Kendo Equipment

Most people who practice kendo can all agree that the biggest pain about kendo is the buying the equipment and caring for it. Kendo is not only more expensive than most martial arts to start, but it’s also the most demanding in terms of equipment care, equipment selection, as well as equipment upkeep.Unlike karate, kung fu, or judo, kendo requires several pieces of equipment ranging from a couple dollars to thousands of dollars. Another separator is that those some of those pieces of equipment, such as the shinai, must be replaced often (sometimes every 2 to 3 months). A well maintained set of bogu, however, will often last many years.

The frequency of shinai replacement can, over a long period of time, get pretty costly. There are several solutions to lower your costs in the shinai arena. Good solutions are buying a carbon graphite shinai or oiling the shinai after every practice.

Kendo gear has, over the years, undergone many transformations. The history of the bogu and shinai is almost as diverse as the history of kendo itself!

A basic general overview of kendo equipment:

• The Uniform - The basic uniform kendoists practice in.

• The Armor - The armor kendoists use to protect themselves from blows by the shinai.

• The Weapons - The weapons and practice weapons kendoists train to use.

• Optional gear - Extra kendo equipment some practitioners use.

Detailed Equipment Pages