Buying Keikogi & Hakama in Australia

[Jez_A]

Hi,

As a beginner, I am looking to purchase my own Keikogi & Hakama, and I am aware that they can be purchased across the net either from UK, US, Korean or Japanese suppliers. However, I am trying to find a supplier in Australia, that can supply good quality items at a reasonable price, as the cost of shipping can almost double cost of the items!!!

Additionally, what is the difference between single and double layer keikogi, and whether they are Indigo dyed or not?...

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Jez_A

[qpuppy]

Hi,
As a beginner, I am looking to purchase my own Keikogi & Hakama, and I am aware that they can be purchased across the net either from UK, US, Korean or Japanese suppliers. However, I am trying to find a supplier in Australia, that can supply good quality items at a reasonable price, as the cost of shipping can almost double cost of the items!!!

Additionally, what is the difference between single and double layer keikogi, and whether they are Indigo dyed or not?...
Jez_A

Heya Jez...

I'm a supplier in Australia for Koei Budogu.... :tongue:

Yeah.. shipping cost is a killer sometimes.. but that is because most of the time (depending on the company... in my case Koei) send them by air... and with me.. they send it by EMS... EMS is quick.. can get it within a couple of weeks.. but it's costly.... (eg... gi & hakama.. by EMS... would probably looking into about $50-$60) apart from the shipping cost... the quality and price of Koei's stuff is extremely good, and I'm not just saying that because I'm the supplier...

Single layered and Double layered... well difference is double layered has end extra lining in the Kendogi which does many things... winter~keeps you warmer... and when you sweat... (even when it's really wet) you would still feel pretty dry inside... also it's is more comfortable to wear.

Indigo dye... this is the natural dye.... the dye actually have a Bacteria kill properties (this is due to you sweating some much at training), because natural dye gi & hakama is should not be wash often...

Just wondering... what club do you train at in Sydney? Becasue at the end of this month I will be popping to NewCastle for the AUG... if your gonna be there.. I can give you more details....

[angryshinai]

Whatever you do not buy from samurai martial arts. Their hakama are of very poor quality. Oh yeah c you at training tommorow night qpuppy :)

[aru-ma]

Whatever you do not buy from samurai martial arts. Their hakama are of very poor quality. Oh yeah c you at training tommorow night qpuppy :)

YOU! where were you on wednesday??!!!! :angry:

hey qpuppy, long time no see :silly:
with single and double layers it wouldnt make much of a difference down here (warmth wise), I use a single layered gi throughout winter (I was planning for it to be my summer gi but I like it better than my old gi), only made a difference right after you change before warmups and after training.

[angryshinai]

YOU! where were you on wednesday??!!!! :angry:

hey qpuppy, long time no see :silly:
with single and double layers it wouldnt make much of a difference down here (warmth wise), I use a single layered gi throughout winter (I was planning for it to be my summer gi but I like it better than my old gi), only made a difference right after you change before warmups and after training.


I had an assignment that had to be done.... I did do suburi tho.... Ill be training at fudoshin tommorow night :) oh yeah best of luck with grading on saturday... sorry 2 everyone else for being off topic.

[jmcclell]

Whatever you do not buy from samurai martial arts. Their hakama are of very poor quality. Oh yeah c you at training tommorow night qpuppy :)

Thanks for that advice,ie. samurai martial arts. Have look in their store and was considering purchasing their fit. But might shop around more now. :cheerful:

[elfboy]

Whatever you do not buy from samurai martial arts.

Haha, just out of curiosity I checked their website and from what the supplier/academy looks like, I would agree with you. They have a "Kid's Summer Samurai Camp" which looks rather flaky to me, although the site claims that it is a New York certified camp. Hmm... in general, the other pictures of the facility reminded me of an all too familiar dojo of the infamous "Korean martial arts" teacher named Tae Yun Kim/Kyong Ae Fontaine... I don't know, I actually think the place is probably legitimate... but just the way the site is presented and the whole atmosphere reminds me of some charlatans like Rick Tew...

Then again I may be wrong :D. But hey, a picture is worth a thousand words:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~samurai/images/kungFu.jpg

I cracked up when I saw this picture... no offense, but they look like real dorks!!! Either they're practicing the latest dance moves, practicing some freestyle rap movement or perhaps, a slight possibility exists that they may be studying Kung Fu. :D

P.S

If these are real kung fu moves, forgive me for not knowing... I don't mean to offend a tradition :D.

[Jez_A]

Just wondering... what club do you train at in Sydney? Becasue at the end of this month I will be popping to NewCastle for the AUG... if your gonna be there.. I can give you more details....

I am a member of the UNSW Kendo Club, but I am not a student. I will, however, be trying to attend the AUG Kendo on the 30th September as a spectator - depends on work issues :( .

Any further information regarding Kendo equipment, the costs, availability etc. would be much appreciated :happy: .

