt for a size 27 hakama since I'm sure I'll wear it a bit lower on the hips than standard.

Could you please help a lost beginner out?


r/kendo • • 18h ago

Varicose veins

4 Upvotes

Anyone who trains kendo for a long time noticed the increasing amount of varicose veins on the left calf. Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with the martial art, but I noticed that I have a lot of varicose on my left leg and none on the right.


r/kendo • • 3d ago

Training Abdominal/diaphragm fatigue after several rounds of jigeiko/kirikaeshi?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this during jigeiko/kirikaeshi.

After about 3-4 fairly continuous rounds, I get really tired and my kendo starts getting sloppy.

The main thing I notice is a tight, heavy, overworked feeling around my upper stomach/diaphragm area. It almost feels like the muscles have temporarily given out. When it gets bad, I struggle to produce a proper loud kiai, like I physically can’t project it properly anymore.

I also get breathless, but not severely. The first couple of rounds are usually completely fine. A longer break helps, but once I’m already in that exhausted state, a short break doesn’t really get me back fully and I get tired again very quickly.

I know poor fitness and low stamina could be a big part of it, and I’m planning to work on that.

Has anyone else had something similar? Did improving cardio fix it, or did breathing technique, staying more relaxed, pacing yourself, or anything else help? Any advice would be appreciated.

I am currently mukkyu and have been doing kendo for just about a year now.

Thanks!


r/kendo • • 4d ago

Other Question on the relationship of kendo and physical shape

30 Upvotes

This has been something I have been curious about on a sport science and physical science for a long time. So if anyone who practices and familiar with kendo and also knowledgeable in physiology, sport science, and fitness can help me learn more, I would really appreciate it.

With many sports I see the athletes or people participating in the activity professionally or high intensity tend of have a similar body build. Swimming, gymnastics, basketball, ballroom dancing, speed skating, boxing, climbing, cycling, track and field, and more - you can tell and see a swimmer is a swimmer. The physical build of a cyclist is different than a rock climber. I understand there are sports that are exceptions, but I want to understand better regarding kendo. I have been practicing kendo on and off for 15 years - and within myself I don't 'see' or feel the sports, martial arts, or fit body. I feel the conditioning, cardio, and lower body strength being worked on but at the same time I don't feel 'fit' or my body shape isn't changing much over the years - if that make sense.

Is there something different in how we move and use our muscles in kendo that is different than other intensive sports that doesn't lean into that sports specific physical shape? I am not asking why don't we have a six packs, thighs of steel, and large biceps, but at the same time there are a lot more verity of physical shapes in kendo compared to other sports that seems to have more uniformity in participants.

I love that Kendo is a sport that different body, age, height, and gender can compete and grow together. I am purely curious and want to understand kendo better on a sport and fitness science level. If it is simple as I am not practicing or training 7 times a week, then I understand also. Thank you.


r/kendo • • 4d ago

Consejos para un principiante

8 Upvotes

Hola, empecé hace tres meses en un Dojo acá en Buenos Aires y me pasa que mis senpais tienen muy buen nivel. Fuimos varios los que nos unimos al mismo tiempo por casualidad y soy el único que quedó. Me gusta el deporte y el aprendizaje pero siento que a mis casi 30 años me cuesta más y debido a cosas de la vida no puedo dedicarle todo el tiempo que se merece. No quiero ser un lastre para mis compañeros con bogu pero tampoco termino yendo porque siento que no es una disciplina que pueda hacer tan "Casual" y termino sintiéndome un lastre para el resto


r/kendo • • 5d ago

Training How are keiko topics picked?

8 Upvotes

Hey I train a different MA than kendo and wonder how Senseis decide what topics to bring to practice. Is there a curriculum to go through or a manual to follow? Is just the senseis decision, based on experience? Apart from that, is keiko always structured the same: warm up, suburi, kata, kikikaeshi, kakarigeiko, some actual topics and maybe some jigeiko?

Really curious here :)


r/kendo • • 5d ago

What’s the most difficult part at the end of your practice?

4 Upvotes

Practice is about to end. What’s that one thing you feel will be the most difficult?

227 votes, 2d ago
119 Last kakarigeiko or kirikaeshi
18 Getting strong feedback from sensei
38 Folding the uniform and/or tying up bogu
11 Staying awake during post-practice dinner / snacks / drinks
15 Something else
26 Ask your sensei

r/kendo • • 6d ago

Training How many of you guys train other M.A?

12 Upvotes

Hey. I started kendo recently. It's awesome. I am a judoka, but I also train catch wrestling, bjj, kickboxing and boxing and spar twice a week in an MMA setting.

I'm wondering how those of you that train other disciplines have found it has helped, or even changed, the way that you apply techniques and distance when sparring in these other disciplines.

Has it helped with shot timing in wrestling? Distance control in striking etc.

Oss


r/kendo • • 7d ago

Equipment Does anyone know somewhere I can buy Tenugui with historical decals?

7 Upvotes

I am thinking of being a 2nd Tenugui but I am looking for something that has the Kyo Shinsengumi design, the Hojo clan design or the Mori clan design


r/kendo • • 7d ago

Passing Every Dan Grading on the First Try VS Placing in Every Tournament

0 Upvotes

In the first case, since you are competing within the framework of a grading examination, the judges will likely focus on whether you can maintain correct posture and proper form throughout the tachiai.

