Shinai & Protectors 竹刀と防具

# Shinai 　竹刀　commented by CJ

According to Kendo Nippon, (if you can read Japanese, www.skijournal.co.jp/kendo/mame/shinai_1.html )
The best balance Shinai is that center of gravity is around 54 cm to 55cm from Tukagashira. Also if center of gravity is closer to Tuka, you will feel Kensaki lighter and easy to control, so It is good for Renzoku waza, and Chikama. This was from Kendo Nippon. But also consider about all the part of shinai. Changing Tuba to Different kind Tuba will also change the feeling of Shinai. But I find that according to Kendo Nippon, Shorter Tuka person more likly to hit from Toma, and Longer tuka person prefer Chikama to hit. So maybe I am wrong. But Tuka(where you hold the Shinai,) also something to do with your Maai.

CJ Yamaguchi's paper on how to Pick and Order Shinai: sbkendo.org/howTo/pickShinai.htm

Eguchi 江口　USA www.eguchi.net/ carries two kinds of 阿吽(Aun)Shinai at the tournament. One is regular 阿吽, the other is Aun besaku. 阿吽別作。 阿吽 is regular shinai, but 別作's Tuka is a little bit fat, and tip is smaller. So Center of gravity is closer to Tuka. Also feel lighter. Both are Dobari. When you buy 阿吽 from Eguchi, you can always ask them to send what you want. I always ask weight and Tuka Diameter size. If they have one close to what I want, I would buy it.

# Bogu (protector) 　防具　by Triangle kendo and Iaido

www.trianglekendoiaido.org/bogu.htm
The next essay that Yoshida-sensei wrote after talking with Mr. Miyamoto is tips to find a good bogu. www.trianglekendoiaido.org/bogue.pdf
Japanese version: www.trianglekendoiaido.org/boguj.pdf