question about eguchi tsukagawa lengths

[monkeydo]

Can someone tell me what the difference in size of tsukagawa lengths and style that eguchi offers?

[Hai_hai]

From what I have learned, there are 3 lengths of shinai, 39, 38, and 37. There are 3 lengths for tsukagawa, 39, 38, and 37. You can mix shinai size and tsukagawa size.
Speak with your sensei to determine what is best for you.

[Fraz]

In Competitions Men are only allowed to use 39, Women and older youths 38, youths 37. Your national Kendo association should be able to supply details of competition regulations...
As far as I am aware there is no rule for Tsukagawa lengths...

I do remember reading that a 39 Tsukagawa is meant for tall people, Normal height people should use 38 on a 39 shinai.

I've recently started doing this, and it certainly seems to help..

[Neil Gendzwill]

The original poster asked a question about tsukagawa sizes (the leather handle). A 39 tsukagawa is meant for a 39 shinai, 38 for a 38 shinai and so forth. However if you prefer a narrower grip you may choose to put a 38 tsukagawa on a 39 shinai because it's a little shorter. They're also usually little skinnier so you may have some trouble getting it on the handle. Better quality tsukagawa also come in different diameters (small, medium, large etc) so that if you prefer tsuka with smaller or larger diameter you can get the fit you need. A large diameter 38 tsukagawa might fit well on a normal 39 shinai - best to check with the supplier to make sure. As far as the different styles go, the web page seems to explain them well - they have 3 different styles, a standard one and two high quality ones that appear to differ only in trim colour. Some vendors also offer tsukagawa in one loop and two loop styles (by loop I mean the loop of leather you attach the tsuru to - I like two loop but most people prefer one, they're easier to tie).

Addressing shinai size: they vary from 30 to 39 (the size is the length in sun, 1 sun =~ 3cm). In practice most men use 39 and most women use 38, with high schoolers using 36, 37 or 38 depending on size/age. 30, 32 or 34 are for little kids (for some reason I haven't seen odd sizes under 36). The rules allow more flexibility: they specify minimum weight and maximum length. The maximum length varies with age, the minimum weight with age and sex. Women and men over 18 are free to use any size up to 39 so long as it meets the minimum weight requirement for their sex (a little lighter for women). Weight is measured with all the leather bits but not the tsuba or tsuba-dome. See here for a table: http://www.kendo-sask.com/swordfaq.htm#_Toc422549477

[monkeydo]

cool... thank you all for informative response...
oh yeah by the way, i'm new... I guess i'll just take my time here to say hello to everyone.... Hi.