Oiling Wooden Weapons
In this week’s article we would like to introduce another easy way to keep your weapons protected from the elements, and that is by applying mineral oil to them.
Being true to your Sword
– Though we use iaitō, bokutō and shinai; we must never forget that these are swords – Iaido and kendo are both budō that place a strong emphasis on manners and etiquette – not only to our partners, but also the spaces within which we practice and to opponents who are Read More
A story about wood as hard as iron – know from bokken
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
Sunuke – Wood that has survived many centuries
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
Akagashi: What is Japanese Red Oak?
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
What is Japanese White Oak, Shirakashi?
“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
Biwa – the tree that even Musashi loved
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
Isunoki – The little known yet hardest and heaviest tree in Japan
The isunoki tree (English; distylium racemosum), often shortened to isu in Japanese, is an evergreen, broad-leaved tree that stretches up to 20m in height. It grows mostly to the east of the Kanto region. Often the leaves will have insect galls forming on them. In the old days, children picked Read More
2015/03/16 – Free Engraving on All Bokken/Jo/Bo/Shinai!
Starting today until the 25th of April we will be offering Free Name or Kamon laser Engraving for all Bokken/Jo/Bo/Shinai in our inventory! With the tournament season coming up, a lot of Budo tournaments and competitions are being held now all over the world. But putting your precious Bokken or Shinai Read More
What is Asian Ebony?
The Asian Ebony grows in South Eastern parts of Asia and can mostly be found in Indonesia. The beautiful characteristic grain of the wood, the smooth body and beautiful natural color brought forth without using any artificial coloring, could be said to be a piece of art in itself. The Asian Ebony Read More