bogu

[shinjinho]

hi ive been doin kendo for about a month now, and my sensei says that i'll be ready to wear bogu in a week... my question is should i buy the bogu in advance, or wait for my sensei to tell me what to get..? also... does anyone know where i buy cool tengui?

thanks in advance

[Bleda]

Wait till you try it, he might have club bogu to lend you, or a deal he can get you on bogu. As for tenegui i am particularly fond of the ones at eguchi

[Masahiro]

take this time and do some research, ask around, take a look at other people's bogu if you get the chance and distinguish what you like from what you don't like. .. ... I did a 5 monthes research before I purchased my first bogu. And it was worth it. Good luck,

[moetl]

hi masahiro,

could you tell us (or me, if no one else is interested ^^) what the course of your research was? from which company did you want to buy at first, what (if anything) had changed your decision, and which bogu did you buy in the end? what did you consider?

currently i am also researching, but i won't buy a bogu before the next half year, because i would like to wait for the advise of the sensei before buying - so still plenty much time for research :)

[Masahiro]

hi masahiro,

could you tell us (or me, if no one else is interested ^^) what the course of your research was? from which company did you want to buy at first, what (if anything) had changed your decision, and which bogu did you buy in the end? what did you consider?

currently i am also researching, but i won't buy a bogu before the next half year, because i would like to wait for the advise of the sensei before buying - so still plenty much time for research :)

"To ask is but a moment of shame, but to not ask results in a life time of ignorance". .. ...Yes, I should very much like to share with you my experience. I am flattered to be able to contribute to your journey of kendo in the smallest degree.


When I first started studying kendo, I immediately noticed the importance of a well constructed bogu. After havnig practiced in a 5/6 mm machine stiched set from our club for 8 monthes; I was slowly able to distinguish what is good for protection along with some of my personal preference in the type of bogu I wanted. Five monthes ago, I started reasearching online. I started browsing this very forum's "bogu" section to read about other people's comments on who they bought from and how they rated the vendors they purchased from. And from their reference along with my hours of comparing different online vendors I narrowed my choice down to 2 companies ~E-bogu and bogubag. I would be lying if I said I didn't have a budget I was to accomodate when I considered which vendor and which set I was to purchase. But when safty and long term practicality were my factored in the priority equation, cost became my last concern. At the time, I was interested in acquiring the "1.0 bu master quality handmade set from E-bogu or the 1.5 bu Kohsho from bogubag.com. They both looked very sharp and durable to me. But I kept telling myself to wait a little longer and explore other alternative solutions. Soon enough I came across the official site of All Japan budogu Association. After reading about the difference between a "traditionally" made bogu and a "commercial" made bogu which are very common nowadays. I felt very ambivalent. I was so new to kendo and I didn't want to let my naiveness get to the best of me, so I wrote the All Japan budogu Association seeking their advice with regards to whom I should buy from. Their suggestion was Moribudo of Tokyo. As I understand the Tokyo police buys from them, so does many high schools and colleges in Japan. That's gotta tell you something about their quality and service. I began to browse Moribudo's site and started exchanging e-mails with Mr. Mori himself. Also seeking his advice on what I should do. He was very kind to have sent me a catalogue so quickly, and with his patience and help and the visuals provided by the catalogue. I soon found myself finalizing the details on a M-15 set from Moribudo. I chose Moribudo because of their exceptional reputation, my conversations over the e-mail with Mr. Mori himeself, and because they will go lengthes to satisfy their customers. But to add some justice to the reputation of bogubag and e-bogu, I know they are both very reputable vendors. And I would trust them with my money as I still do buy certain goods from both companies. Hope this helps you in the least.

[moetl]

hi masahiro,
first of all, thank you for your detailed story.


... Soon enough I came across the official site of All Japan budogu Association. After reading about the difference between a "traditionally" made bogu and a "commercial" made bogu which are very common nowadays. I felt very ambivalent...can you provide a link to this website, if there is an english version too? i'm really interested is such details, i am eager to know as much as possible :)

sad enough, i don't know anything about bogu except the shallow details about stiching, which are not the wisdom's last conclusion (faust translated freely ^^)

[streetcleaner]

Masahiro
yeah, this is very good post, thanks. and what site do you mean "All Japan budogu Association"?
by the way - eguchi is a member of this assotiation. i think koei is too

[shinjinho]

thanks for the help ppl.... my sensei says he's gonna order the stuff for me... btw ive been wondering, what difference is there between 1mm stitching and 2mm stitching, and etc??

thanks

[Taek]

Well, I think some of the forum members will get mad..haha..I guess this is one of the most frequently asked question in this section. So before some one tells you off badly, you better try to do some research previous bogu buying questions. There are tones of information regarding bogu in this forum.

