Akatsuki shinai

[blur]

I was wondering if you guys rate the Akatsuki shinai that you can buy through e-bogu.com?

The concept fascinates me and while I'll be the first to say that I'm not at a stage where I could critically evaluate what I want out of a shinai (in terms of total weight, overall weight distribution, etc), I am definitely thinking of these as a future purchase once I know what I want.

So I was just wondering if anyone here had bought one? What did you get? Why? What are its best features?

[Chusan]

What is an Akatsuki shinai?

[Raiza]

It's a shinai made by Akatsuki, of course. ;)

http://store.yahoo.com/kendobogu/akatsukishinai.html

Haven't tried it as I haven't gone through my first three shinai yet. Any more and I'll need my own caddy.

[KATSUJIN]

well i heard that akatsuki shinai is good....just dont know how good....and raiza...if u need a caddy when u have hit ur third shinai....imagine wat i need for wat i have now......i have enough shinai slates to supply to two men's team or more...

[dorkusxmaximus]

Akatsuki shinais may look "cool", but it's a useless shinai that can't be used during practice The only use for that shinai is for suburi. it's just a stupid sales gimmick. a shinai that's curved like a katana. oh please, I can curve my shinai too. All I have to do is run my shinai into somebody's mune or into a wall.

[alexpollijr]

They have the 'standard' model too.

But they cost a fortune.

[iwatekenshi]

Yup a gimmick that is. I have never seen one in use here or being sold in any kendo shop. What BS for the foreign kendo market! The physics behind it as well would never match a normal shinai. The kensaki would never reach an opponent's men as fast as a normal one. It's curved up.

[blur]

I didn't think all the Akatsuki were curved...

Honestly, I thought the main purpose of them was that they had weight distributed differently, with different weightings suiting different people, rather than the "cookie cutter" shinai that are normally sold.

It's not a completely brilliant idea on reflection, however, as it means you could get used to one particular shinai, but when it's broken, you're stuffed - because it's unlikely that you'd find an identical one again. Best way is, perhaps, to use a "cookie cutter" model for the best chance of retaining the same characteristics?

[dorkusxmaximus]

So far, I've only seen those curved shinais. If you want shinais that have a different feel to them, then get a chokuto shinai from e-bogu (weight distributed evenly across the shinai) or a dobari shinai (weight distributed near the handle). I know a beginner from my dojo that brought in his akatsuki shinai one day during practice. He couldn't even use it at all (it just layed there on the stage).I wanted to tell him that he just got ripped off, but I kept my mouth shut because it was his business.

[JSchmidt]

Akatsuki makes all kinds of shinai's, not just the curved ones, although that's what they seem to be 'notorious' for.

http://www.at80.jp/shinai/

Jakob

[blur]

Originally posted by dorkusxmaximus
I know a beginner from my dojo that brought in his akatsuki shinai one day during practice. He couldn't even use it at all (it just layed there on the stage).

Why couldn't he use it? :confused:

[Chusan]

Ah, yes, the curved ones...
Okay, here`s my two cents:
the normal shinai is straight and quite long. The length makes it possible that we can use techniques which have been developed for a shorter and curved blade.
A shorter and curved shinai thus can be used just like a bokuto or katana, so you can use exactly those techniques you might use when swinging a real blade. It may add some realism.
I`ve seen that kind of shinai quite a lot of years ago: it was an old one, probably pre-war! So it doesn`t really seem to be a new invention.
Never tried it myself, up to now. Maybe ... *think...*

[Nishi]

Akatsuki shinai are hand made shinai, you can get them in almost any size or weight or shape you can imagine, so when you purchase one you have to make sure that you read the specifications for that individual shinai (each has a registered number). The strong point regarding this shinai is the selection and craftsmenship. Very particular bamboo is picked for the shinai so it is more durable and will last alot longer than mass produced shinai.(come to think of it, ive never heard of one cracking)
If you visit the Akatsuki web site you can see what goes into making one of these shinai. If your chioce of shinai is a dobari 39 standard grip approx 500g, you shouldnt have much trouble finding an Akatsuki to fit these specifications.
If you are a clubber, or novice kendoka, i dont know how this shinai will hold up to "the early days of kendo" for dan grade, this shinai should out last most standard shinai.
At the moment i use "zen dobari" from tozando i can make 2shinai last almost a year now (2-3 times per week). I think i could get a couple of years out of a Akatsuki.

