The “MICHI” model is a light weight, easy to use Kote with great durability and impact absorption, at a very competitive price! By using a new type of padding, we have been able to produce a extremely lightweight, yet thicker and more protective type of Futon for this Kote. Thanks Read More
What else can you do to win? This Tokuren® ZX Gold Bogu Set is the evolution of our popular Tokuren® X Bogu set, made especially with Shiai in mind. It’s lightweight yet protective, featuring 6mm Tight Cross-stitch stitching. The Tight Cross-stitch and the new padding inside the Futon gives this Read More
This Tozando Polyester Aikido Hakama is made with 100% polyester which is extra smooth and soft with a cashmere-like luster. The Hakama is durable, safe and beautifully tailored, so that you can perform at your best without worrying about the details. The best Aikido Hakama ever! – Stanley Pranin Tozando Read More
Gemon is buddhist gatha and this Gemon Koshirae features the verse of gatha that Buddha once said to his principle disciple Mahakasyap. It reads “HO WA MOTO HO TO SHITE MUO NARI, MUHO MO HO TO SHITE MATA HO NARI“, literally meaning that the laws of Dharma were initially not Read More
For bokken, people from old time have always preferred heavy, hard wood. The oak tree, the distylium racemosum (isunoki), and the loquat tree are among the wood favored by swordsmen, but among them are wood that was said to be as hard as iron. One is called tetsuboku (iron wood) Read More
When the cold and dry weather drags, on, the shinai become more vulnerable to splits. When you keep training with a shinai that has splits it can be incredibly dangerous. You can get splinters in your fingers or in your eye, and there has even been a reported case of Read More
For wooden swords wood from trees such as the bamboo-leaved oak, the Japanese evergreen oak, and the distylium racemosum have been used. For top quality swords, the Japanese plum tree, ebony, and sunuke have been used. Sunuke refers to the core wood taken from distylium racemosum (isunoki) that has grown Read More
Japanese Red Oak; Akagashi is generally found in the mountain ranges in the west part of Japan and has gotten its name from the fact that the wood has a distinct red hue to it compared to other oak woods. The Japanese red oak can mostly be found growing naturally Read More
“Japanese oak” is a collection of evergreen tall trees, from which long oval green leaves with an elegant luster and uneven edges grow. The Japanese oak is native to many countries in Asia, including Japan, China, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, having more than 150 varieties. In Japan, the trees can Read More
Of the many woods used when making bokuto and other wooden weapons the Biwa (Loquat) tree is perhaps the most beloved by craftsmen and practitioenrs for its distinct and unique qualities. In this article we take a close look at the tree itself and its conenction to budo. The first Read More
