folding tenugui before putting on head

[_LA_]

Our Shihan taught me how to fold tenugui, but my tenugui was misplaced for a couple of weeks right after he showed me, and when I reclaimed it and tried to fold it, turns out I forgot. I thought I could easily find a video or such on youtube, but ALL of the online videos or instructionals I find show one of two different ways, it seems, and all are on-the-head folds. Has anyone else learned to fold this into a little 'hat' before putting it on? Is there a link online that anyone can point me to? I remember the first couple of steps and a couple in the middle, but I'm blanking on two key areas. Our class tonight was cancelled from this snow, so it'll be another week till I can ask him or a fellow student...would appreciate the help!

[JCM]

The Kendo Equipment Manual (http://www6.big.or.jp/~budogu/manu/topm.htm)

I would recommend that you learn the other ways, you eventually have to grow out of the hat :)

[ArcticBlizzard]

Easy way
A vid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSu-uw4DUp8)
Correct way
another vid, about halfway (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHqVfoBQ7fs&feature=related)

[zaemon]

The Kendo Equipment Manual (http://www6.big.or.jp/~budogu/manu/topm.htm)

I would recommend that you learn the other ways, you eventually have to grow out of the hat :)

What? I never... The hat rules, half the guys I really respect use it, though I still suck at even the hat.

[ArcticBlizzard]

At our dojo only the beginners use the hat, all other will use the ways shown in the second vid. I also tried, didn't work because apparently I should have made it little wet so it didn't want to fold like it should, I now use the hat so I don't hold them up to much. Eventually I will have to fold it the correct way, it's quite easy ones you put a little water on it to make it moist.

[_LA_]

hm...is it disrespectful to fold in a way other than I was taught by the instructor? Or do you think he was just showing me what he thought was the easiest way, and as long as it stays on & does its job it won't matter either way?

[_LA_]

Easy way
A vid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSu-uw4DUp8)
Correct way
another vid, about halfway (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHqVfoBQ7fs&feature=related)

Hm, the first is a hat but NOT the way I was shown (it starts off the same, but there were more steps in Shihan's method)...the second is an on-the-head.

[NigelSponge]

i can do both but opt to do the hat style. This isn't because i'm lazy though, i like how it covers my ears, and i dont get those painful knots created by all the folds in the tie on head method. It's just a lot more comfortable and neat looking imo.

[R Stroud]

FWIW, the folded hat style is taught to kids in Japan. Older kenshi use one of the other two ways to wrap in on your head.

[ArcticBlizzard]

Hm, the first is a hat but NOT the way I was shown (it starts off the same, but there were more steps in Shihan's method)...the second is an on-the-head.
It could be that the two folded parts are folded ones more over each other.
You make the 2nd and 3rd fold and the folded parts overlap each other but after overlapping you still have some fabric left over after the overlapped parts. You fold these over each other so there are no ends and then you stuff it in.

If you think my explanation makes any sense then kudos to you, I don' get my own explanation but it's the only variation I could think of. I'm only a beginner so maybe somebody else can explain it a little better.

[_LA_]

lol! Actually I sat down & played with it and looked at the pics in the equipment guide link that a couple of people posted, and I think that was the differenc e- those 'extra steps' were just tucking in before tucking in. So I actually do understand what you said and I think you're right :) Thanks everyone! Now I just have to figure out how to consistently get it to just-my-size..

[Kenzan]

Save yourself the trouble.
Just sew it into the inside of your men.

Better yet, just wear one 24 hours a day.
Excellent Fashion statement, you know.

[SanguineKendoka]

Save yourself the trouble.
Just sew it into the inside of your men.

Better yet, just wear one 24 hours a day.
Excellent Fashion statement, you know.

Excellent for pulling, I might add.

[atgm]

I do the hat. Faster, less painful on the ears, and doesn't tend to get caught on/rip off my hearing aid.

[Kent Enfield]

FWIW, the folded hat style is taught to kids in Japan. Older kenshi use one of the other two ways to wrap in on your head.
The kids at my junior high who did kendo in grade school all come in knowing the hat style. They're chided about wearing their tenugui the way little kids do until they start using the method the rest of the club does.

[Gessho]

I love the hat although I am the only one in my dojo who does it that way. No one has said anything to me so that means they are probably laughing at me...! :redface:

[skilled]

Thanks!

I wanted to know this way of putting the tenogui !

Hat forever!

[MrChow]

When I started kendo I found the hat the hardest way! Could never get the size quite right. Haven't looked back since.

[cesarekim]

I have a large head. I know it sounds like I'm boasting but I do...

The hat addresses the issue of a lot of my tenogui becoming too small over time to use in the regular fashion. Ear protection is an added bonus.

[jjcruiser]

Speaking of large head/small tenugui, mine always seem on the verge of being too small, too. Anyone found a place that sells them a little big?

FWIW I tried the hat thing once and couldn't figure it out. I do the "teeth" method.

[ZEROtoNINE]

I can do both ways, but prefer the "hat" way. I seem to be able to get the tenugui tighter around my head and ears. It just seems to fit better this way. Though if I'm around visiting sensei or higher ranking students, I'll do it the "wrap" way.