Just how tough IS a shinai?

[Machismo111]

Just curious. Prior to kendo-viewing-experience I thought "Oh, they must not hit eachother that hard..." Then of course witnessed their full-power attacks and thought it was remarkable that shinai didnt break all the time. So I started to wonder, is it just that shinai vs. shinai/bogu that they're so resilliant against damage, or can they strike anything at all repeatedly without worry?

Last Friday in Kirikaeshi(sp?) I accidentally smacked a giant concrete pillar =(.

[Raiza]

So I started to wonder, is it just that shinai vs. shinai/bogu that they're so resilliant against damage, or can they strike anything at all repeatedly without worry?


No, not at all. Shinai break so often they're considered disposable. Your typical dojo will recommend that you check your shinai periodically throughout practise plus you must regularly maintain your shinai (http://www.shinai.org/housemef/shinaimaint/shinaimaint.html). Those who use poor technique or choosing inappropriate targets (mengane, concrete pillars) will increase the likelihood of their shinai breaking. For the safety of your dojo-mates and yourself, make sure you check your shinai over. Any cracks mean it's not safe for use.

[Machismo111]

No, not at all. Shinai break so often they're considered disposable. Your typical dojo will recommend that you check your shinai periodically throughout practise plus you must regularly maintain your shinai (http://www.shinai.org/housemef/shinaimaint/shinaimaint.html). Those who use poor technique or choosing inappropriate targets (mengane, concrete pillars) will increase the likelihood of their shinai breaking. For the safety of your dojo-mates and yourself, make sure you check your shinai over. Any cracks mean it's not safe for use.

Oh me oh my =O. How many practices or matches would one shinai typically last? And thank you for the link, very informative =D

[Neil Gendzwill]

I think most people typically go through 2 or 3 shinai a year.

[Old Warrior]

"So I started to wonder, is it just that shinai vs. shinai/bogu that they're so resilliant against damage, or can they strike anything at all repeatedly without worry?"

One was strong enough to break my left thumb through the kote last week. [ouch]

[Raiza]

I think most people typically go through 2 or 3 shinai a year.

The exception is if you're a freak like me and cannot break your two shinai after two years of regular practise. Curse my tenouchi! Curse my meticulous maintenance regime! :D



One was strong enough to break my left thumb through the kote last week. [ouch]

Ouch is right! I hope you can rest up and get well soon!

[Neil Gendzwill]

The exception is if you're a freak like me and cannot break your two shinai after two years of regular practise. Curse my tenouchi! Curse my meticulous maintenance regime! :D
Curse your gender! Most women hit lighter than most men, which is both good and bad.

[ALI G]

Oh me oh my =O. How many practices or matches would one shinai typically last? And thank you for the link, very informative =D

Dontz worriezzzzzzzz.............mozt of da timez da shinaiz outlazt da studentzzzzz

["Rojindo"]

Mine seem to last around eight months.

I've found that they can crack with misuse, or if one is a grossly heavy hitter (like who ever cracked Old Warrior's thumb--sheesh, wadda Gorilla).

With regular suburi, one can learn to control the power of ones hits... with even more suburi, one can deleiver painful hits... still more suburi, Gorrilla.

Then again, one of the lightest hitters I know (a girl from Thailand) seems to be able to score point after point with just a friendly tap.

Oh, and our Dojo Master strikes with JUST ENOUGH power to make one regret the opening he found... but never hard enough to bruise (well OK.. sometimes).

Suburi Suburi Suburi!!!

[etherknot]

Just remember, a shinai is in essence just a bunch of bamboo strips tried together. They're wood. Dry wood cracks easily. If you try to snap a really dry bit of wood it will break. The dryer it gets, the easier it gets to break.
So learn to take care of your shinai with oil as directed by people at your dojo!


Of course there is also the too-much-right-hand syndrome or other miscellaneous freak shinai breaking occurances. Those happen too. Watch out :)

[Yzakj]

Just remember, a shinai is in essence just a bunch of bamboo strips tried together. They're wood. Dry wood cracks easily. If you try to snap a really dry bit of wood it will break. The dryer it gets, the easier it gets to break.
So learn to take care of your shinai with oil as directed by people at your dojo!


Of course there is also the too-much-right-hand syndrome or other miscellaneous freak shinai breaking occurances. Those happen too. Watch out :)

Actually I heard from this kind of stupid program on tv that Bamboo is different from wood in the way it grows in water? That seems correct seeing as Bamboo is quite resilient compared to wood, but has less uses because it is not as big and thick. So Bamboo is stronger than a piece of similar shaped wood, if you tried hitting stuff with a small stick you would know. But it will still crack with misuse, so do take care of it as etherknot mentions. Bamboo is also better aesthetically, wood just looks like wood...

[Raiza]

Curse your gender! Most women hit lighter than most men, which is both good and bad.

LOL, I started off as a real bruiser until I learned what it's like to receive hard hits with no tenouchi whatsoever. I emphasize tenouchi because I choose to do so. As long as I score good ippon and do good kendo without harming my opponents, that's just fine with me.

Having my shinai last longer is a nice bonus. :)

[Future Head]

Actually I heard from this kind of stupid program on tv that Bamboo is different from wood in the way it grows in water?

