Kendo Gear

When a Kendo practitioner has advanced further into their Kendo training, they can start utilizing the Bogu during their regular practice. There is a specific time period required for a Kendo practitioner to actually start wearing the Bogu yet it varies among schools or dojos; however, the most usual time frame would be about three to twelve months for adult Kendo practitioners.
The Bogu is known as the protective Kendo gear utilized by every kendoka during their Kendo practice and is vital for one to known how to wear this properly just like the traditional Kendo clothing. It should also be kept neatly and in a good state at all times since this is the piece that protects and safeguards the Kendo practitioner from any form of injury or accidents.

History of the Kendo Gear

In the years 1603 to 1868 during the Edo period, making use of real Samurai swords for training was greatly discouraged by many due to the numerous injuries that one acquired; this is the reason why the utilization of wooden practice swords such as the Bokuto or Bokken and the Shinai were often used since it also reduced the rates of practice injuries. This was also the time when the practice armor based on the traditional samurai gear was created, and this specific practice armor was the primary basis of the modern day Bogu.

Parts of the Kendo Gear

Aside from using the Kendo clothing which mainly consists of the Keikogi and the Hakama, the Kendo gear also features a special armor called the Bogu which is made up of the following parts:

Parts of the Kendo Gear

Aside from using the Kendo clothing which mainly consists of the Keikogi and the Hakama, the Kendo gear also features a special armor called the Bogu which is made up of the following parts:

Men

This part of the Bogu helps protect an individual’s neck, face, and shoulders; it is made up of a face mask that features a couple of horizontal metallic bars that run through the whole width of the face area – this is from the top of the head and all the way down to the chin area. There is also a long, thick, and rectangular-shaped cloth padding that arches right over the top of the practitioner’s head that also extends all the way to conceal the shoulders. There is also a throat protector that is set right at the bottom of the face mask.

The men should be worn so the Kendo practitioner will be allowed to see through the monomi – the partially wider gap that can be located within the sixth and seventh bars of the face mask. If the Kendoka is able to look out from the said gap, it only means that they are exhibiting the proper posture for Kendo.

Do

The primary component of the Do is its slightly arched stomach and protector along the chest area; its modern type has a more pronounced bulge which helps direct the force of various attacks away from the soft and tender areas that are located right in the middle of a person’s torso. The most common material utilized for the Do is lacquered bamboo yet lacquered paper fiber or molded plastic is utilized for a much cheaper Do.

This portion is generally supported along the shoulders with the help of two angled ties and is bound right at the small of one’s back together with another set of ties. The primary target areas of the Do include the two lower sides of the stomach where slashing motions are made; the top half of this portion is also a possible target spot for the Naginata’s thrust in. At some point in the past, this was also a valid target thrust point in Kendo.

Kote

These are gloves that appear just like mittens and are designed specifically for Kendo; the Kote may appear bulky but it still provides the Kendoka enough mobility and space to properly grip the Shinai with comfort and ease, allowing one to execute powerful and firm attacks during practice or competitions.

Tare

This is a thick and durable cloth belt that firmly wraps around the user’s waist; it ties beneath the front flap that is located just in front of a practitioner’s groin. These flaps run through half of the tare’s length and should be placed over the frontal half portion of the body. When wearing this piece, one should kneel in seiza before putting the tare right on one’s lap; wrap the cords behind the individual before tying these in a bow that is set beneath the center flap.

Storing the Kendo Gear

A carrying bag is clearly just for carrying the Kendo gear and it is not for storing it. If one needs to leave the Kendo gear in the bag for some time then it is necessary to use desiccants and newspaper to keep this dry; however, one should still be cautious since molds may appear depending on the heat, humidity, and temperature of the area.

Purchasing Kendo Gear for Sale

Purchasing Kendo gear for sale can be quite a challenging task – whether the practitioner is a beginner or an experienced player, looking for the perfect Kendo gear that is adequate for the user can be difficult. One should first determine how many times the Bogu will be utilized, what it will be used for, and if the Kendo gear for sale that one is eyeing is appropriate enough for their level of skills in the field.