Anyone using a shorter shinai than a 39?

[J.S]

Hi!

I just tried to do keiko with a really short shinai (about 37) that I made by cutting of a bit of one of my regular shinais. It was a very intresting experience and I am going to experiment a bit furter after the my next taikai when I have some time to just practice.

Have anyone of you guys treid anything similar? I'd really like to hear about it.

[tango]

I use a 38 tsukagawa on my 39 shinai ... does that count for anything?

[Cutie_honey]

Hi!

I just tried to do keiko with a really short shinai (about 37) that I made by cutting of a bit of one of my regular shinais. It was a very intresting experience and I am going to experiment a bit furter after the my next taikai when I have some time to just practice.

Have anyone of you guys treid anything similar? I'd really like to hear about it.

Why?
what is the point of using a shorter shinai?

[IloveKendo]

I use a 37, but that's because of my size.

[turboyoshi]

I use a 37, but that's because of my size.
Yes, but part of the difference is also that, IIRC, you're a female. At any rate, if you're of senior high school age or older, you need to learn to use a heavier shinai since a 37 isn't likely to meet the min weight requirements for competition.
For a guy, there's no point in using a 37 so why bother even practicing with it?
What are you trying to accomplish?

[jjcruiser]

I haven't but I've had keiko with two sensei who used 37s. I think the first guy's reasoning was to strengthen his waza from closer in and force himself to move more and be more committed. Thr second guy had to because his normal ones broke. He said it was interesting. Nothing more.

In the Book of Five Rings Musashi talks about adjusting maai to improve your distance judging. I don't suppose it's such a strange idea to do that with a few Cm-shorter Shinai.

[J.S]

I'm doing it as an experiment with mae and it is really interesting but very difficult. A shorter shinai is faster, even if it's the same weight and I can execute oji-waza at a closer distance. The hard part is how to strike men and how to adjust my kamae. But I have only tried it in 15 minutes of ji-geiko against juniors and thats why I want to try it again. And, as previously stated, it is interesting and I think there is some lessons to be learnt.

Is there anyone else who've tried it?

[Kendoka]

I'm doing it as an experiment with mae and it is really interesting but very difficult. A shorter shinai is faster, even if it's the same weight and I can execute oji-waza at a closer distance. The hard part is how to strike men and how to adjust my kamae. But I have only tried it in 15 minutes of ji-geiko against juniors and thats why I want to try it again. And, as previously stated, it is interesting and I think there is some lessons to be learnt.

Is there anyone else who've tried it?

Try it in keiko against your teacher, then let us know how you went and what his/her advice was.

[MiddleEarthNet]

I use a 38 ladies with the tsuka cut down to somewhere where between a 36 and 37. Anything longer in the tsuka isn't suitable for me but I'm in the process of considering a 39 with the tsuka cut down.

[jjcruiser]

Isn't a normal 38 going to meet minimum weight qualifications for adult-male in tournaments? If so, rather than cutting down a 39, why don't you just use a 38? I'm not sure I understand the shortening-tsuka-thing.

[J.S]

Yes, a male 38 shinai would meet the requirements but I decided cut an old shinai instead of ordering a 38 for to simple reasons.

1. I wanted to try it right away instead of ordering a new shinai and wait three weeks for it to be delivered.

2. I'm broke. Dead broke. O.o


Another reason for trying a shorter shinai was that I've been using 39 for over ten years just because everyone else uses one without acually making a choise. So I want to make a conscious choice by myself with a simple bit of empirical research. I realise that I'm probably only reinventing the wheel but still, its a lot of fun!

[Roberto]

Cutting it yourself from a 39 shinai might not work as if you get the regular 38 due balance/grip issues, but is a good option if you're out of money.

[turboyoshi]

Isn't a normal 38 going to meet minimum weight qualifications for adult-male in tournaments?

Not in my experience. A lot of times, even a standard 39 doesn't meet the min weight so I wouldn't have much confidence that a 38 will, unless I could weigh it before I buy it.