Just on a side note, I've got two stalks of bamboo that a subletter left in my apartment over the summer sitting in a pint glass with water... I don't give them plant food, I just keep the glass full, and they've been growing! It's like an uber-weed. Doesn't need any nutrients to live. EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

[AlexM]

Quick biology reminder:

Bamboo is not wood. It is actually considered to be a type of grass.

(insert stupid stoner joke here).

Check out a National Geographic article from October 1980 for more on bamboo (including a cover picture of two kenshi in a bamboo grove).

[litige]

the first picture i saw of kendo, i was 5 and it was in my karata dojo, was to kenshi fighting outside near a temple, and that is how the pation started (also after seeing me sensei do a keiko with his wife), i was also very interested in Japan a this time, i was very young.

[litige]

the first picture i saw of kendo, i was 5 and it was in my karata dojo, was to kenshi fighting outside near a temple, and that is how the pation started (also after seeing me sensei do a keiko with his wife), i was also very interested in Japan a this time, i was very young.

to many faults, poor english, its karate, two not to, passion not pation, my and not my.... is it a keiko, ji-keiko or another spelling?

[Eldritch Knight]

I think most people typically go through 2 or 3 shinai a year.


Really? I usually go through one a month (if not more). What frequency of practice are you talking about with this guesstimate?

[Neil Gendzwill]

Our club practices twice per week, 2 hours each time. If you're going through a shinai a month you're probably hitting the mengane a lot. The next time you get a brand new shinai, check the side staves at the end of practice. If you have a lot of dents there, you're hitting the mengane a lot. Ask your sensei for advice on how to correct it.

[Eldritch Knight]

Ah. I see. I practice 6 times a week for 4 hours each. Japanese high school club, you see.

[lwegerich]

One was strong enough to break my left thumb through the kote last week. [ouch]

That's a matter of proper breathing! ;)

No seriously, am sorry for you but as I know you from this forum you get back to training soon and kick the guy's ass.

[Old Warrior]

Went back last night for the 1st time. The nail is black, the thumb tip is still very sore, and YESSSSSSSS - I'm patiently waiting for the clubber to return. I have been dreaming about one good smack to the head as he starts to advance (and then another for good measure).

[LNGUYEN]

Went back last night for the 1st time. The nail is black, the thumb tip is still very sore, and YESSSSSSSS - I'm patiently waiting for the clubber to return. I have been dreaming about one good smack to the head as he starts to advance (and then another for good measure).

Old Warrior,

Just make sure to bring a camera ready. We want to see the mess after your revenge with you standing proudly beside

[Hongsermeier]

Shinai are pretty tought, unless it's against Mr. French. :cross_eye

[DanDan]

Shinai are pretty tought, unless it's against Mr. French. :cross_eyewho's mr french?

[Raiza]

If you don't know, you don't need to worry. ;)

[m_french]

If you don't know, you don't need to worry. ;)
Worry! :beard:

[m_french]

Shinai are pretty tought, unless it's against Mr. French. :cross_eye
Hey that's not fair I never met a shinai I didn't like......unless you that on Nakauchi sensei kept sticking in my throat at the team tourney. I did have to break that one.:beard:

[Demilikos]

Just on a side note, I've got two stalks of bamboo that a subletter left in my apartment over the summer sitting in a pint glass with water... I don't give them plant food, I just keep the glass full, and they've been growing! It's like an uber-weed. Doesn't need any nutrients to live. EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

Hmm...how does that work?

Is it really photosynthesis from the sun that solid organic matter could form from thin air? Or something in the water?

Ack! I realize this is far from the subject of shinai ... u.u *leans at corner of a hall depressed*

[Yowai]

Um, plants don't photosynthesize. They metabolize food.

[Bleda]

Plants do use photosynthesis, to metabolize food first a metabolism is necessary and since plants lack a true metabolism we can conclude that metabolizing food is completely incorrect.

As to how bamboo is growing from just water....haven't a clue unless the water has nutrients in it aswell that are acting like food (most likely).

[Andoru]

Shush Bleda you're hampering Yowai's trolling effort.

[Bleda]

my bad i forgot bout that. I retract my previous statement.

[Mitsurugi_xx]

Dontz worriezzzzzzzz.............mozt of da timez da shinaiz outlazt da studentzzzzz
HAHAHA that is soooooo true!

[not-I]

Just remember, a shinai is in essence just a bunch of bamboo strips tried together. They're wood. Dry wood cracks easily. If you try to snap a really dry bit of wood it will break. The dryer it gets, the easier it gets to break.
So learn to take care of your shinai with oil as directed by people at your dojo!
That's an important tip, regardless of the botany discussion. If you don't happen to live in a humid climate, like Japan, it's a good idea between practices to store your shinai in the bathroom, not IN the shower, but in the same room. There, they can happily soak up a lot of moisture and you don't have to oil them as often. Shinai will eventually break anyway, but they will certainly break much sooner when dry. Also, watch out when shopping for new ones, a lot of so-called martial arts shops peddle shinai and have no idea how to store them, so you can end up purchasing one dry as a bone that cracks during the first practice.