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Equipment |
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Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of kendo here in the USA, is finding the equipment and affording to buy it. It tends to be expensive and hard to find. |
| Hakama This is the traditional bottoms used in kendo and some of the other martial arts of Japan. It is really just a pair of culottes, or baggy pants. Costs: $45 to $200 depending on quality. This is called "hakama". |
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| Uniform Tops The best top to get is called "ichiken" and is dyed indigo blue. Also known as keikogi, or gi. Costs: $50 to $85 but the youthful kendoka can get away with a white top called shiromushashi with stitched black diamond shapes. It costs much less. |   |
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| Shinai This is the bamboo sword that is the single-most important piece of the kendo puzzle. There is different lengths, and different qualities, according to your age, size, and income. It is represents your sword during practice. Costs: $23 to $250 |
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| Bokken, or Bokuto Wooden sword, you'll need this to perform the kendo kata with a partner. This is a important part of your training. Fortunately a regular red oak sword is very affordable. Costs: $10 to $35 Later you will need a short "shoto" sword also, Costs: $8 to $12 You can pay more for better wood. |
| Bogu This is the collective name for your complete set of armor that any serious kendo player must purchase when he (or she) has decided to stick with the art. All together the set can cost $350 to $5,000. It all depends on your income, and the quality you can afford. I'll list the four pieces below: |
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Men This is your helmet. This is what you have to protect your skull from full force blows with a shinai. There is a metal face grill to protect your face, and heavy cotton padding on top. |
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Kote This is your gloves, they protect your wrists from being struck hard and will prevent blisters on your hands from the constant "wringing" action of the attacks you make towards your opponent. |
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Dou This is your chest protector, it is quite sturdy, and will protect your ribs from some very strong blows to the side of your body. |
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Tare This is the waist protector, or actually the "below" the waist protector. It protects you from accidental blows on your hips and gives some protection to the groin area. |
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To be serious about kendo, within the first year you will need ALL of the above mentioned items. |
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