A detailed look at the Kendo Stick: The shinai

Modern Shinai are the result of centuries of engineering in an effort to develop a safer means of practicing with a sword. Here is a detailed look at the parts of the shinai.

The shinai is by no means a simple tool. They are made up of different parts:

2. Sakigawa- Leather cap

3. Monouchi- Striking area. Points are only counted when this area contacts the datotsubu or target area.

4. Nakayui- Leather throng that helps to hold the tsuru and bamboo in place.

5. Jinbu- Represents the cutting edge of the blade.

6. Tsuru- String that represents the back of the blade. The non-cutting side.

7. Tsuba- The Hilt guard.

8. Tsuba-dome- Stopper that holds the tsuba in place.

9. Tsuka/Tsukagawa- Hilt of the sword. Tsukagawa is the leather cover on the hilt.

10. Tsukagashira- The tip of the hilt, or tsuka.