Really quick question about my new Kendogi

[shidokurisu]

Hello all, I need this answered ASAP if I am going to do something before tomorrow about it, so please answer if you have any advice.

I just got my bogu, kendogi and hakama, and I have my first practice in it tomorrow. For my Kendogi, do I need to do anythign special to it before tomorrow if I do not want to look like a smurf after practice? Do I need to do the cold water wash or anything like that? Please let me know asap if you have any suggestions. Thanks a lot.

[H.Sandsleth]

No you don't need to. Some argue that vinegar baths, salt etc works but then it has to stay in it for a while. A day or two maybe. Enjoy your first smurfdom, it will come off in the shower.

[shidokurisu]

Ok, thanks for the quick reply. This should be an interesting experience.... lol

[Oroshi]

I'm fixing the dye in my kendogi with sweat. It's taking a while but it's pretty satisfying.

[Toecutter]

I'm fixing the dye in my kendogi with sweat.
Someone wrote a very good paragraph about setting the dye with vinegar and or salt. To sum it up it doesn't really work. Wash it a few times and as Oroshi said do the rest with sweating it out. It doesn't actually take that long and the dye comes right off in the shower.

[Neil Gendzwill]

You wouldn't have time to get it dry overnight in any case. Wear your smurfdom with pride - it washes off easily with soap and water anyways.

[NigelSponge]

I've heard the indigo dye that gets on your skin from the kendogi and hakama is good for the bruises and welts we are all bound do get. I'd say it's a legit claim, ever since i got my heavy duty uniform (IOW not the cheap kind) i have noticed my bruises generally aren't as bad as they use to get.
Good luck at your first bogu practice! =D

[ShinKenshi]

Someone wrote a very good paragraph about setting the dye with vinegar and or salt. To sum it up it doesn't really work. Wash it a few times and as Oroshi said do the rest with sweating it out. It doesn't actually take that long and the dye comes right off in the shower.It does actually work. I've used a 1:2 dilution of white vinegar to water (total volume of about 10 gallons) in a big Rubbermaid bin and I've let my hakama and gi soak overnight. In the morning I rinse both under cold water until I get the vinegar out and then hang dry everything. Haven't been a smurf from either of them.

[Inner_Silence]

people should be proud of being blue!

[Toecutter]

It does actually work. I've used a 1:2 dilution of white vinegar to water (total volume of about 10 gallons) in a big Rubbermaid bin and I've let my hakama and gi soak overnight.
Again I didn't write it but the poster made a pretty clear case that the dye does not interact with the vinegar. Most likely the soaking it for a day or two did the trick. I don't think it matters either way, I have tried the trick myself with varying effects. These days I just wash it once and what ever comes off afterwards comes off.

[shidokurisu]

Well, I had my first practice today and first set of keiko (3 seperate sessions with 3 of my fellow shidogakuin kendoka, one of them being 'Omnis' from these KW forums whom without I wouldn't have even been able to get my bogu on I don't think). It was the coolest thing I have done in a very long time. It was a great overall experience. It is definitely a whole WORLD different from just normal clothes training, but I felt great afterwards. I got hit on the arms a couple times, but nothing really bruising or anything. My sensei makes such amazing kote cuts that all I could do if bow to him after receiving them. I did wind up looking like a smurf afterwards, but I didn't even care. It was funny to me. I was at the beach for the rest of the day after I got back, so it just rinsed off in the ocean anyways. Today really solidified my love and interest for kendo.