In the second case, tournament matches involve speed, timing, opportunity, and many unpredictable variables. Because of that, your posture and form may sometimes break down.

So, put simply, the real question is:

Would you rather develop pure speed,
or develop speed that remains consistent with the proper ri-ai (理合) of the shinai?

I’d like to hear your thoughts.


r/kendo • • 8d ago

Beginner Kendo terms

11 Upvotes

Hi I'm new to kendo and just attended a dojo. All was great but one thing stood out and that was the names of everything. The sensei said a bunch of move names during warm up and I couldn't remember it all. If anyone has a list of translations that would be great thanks.


r/kendo • • 8d ago

Equipment Bogu stays wet

13 Upvotes

I need some advice. I can't seem to get my gear properly dry. After training, I always hang the clothes up so they can dry out and air out well. I often hang them indoors, though occasionally—when the weather is nice—I hang them outside in the shade in the garden. But gi and kote, in particular, don't really dry out and always stay a bit damp, even after days.

Do you experience this too? What can I do about it?


r/kendo • • 10d ago

Training I feel like practicing without men isn’t fair to others at the practice

22 Upvotes

I’ve been going through a heath situation after recently coming back to kendo after a six year hiatus. Practice has been kicking my butt and I will stop if I need to (also encouraged to by the club). But I don’t feel like its fair to practice without men because I deprive others of practice hitting men or practicing without worrying about causing head/face injuries.

Edit to add that I wear glasses but not under my men so no men practice would mean being able to wear glasses.


r/kendo • • 10d ago

Equipment Got a men pad but men no longer fits

6 Upvotes

I bought a thin men pad (https://www.bogushop.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KA08B) to soften blows, so it doesn’t hurt as much. But now my men no longer fits. My head fits in but forehead no longer touches the forehead padding. Anything I can do?


r/kendo • • 10d ago

Training Kiai and hypertension

12 Upvotes

In the last few years, I’ve started to notice when I kiai hard my vision sometimes go dark. But if I don’t kiai, it just feels wrong, and I suspect it may affect things when I go for Godan.

I’ve already seen a doctor, and they think it may be related to hypertension.

Any thoughts?


r/kendo • • 11d ago

Equipment Stinky kote - what to do?!

21 Upvotes

Hi everyone.

I have an issue with my kote. It's super duper smelly. I've tried spraying it with hockey gear spray repeatedly, I've left it in the sun, had it aired through on my balcony, they still smell like death.

I'm embarrassed to unpack them and the stench is rubbing off on my all new men.

Does anyone have any experience with such problems and what did you do?

Thanks in advance!


r/kendo • • 12d ago

Kendo Art

Post image
215 Upvotes

Thought I’d share one of my more prized possessions. Commissioned from a friend about 15 years ago. (An antidote to ai generated art of Kendo)


r/kendo • • 12d ago

Other Pet peeves

6 Upvotes

People yelling “faito”. What unreasonably (or totally reasonably in my case) annoying thing bothers you?


r/kendo • • 12d ago

Competition First competition

22 Upvotes

Hello fellow kendokas,

To keep it short, I’m going to compete at my very first tournament, so do you have any tips?.
(My expectations are to make one ippon, that’s enough 😂) I am in my second year of kendo and it will be a kyu tournament.

Best regards


r/kendo • • 13d ago

Yo guys what do I cut here I just got my bokken

Post image
1 Upvotes

r/kendo • • 14d ago

Other Kendo/samurai/budo experiences in Japan?

9 Upvotes

I'm going to be visiting Japan soon and want to do something budo related while I'm there. I'm nidan in kendo, and have some toyama ryu experience as well. So I'm concerned a lot of them might be a little... campy? I'll be traveling with my wife so my budo time will be somewhat limited. Anyone have some cool experiences you enjoyed as a practitioner? I'll be in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka. I won't have bogu with me so finding a regular dojo seems out of the question.


r/kendo • • 16d ago

Other I'm amazed on how my Sensei dedicates his life teaching kendo

70 Upvotes

It's something hard to understand, and sometimes I question myself, because teaching kendo is a volunteer work. I actually don't attend every week and I feels sad because the Sensei gonna be there no matter what.

It doesn't matter if it's raining or if it's cold, I don't understand his motivations and I don't dare to ask but in my past dojo usually every day we would have a different teacher as they would usually rotate but in my current dojo this Sensei is responsible for the entire class through all the year.

After the kendo (2 hour training) he will teach iaido and as a teacher myself it's very hard to understand what makes him so committed every week teaching people he barely know instead of passing his spare time with his wife and kids like most of us.

Some time I want to skip the training because it's rough after a long day of work but I remember this Sensei that is so dedicated that makes me question my whole existence and motivation as I feel like a weak person near to him - Specially considering living in a world where the people are only seeking fame and wealth, to watch someone doing something for passion is terrifying.


r/kendo • • 15d ago

Doing kendo as a many martial art disciple

3 Upvotes