Looks like a nice product.

[Goomba]

Hiya!
I'm new to the Kendo World forms but I do have an Akatsuki shinai. It's a 39 and a chokoto. It is a beautiful looking shinai and feels pretty good as well. I bought one of the heavier one (525 grams without the leather kit) and I think it has very good balance.

[Nishi]

Originally posted by Goomba
It's a 39 and a chokoto. [/B]

Thats a new term for me, please define "Chokoto".

[Goomba]

I guess there are two types (probably more) of shinai. they are the dobari type shinai and the chokoto type shinai. The main difference is how the weight and balance is distributed.

According to the E-Bogu website (under the description of the Issho shinai) it describes a Dobari shinai as having the balance of the shinai right above the Tsuba and the majority of the weight towards the handle portion. This is supposed to help with quicker multiple strikes. To me, it looks thick through the center just above the Tsuba.

The Chokuto shinai seems to be very cylindrical and straight. It has the weight distributed along the whole length of the shinai.

Both styles have strengths and weaknesses. If you want to know more just check out thier site and look under shinais.

http://www.e-bogu.com

[Nishi]

Ah yes, i know the style well, alot of japanese sensie prefer this style of shinai with the weight ditributed evenly down the shinai, they say it promotes better sword technique, where as a dobari promotes shinai kendo. I can see this as true, the day i got my dobari, my "kote" became a much smaller cut, now im preparing for an exam and this has caused a problem in my kendo.

Goomba, how long have you had your shinai? How long do you think it will last? On a scale of 1-10 (10 being great) how would you rate the shinai for look, structure handling etc etc???

[Goomba]

Actually I'll use it tonight at pratice and write up a review of my shinai when I get home. I should be able to post it tomorrow or the next day.

[Hongsermeier]

Goomba...tonight at Chuo??

[Goomba]

Actually at PCI. I have thought about going to Chuo but I am not good enough to travel yet (0 Kyuu for now, but I hope that will change at the ranking exams).

[Goomba]

Hello everyone,

I am very sorry for the delay in posting this. I have been busy with finals and work, but here it is. Here is a brief description of my shinai, the ratings (1-10, 10 being best) I have given it, and an explaniation of each rating. Remember each of these shinais are handmade, so the attributes will vary from between each shinai. Pick the one that is right for you. Anyway on to the review.

My Akatsuki shinai is a chokuto style, size 39 and weighs 534g without the leather kit. For all the specs on this shinai (weight, diameter, etc), look at the list of shinai's on E-Bogu's Akatsuki list and it is #498. It is a chokuto type shinai with a round handle. It also has a size 39 leater kit on it and a leather tsuba. I have owned the shinai for 4 months and have praticed with it for a month.

Appearance - 8 - This is a very nice looking shinai. All of the staves of bamboo are finished beautifully. The shinai has a slight reddish tint to it, which gives it a different look from my other shinais. I would have given it a 9 but there is one small flaw by the Tsuka. It does not detract from the performance at all.

Construction - 7 - This is a very good shinai. It is constructed from thick staves of bamboo which adds to the weight. I do not think this is a bad thing for a couple of reasons. First, the thicker staves should be more durable than a normal bamboo shinai. It has not shown signs of damage yet. Second, I like the added weight. I picked this shinai because it felt really nice and easy to swing.

Balance - 7 - This will probably be higher when I get accustomed to this new shinai. This shinai has very good balance. It is very easy to swing and move. I have only used dobari shinais in the past, so it still feels a little different. I have used it for the past month and like how it moves.

Overall - 8 - I think that this is a very good shinai. It is not too expensive, very nice looking, well made, and should last a long time. The fact that this is a handmade shinai is a pretty nice feature, but I feel that could be one of the drawbacks of this item. When you break a stave of bamboo and replace it with another, it can change the attributes of this shinai (balance in particular). Other than that one drawback I really like this shinai.

I hope this helps out some.