Here is one I found for you-

The numbers you mention refer to how closely spaced the stitching is. The closer the better, the more it protects and the longer it lasts.

Other things you want to look for are materials. Example: Palms of kote can be made of deer leather, cow leather, or some kind of synthetic. If a vendor doesn't tell you what something's made of, be suspicious.

You might also download this for future reference.

http://www6.big.or.jp/~budogu/manu/topm.html

Good luck with your new bogu

[Hai_hai]

You don't name your thread the same name as the topic. That makes no sense.

Cool tenegui are for cool kendoka... like me.

Ask your sensei when to buy bogu. It's not that difficult. Why do people find it necessary to ask people on this board when the person who can best answer it is right there in front of you.
CHICKENS... ALL OF YOU!

[shinjinho]

are you my daddy hai hai? i love you

[Masahiro]

Dear moetl,

Regretably, I was unable to retrieve the "All Japan Kendo bogu Association" webpage from online search engine. Since I recently switched to a different internet provider, all the websites under my "favoriates" folder has been deleted. I am very sorry. Perhaps some other member in this forum can provide you with the link to their official website. If there's anything else I can help you with please let me know.


Dear streetcleaner,

Yes, you are right. Koei is a member of the Association. However, I am not entirely sure if Eguchi is a member of the Association. I believe Eguchi merely re-sells bogus made by other bogu manufacturers. It has only been 6 monthes since Eguchi introduced their own line of hakama/keikogi and kendogu. So while their "Custom 1.2 bu Tezashi Complete set" and "Mitsuboshi Pitch Special Bogu" set maybe composed by manufacturers that belong to the All Japan kendo bogu Association I am not exactly sure if Eguchi itself belongs to the Association. I could be wrong. But I don't recall Eguchi as one of the websites listed under the members of the Association webpage. Nevertheless, Eguchi is a tremendously reputable vendor whom I trust. As I still do purchase many items from them and have never found the need to voice a complaint. thank you for your kind replies. Good luck with your journey.


yours sincerely,

Masahiro

[moetl]

indeed, i have another question. if anyone would bother to answer it, i would be glad :)

under with conditions may a bogu manufacturer join the All Japan budogu Association? or in other words: what does the membership tell the buyer about the bogu sold? are there any special guidelines the manufacturer has to follow?

thanks!

[Karaken]

indeed, i have another question. if anyone would bother to answer it, i would be glad :)

under with conditions may a bogu manufacturer join the All Japan budogu Association? or in other words: what does the membership tell the buyer about the bogu sold? are there any special guidelines the manufacturer has to follow?

thanks!

Is this the website you guys are looking for?

http://windows.gr.jp/kendougu/eindex.html

Center

[streetcleaner]

Karaken
good shot! thank you!

[-fu-]

The numbers you mention refer to how closely spaced the stitching is. The closer the better, the more it protects and the longer it lasts.

Hi,
I understand what you mean, but what should i choose between a Korean 2mm (from e-kendo) and a Japanese 5mm from Moribudo ??
The Moribudo bogu is more expensive.
Following what you say, should the e-kendo bogu be besser ??

(I start Kendo for some month and want this bogu to bring me to the shodan)

[Masahiro]

There has been numerous threads with regards to topic such as this one, if you were to search the forum for information. You will find it to be a great help to your situation.

[-fu-]

Hi,

Yes i know. I red a lot of them, and this forum is THE great source of information for newbis like me (after the dojo of course). I think it is the best place to become a small chance to buy a decent bogu. Go one !
About Bogu choice i found all what i needed (and almost all what i know now) until this question: (this one come from what i learn here)
Is a 2mm Korean bether than a 5mm Japanese ? In the same order of price (+- 100 $)
I would buy the Japanese one ... (trust of a old japanese bogu house instead of a korean e-supermarket place and proud to own japanese stuff). But do i do something wrong when i could buy 2mm instead of 5mm ??? I was just humble asking about your "know-how".

nevertheless I will make other research. :D..
Thank you

[-fu-]

Well,

Masahiro, you was rigth. :old_man:
I read again some thread, and i think i will read some other again.:devious:
I already think that i find the answer ... thanks

[streetcleaner]

Masahiro

are you purchase this mori budo-gu m-15 set? i'm also thinking of buying mori budo-gu bogu, so you opinion will be very welcome.

