When looking at kendo bogu, whether it is online or in catalogs, you often see the word “Shokko” in the description of the bogu. Shokko is part of the kazari or “decoration” on the ago and on the mune (though it can and has been placed elsewhere as well), and Read More
Written by Hayashi Takahiro, Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan(Tozando) Important points to take note of when taking the promotional examination Last time we spoke about the Shodan promotional exam, so this time we will talk a bit more in detail about how to approach the promotional exam. For this post, I have Read More
MUKOKU, based on Shuhei Fujisawa’s novel, will be going up in theaters all over Japan on the 3rd of June! The movie is about Kengo Yatabe (Ayano Go) a 5-dan Kendoka who stops practicing after causing an accident, now he spends his days drinking and working as a security guard. Read More
Passing the Shodan examination The first real obstacle to anyone who starts Kendo is passing the Shodan examination, during which your most basic Kendo knowledge will be put to the test. Depending on where you are taking the examination, the actual contents of it might vary. However I believe that Read More
We had some questions from Kendo customers about the SSP and SG seals on Shinai and if the SSP seal will become a requirement for competing Kendoka from now on. The short answer is NO! The requirement of SSP seals on Shinai won’t affect Kendoka overseas at the moment. If Read More
Tsukidare (Ago) is a part that we pay much attention to as craftsmen, since any strike to this part comes with a lot of danger. When wearing the Men, many people tend to grab it by the Ago and wear the Men, however, it’s not good to do so, as Read More
Red (vermilion) is a color that makes your field of view feel brighter. Japanese traditional tableware and bowls are often painted with red Urushi, the reason for this is that the red colors accents the contents of the bowl making them look brighter and more appealing. For example in clear Read More
Tozando has developed an attachment for the Men, called the “IBB Safety Guard”, which comes attached by default on many of our newer Bogu series and Men, and protects your throat against Tsuki. To confirm how effective the IBB Safety Guard can be, we asked Tozando’s Hayashi Kyoshi 7-dan to Read More
You can guess with a name like that, this new Kote is packed with latest technology and Tozando savoir-faire. Addressing the comfort and maintenance problems faced by all serious practitioners, Tozando experts devised this combination of modern fabrics, revolutionary treatment and long-tested craftsmanship toward one goal: an ever-clean pair of ready-to-fight Read More
Among those junior high- and high school students who are about to start Kendo in Japan, this remains one of the most common questions among them to this day. “Why do you not wear any underwear when doing Keiko in Kendo?” In schools and Dojo with a long history in Read More