[Nishi]

Sounds good.... i have just ordered two dobari from tozando and one was cracked and the other had no markings on it, specific brand name (it could be anything)etc.... Also the fittings have been reduced in quality. I have been ordering these shinai for over two years, and the declining quality has finally made me look elsewhere for shinai. I even put a formal complaint forward early this week, but alas, no reply. I'll do my best with these sorry shinai, and then im on to Asatsuki, no more messing with weak shinai from uninterested companies.

There, now i feel better.

Goomba, i checked the web site(e-bogu), i was looking for koban (oval) grip 39 at about 510g but they only seemed to have the chokoto style that you own....do they make koban??????

__________________________

[Goomba]

I think that they do, but I think they sell pretty quick. There is a link on that same page that was thier inventory list of shinais. They had a lot of different ones (including koban grip in dobari and chokuto styles) but only have a few shinais left (unfortunatly none are koban). I assume that when they run out they will order more.

I was going to order another shinai for a friend in July, so I will call them in two weeks to find out about ordering different shinais. Also another shop called Eguchi (www.eguchi.net) sells some pretty nice shinais. Many people at pratice use an Eguchi shinai called a Madake (it is the SH6 Madake in thier catalog) and it comes in many different styles and grips. I buy from E-bogu and Eguchi on a regular basis and I highly recommend both companies products. Both companies have very knowledgeable salespeople and are very friendly and helpful. E-Bogu usually gets my order to my house within 2 business days (granted they are only 80-90 miles from me). So I would try one of them.

[Nishi]

I saw eguchi at the worlds last week, and your right there where some very nice shiani there. I was looking at the "Akatsuki" from e-bogu but was quickly side tracked by "Morimoto" made shinai. They dont seem as solid but then again the dont feel heavy like akatsuki either (but better balanced). So i bought a hand crafted Morimoto, and i must say its the nicest looking shinai ive ever seen, but i'll let you know how it fences.

[Goomba]

Hey Nishi,

I'm glad that you found a shinai that works for you. I would love to hear how the Morimoto works out. Who did you pick it up from?

[Nishi]

Hey Goomba,
I bought it from the Eguchi while they where at the WKC in Glasgow. It cost me a cool £40 ( $85 U.S.). They had a stack laid out on a table so for the first time in my life i could actually shop for the shiani i wanted. And, their was someone there to fit all the fittings as well. Needless to say this shinai is good for me because i had a say in what i bought......

The color is nice as well, it has the usual bamboo goldie look but with this deep caramel down the centre of each stave, and the makers mark (zekken) is on the left side in gold, instead of the top stave.

Overall it is a thick meaty shinai, i actually had it weighed before i bought it as well.......lol!!! Cool experience!!!

[Hongsermeier]

Nishi...hope you got more than one. It is very similar to the musha from E-Bogu. When (eventually) you need to work on it, you will need another like it. No other shinai will work for parts. :cross_eye

[Nishi]

Hey Hongs,
I actually thought about that when i was buying it, and realised they where all individually made, so buying two that matched wasnt a possibility, so i treated my self. I have about 4 good shinai that i rotate at the moment so its in low rotation if you know what i mean.

I may get a year or so out of it. Whats this Musha shinai all about??

[Hongsermeier]

It's sold through E-Bogu. I had one and loved it. Only bought one and it cracked after a couple months. Had to wait to buy another one. Now I'm trying to get used to it again. If you go to their web site you can get a idea. I know m_french really likes his. :cross_eye

[13th warrior]

I purchased an Akatsuki Ichikawa from e-bogu recently. Our visiting coach from Japan allowed me to use it in training, although - or maybe because :) - I am very junior.

I think that the possession of beautiful handicrafted things is one of the nicest things about kendo. It shouldn't turn into flaunting or fetishism, though. But to hold a great piece of handicraft in our hands is a very good feeling. It is almost the same like equipping a character in a role-playing game, if you're into that kinda stuff.

Anyway, first-hand experiences: the Ichikawa is heavy and has a VERY thick round grip. No available tsuba will ever fit it, you have to craft one for yourself. It is also 3-4 inches shorter than a 39 shinai, so you have to adjust your sense of distance. I dunno 4 sure, as I couldn't try it without a tsuba, but it might put the holder into disadvantage if the opponent fences with a longer shinai.

It would be fair and great fun if both opponents used this kind of shinai. Until it becomes widely used, it's rather a piece of art for display or rare exercise. But in any case, it is a beautiful thing for sure!