Issues with tying the men

[Omega19x]

I'm a brand new Kendo student, and I just got my first bogu set. I've been having a lot of trouble with the men and I need advice. I know it fits me properly, but when I tie it, it put a tremendous amount of pressure on my ears. It's rather painful, and makes me pretty dizzy after a short while.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there something I can do to fix this? A different way I can tie the men? Something I can wear underneath it?

Also, do any of you wear glasses under your men? Mine won't fit, and I was pondering whether I should buy sports goggles, or if there was something else you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance!

[Halcyon]

I know it fits me properly, but when I tie it, it put a tremendous amount of pressure on my ears. It's rather painful, and makes me pretty dizzy after a short while.
Many people new to bogu have the same problem. One likely reason is that you are trying the knot in the back a bit too low. The knot should be at eye level (at the part of the skull that sticks out the most), rather than at the top of the neck. If you tie it too low, there's not enough space for your ears, as you have so painfully discovered. Also, once you have tied the men-himo, use your hands to pull the men-dare (the men flaps) out, so that you create additional space for your ears.

Also, do any of you wear glasses under your men? Mine won't fit, and I was pondering whether I should buy sports goggles, or if there was something else you'd recommend?
I don't wear glasses myself, but my dojo mates who do say the best thing is to put on contact lenses. If for some reason you can't wear contacts, glasses specifically made for kendo, like these, are your next best bet.

http://www.bogushop.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KA00

http://www.e-kendo.com/us/CART/12010107/pdDetail.html?PDid=192

[Abramo]

Your new bogu is probably not broken in yet. As you brake it in it'll start to feel more comfortable. Do mind the way you tie it, like Halcyon said, though.

As for glasses, I do wear them. Mine have a very thin and light frame so they fit, but it's not a perfect match of course. It used to hurt much more when my bogu was fresh out of the box and very stiff (that's like a couple of months ago). It's better now, but it tends to pinch once in a while. I actually think it's kinda dangerous to use glasses with the men (not to mention regular ones will be displaced mid keiko with the highest ranking sensei or during those semi-finals...). Anyway, the trick is to put them on after tying tenogui so they won't be caught up in it. Also adjust it after putting on men before you start keiko so they're not all crooked.

Contacts sound like a good choice. I've never seen or heard of people using those special Kendo sports glasses but I feel it might be worth a shot.

[ShinKenshi]

First, the usual answer: ask your sempai and sensei.

Here's what I and many other people do. After you tie the himo, reach behind your head and pull on the men-dare just below the not outwards. See this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHqVfoBQ7fs) to get a better idea (putting on the men at 5:24)

[swyn]

Also, do any of you wear glasses under your men? Mine won't fit, and I was pondering whether I should buy sports goggles, or if there was something else you'd recommend?



I trained without any correction for a couple months before I finally decided to try contact lenses that I gave up a long time ago. Besides the memories of the discomfort of the lenses, the cost was one of my concerns on the contact lenses, which I find wasn't bad at all especially wearing daily disposable only for Kendo. And the main concern turned out to be nothing compared to hard lenses. Also, I like my face without glasses. ha ha ha.

Here is the funny thing I really wanted to share.
When I got the lenses and got quite excited that I can actually see, my sensei told me that he trained the first 4 years of of kendo without any correction. He said "That actually helped my kendo a lot. If you can see, you rely on the vision. If you can't see, you'll sharpen your other senses. So get rid of the lenses!" and he laughed, "No no, I'm just kidding." There is a truth in it I think... but I do wear lenses. :laugh:

Yuko

[Omega19x]

I worked with tying the knot higher, and that helped a lot. Thanks! Though, I'll see how it holds up to the test of hard knocks, so to speak, at the next class. Some of my first few attempts at tying it ended with my men coming off mid-fight.

[nodachi]

You should also experiment with it at home. You can do this while watching tv or whatever when you are otherwise not doing much else. Put on the men, see how it feels, wear it a bit, untie, repeat.... It'll give you a chance to experiment and see if you are maybe tying it too tight or too low/high or whatever and it will help to loosen everything up and start to wear it in a little.

You also get to experiment this way and not deal with stress when it doesn't fit right and interupts your practice.

[nrg-]

theres a few techniques to avoid the pain in your ear.. most notably that ive seen is people make "the hat" tie with their tenugui which covers your ears to reduce the pain of the pressure on your ears.
just keep practice tying and eventually itll be easier

and for the glasses i have special glasses for my men.. my dad got them for me and himself but its really great

http://www.e-kendo.com/us/UPDIR/e-kendo/shop_img/small/192.jpg

it looks like that and it wraps around one of the layers inside your helmet so it doesnt move