[Masahiro]

Dear streetcleaner,

Yes, I do own a M-15 set from Moribudo. I would be happy to assit you if you can let me know what type of "opinion" you are seeking from me. Do you want the over view of my impression on the bogu? or do you want to know whether I am satisfied with the quality of the goods for the amount of money I paid?

[DCPan]

Yes, I do own a M-15 set from Moribudo. I would be happy to assit you if you can let me know what type of "opinion" you are seeking from me.

Hi Masahiro,

Being in Japan, you'd probably have an easy time comparing bogu quality.

Do you know anyone who wears the Mitsuboshi "Mine" bogu?

Do you know anyone who wears the A-1 Tokuren Men from Kanagawa Hakkoudo?

Please give me an e-mail!

Thanks!

dcpan2000@yahoo.com

[streetcleaner]

Masahiro

'yes' to all you question :)
i'm thinking of buying mc-75 set or koei s-22 set, so i'll be very thankfull if you tell me more about you set.
- why you bought m-15 set, not mc-75? based on you conversation with mr. Mori? can you tell me please more about this conversation?
- haw much you pay?
- whats the overall impression of quality of bogu? (but you bought hand-made bogu, so the quality will be superior i think)
- dont you see anybody in mc-75 bogu? whats their impression?
- dont you see koei s-22 set? how do you compare it with mori budo bogu?

you know, here in my country there's not much quality bogu, so i cant decide myself by looking at them and used to research in web. hope you'll answer ;)

[Masahiro]

Dear streetcleaner,


Please contact me via e-mail through viewing my profile. .. I am afraid my answers will be rather long. And some of the answers involve more tender attention. I'll be looking forward to hear from you.

[streetcleaner]

Masahiro

thanks, but you e-mail is locked (Sorry! That user has specified that they do not wish to receive emails.) and private message are disabled :( how i can contact with you? maybe you send me private message with you e-mail and i wrote to you? (i just don't want to post e-mail here because of spam)

[Masahiro]

Dear Streetcleaner,

if you click on my name and view my public profile, even though the link does not enable you to send me e-mails directly, you will find that underneath there is my e-mail address. Please forward your questions to me in the e-mail. If you are still having trouble please let me know.

[streetcleaner]

Dear Masahiro
don't you receive e-mail from me? i send it to txuxfxaxcxe@hotmail.com

[Masahiro]

Dear streetcleaner,

hmm, that's very weird. I didn't receive any e-mails from you. I am guessing maybe my junk mail filter blocked your e-mail address. In anyways, I will turn off my filter for these couple of days. Please do send it to me again. Thank you very much. And I apologize for your inconvenience.

[shinjinho]

MauhAHHAHa!! I finally got my BOGU yesterday!!! yay im so happy. I knew it would be so much harder, but still i got sooo exausted. I guess my sensei made me push my limits because it was my first time in bogu and he wanted me to get used to it fast. Wow. haha. Well yea. i got my bogu from kendoshop.com and the stuff is pretty good. One question though... when someone hits kote, is it supposed to hurt ? cause it does for me. haha! thanks people

[not-I]

MauhAHHAHa!! I finally got my BOGU yesterday!!! yay im so happy. [...] Wow. haha. [...] haha! thanks people
Great news, Shinjinho! Nice to hear you took to it like a duck in water. I'm very happy for you! :smiley:

About the kote: a.) You probably have the right hand position wrong - it's easy to get confused when you suddenly can't see your wrist. Do a search for "kote" - there was a thread on this recently. b.) If you're wearing borrowed dojo armor or cheap kote, which both tend to be rather soft, you'll want to look into an additional kote protector, which are relatively inexpensive.

[shinjinho]

thanks.. and for my kote problem... i got a wrist band, but im not too sure if my dojo will allow that (its just an average sweat band for tennis and stuff) Well... thanks a lot for you guys caring.... but one problem: i dont get the duck in the water thing.... may be you can explain it? lol i know i probably seem stupid.

[moetl]

but one problem: i dont get the duck in the water thing.... may be you can explain it?not-i assumed that you enjoy to be in bogu, like the duck enjoys to be in water... correct me, if i'm wrong >_>

[not-I]

not-i assumed that you enjoy to be in bogu, like the duck enjoys to be in water... correct me, if i'm wrong >_>
yep, that's more or less what i meant. to take to something like a duck to water is an idiom that means to adapt to it very readily and naturally - it's positive. duck soup would be an easy task, say performing men-uchi on a practice dummy. but if your sensei's advice to you was like water off a duck's back, now that would be bad :wink:

[shinjinho]

ooh ok thanks. yea i really love being in bogu... except the smell lol.