shinai size

[aikosenoo]

hi!! I'm new around here :)
I have practiced kendo for around 3 months now. When you start in our dojo, you are supposed to use the avaliable shinais and after a while you may buy one or you are assigned one.
I'm from Honduras, Central America. So as you may guess the only way to get a shinai or equipment is by ordering it outside the country.
anyway! I recently was told that I may choose one of the avaliable shinais and keep it for my personal use. There are sizes 37 and 38.
My question is. What size of shinai girls usually use and what you are suppose to look forward when chosing a shinai?
extra info:
I'm 19 years old but I'm kind of short... 1.59cm :P

[Elessar]

1.59cm? lol I hope you meant 159 cm. You are just as tall as I am :) Well, I read before that when you put the shinai with the tip on the floor, the end of the tsuka should reach up to your chest level. Another way to check is by holding the shinai close to the tsuba and the end should reach the inside of your elbow [if you get what I mean].

Just for the record, I am using a size 38 shinai. :P

[turboyoshi]

Typically, adult females use a size 38 shinai but you should double check with your sensei before ordering one, of course.

I don't know how current this is but this (http://www.kendo-usa.org/reference/shinai_regs.htm)charts shows the FIK regulations for shinai based on age and gender.

You can use a size 39 if you want to but it will be heavier than is strictly required and once you start competing, you'll probably want the lightest one you can get away with. :)

sean

[Neil Gendzwill]

You should probably use a 38, but try to get one made for women. Many people aren't aware of this but many 38s sold are heavier than they need to be for women. A high school boy's 38 is minimum 480 g, girl's 38 is 420 g, women's is 440.

[kendogrl]

Im just weird.

Im 5'3, when I started kendo, I purchased the size 38 and 39. I know 38 is more used regularly by women my size but I wanted to get both. 38 is a tad bit smaller just barely and also a bit lighter then the 39. I use both when practicing, I think it helps me having a little heavier of a shinai (39) training with because then the (38) feels like nothing.

But if you had to go with one over the other I know I would take my 38 over the 39. It's just more comfortable and natural feeling with my size compared to the 39.

[aikosenoo]

oops!! I meant 159 cm :P!
yeah! My sempai once lend me his shinai for a practice. It was 38 but it was so heavy.
I guess for now I will use one of the 38, but at the time I buy one myself I'm going to make sure is a 38 for women. thanks Neil for the advice.
and yep, I have used some 37, and I like them better 'cause they are so light. but I think I must use something heavier :P
thanks guys.

[kendogrl]

oops!! I meant 159 cm :P!
yeah! My sempai once lend me his shinai for a practice. It was 38 but it was so heavy.
I guess for now I will use one of the 38, but at the time I buy one myself I'm going to make sure is a 38 for women. thanks Neil for the advice.
and yep, I have used some 37, and I like them better 'cause they are so light. but I think I must use something heavier :P
thanks guys.

This is just a thought, so not everyone will agree but it makes sense to me. I wouldn't go for a 37 because of how light it is. If it's so light you have to think that it will have less momentum. Sure it will help you be quicker, but so will a 38. Coming down on a men strike some of the weight will bring it down faster as well. With a 37 it's basically all you. I mean it's just a thought.

[rottunpunk]

hmmn
i used a smaller one and it still caused a strain
but then im just a weakling
still i would say that unless you have really strong arms *and more importantly hara( then use the 37.
that way you can train for longer without getting as tired and minimise initial risk of muscle strain

oph and mine is an oval grip from tozando
very nice
i agree with neil-get a womans one whatever size you choose
:p

[turboyoshi]

The problem with getting a smaller shinai is that you won't be able to use it in competitions, I thought. Isn't there a rule that says adult females have to use a 38?

sean

[Neil Gendzwill]

The problem with getting a smaller shinai is that you won't be able to use it in competitions, I thought. Isn't there a rule that says adult females have to use a 38? The rules state maximum length and minimum weight. A normal boy's 37 meets regulations for adult women. But honestly for a beginner I would be more concerned about how she is handling the shinai for practice. If a 38 is too heavy, I don't have any problems in someone using a 37. By the time she's ready for a tournament, her technique will have improved enough to get a bigger shinai. It's a judgement call for her sensei, not for us.

[H.Sandsleth]

Isn't the minimum for 37" male 440 grams, and the same as the minimum for an adult woman?

[Neil Gendzwill]

Yep, you're right (http://www.kendo-usa.org/reference/shinai_regs.htm). A boy's 37 would meet the regulations - fixed my previous post. I'd weigh it, though.

[JByrd]

Equally crucial is getting the length of the tsuka correct for your size. If your handle is too long (and your hands are too far apart), it is harder to control hasuji (the angle of the cutting edge). If your hands are too close, you'll find it hard to wield the shinai with dexterity since the balance will be skewed toward the tip. You may have to experiment to find to right combination of shinai length, weight, and handle length.

Also, don't discount the effect of handle diameter. If the handle is too fat, or too thin, you'll have a hard time gripping it correctly.

My wife is about the same height as the OP, and she uses a women's 38, with a 37 handle.

[turboyoshi]

Equally crucial is getting the length of the tsuka correct for your size.

How should I determine if the tsuka length is correct for me?

sean

[JByrd]

How should I determine if the tsuka length is correct for me?


One method that will get you in the ballpark is to base it on the length of your forearm. Bend your right elbow to an angle of ninety degrees between your forearm and upper arm. Place the end of the handle in the crook of your elbow, and grip the upper part of the handle with your right hand. If there is space of more than one centimeter between the the index finger of your right hand, and the tsuba, you need a shorter tsukagawa. (Allow one centimeter of space for the thickness of your kote).

That's only a rough measure, though. I found the sweet spot by cutting down tsukagawa to various lengths and trying them until I found what felt best. Most of the time, a 39 shinai with size 38 tsukagawa is just about right for me. I buy dotanuki (fat handle) shinai, and a 38 tsukagawa will end up being a centimeter or so shorter when stretched over a fat handle, compared to a thin handle.

[turboyoshi]

Ahh, thank you. Tried to rep ya, but denied. Now this brings up another question. If a 38 tsuka length fits you better, why even bother to use a 39 shinai? Won't shortening the tsuka make the shinai feel even more forward weighted or does that not affect your swing enough to be a concern?

sean