[Jez_A]

Heya Jez...

Single layered and Double layered... well difference is double layered has end extra lining in the Kendogi which does many things... winter~keeps you warmer... and when you sweat... (even when it's really wet) you would still feel pretty dry inside... also it's is more comfortable to wear.

Indigo dye... this is the natural dye.... the dye actually have a Bacteria kill properties (this is due to you sweating some much at training), because natural dye gi & hakama is should not be wash often...

P.S. Thanks for answering my queries regarding Keikogi & the Indigo dye.....

[lucian]

lo qpuppy,
could I ask some questions about koei suppliers?
what influence does koei have over you etc?
I am having quite a bit of trouble with eurobogu at the moment but I am not really allowed to talk about it, as I will be taking them to court about it pretty soon if they do not start answering my questions
I want to know if koei has any say in how eurobogu do business, are they a subsidiary of koei or just a reseller and would they be able to get a reply for me if I wrote to koei in Japanese?
Sorry to bug you with this
And thanks in advance
Gregg

[Yellow Savage]

Hey Jez_A I'm also a member of the UNSW Kendo Club and like you not a student...hmmm so who are you??? Are you a beginner without bogu? Or a seasoned Veteran? hehehe

I'll be a spectator at AUG up in Newcastle as well. Guess I'll find out who you are sooner or later

So which Uni is the odds on favourite to take the team event?

The Actual Invidual Dan Grade Event will be no doubt be won by a UNSW member!!! ...nooo doubt!!! hahaha

[aru-ma]

The Actual Invidual Dan Grade Event will be no doubt be won by a UNSW member!!! ...nooo doubt!!! hahaha

Only when pigs fly YS :grin: UNSW? I heard you guy's are coming down to melbourne later this year.

[qpuppy]

Your worst nightmare is coming for the kyu grades individuals.... because I'm coming to the AUG.... :laugh: :evil:

Oh for the people going to the AUG... I will be setting up a small stand selling shinais (limited only bring up 20) and some other small things... (and maybe a set of bogu for sale ~ a 5mm going to $800 ~ damn barget for the quality for this bogu and I mean barget.. dont be fooled by the "5mm" .... but only maybe... if I can fit into my bag....) so... first come first serves....

*All products from Koei Budogu....

[aru-ma]

That's bargain man b-a-r-g-a-i-n :)

Thought you're not going for the competition, oh well, only the more the merrier, I'm feeling very itchy now, got 4 days left, exciting ain't it? the only thing I'm not looking forward is the 3 hour drive from Sydney to Newcastle.

if you're going to take the bogu which 5mm are you taking up qpuppy?

[Yellow Savage]

Only when pigs fly YS :grin: UNSW? I heard you guy's are coming down to melbourne later this year.

Hey Aru-ma is them fighting words?!?! :angry: hehehe j/k

I'm just doing my bit for my club but seriously I don't know who are the odds on favourites to take the invidivual events...hmm I guess Im just gauging my predictions on last year's Individual Dan Event results :wink: hehehe

Hey dude are you Indo as well?

Anyways it should only be a 2hr drive between Sydney and Newcastle so I guess I'll see you up there aye? I'll be the idiot screaming at the top of my lungs New South! New South! clad in our White UNSW Kendo Club Polo's hehehe

Hey qpuppy, I just bought the Bio Gold Gi from Koei (Mr Terada is a really patient man hehe) and was wondering if I needed to set the die with a mixture of rice wine/vinegar and water? Cheers buddy... guess I'll be looking out for the guy selling the Koei stuff on Tuesday :happy:

[qpuppy]

Hey Yellow....

OOOOOOO... Bio gold gi... niceeeeeeee...... expensive stuff there...;)
well see you there...;) me leaving tonight... should get to NC at about 10am tomorrow morning...

[Yellow Savage]

Hey Yellow....

OOOOOOO... Bio gold gi... niceeeeeeee...... expensive stuff there...;)
well see you there...;) me leaving tonight... should get to NC at about 10am tomorrow morning...

Hi qpuppy...are you from Victoria? Which club/dojo are you a member of? I think our club will be touring Melbourne during early December but I won't be going to due to work committments.

I still don't know if I should be setting the die in rice wine/vinegar and water??? Can you please provide your expertise here.

The price wasn't too bad... as you probably are well aware Koei gives a significant discount to International customers...and the Gi should last for quiet a while...still can't believe how soft it feels...makes my Silver Warrior Brand Gi which I bought locally feel like wearing sandpaper haha.

Anyways have a safe journey, GOOD LUCK and I'll see you on Tuesday.
BTW what Shinais and bogu set are you taking with you???

[Chopstix]

Hey Yellow....

OOOOOOO... Bio gold gi... niceeeeeeee...... expensive stuff there...;)
well see you there...;) me leaving tonight... should get to NC at about 10am tomorrow morning...
Mr qpuppy - you have PM mate :)