Now what?

[David J]

Ok, so I now have a new men and tare (too skint for new Do just yet....)

The question is - what should I do to "prepare" them - if anything? I remember someone mentioning the correct way to bend the men into shape....

If anyone would like to point me to a link that would be very cool, likewise one for how to treat new indigo hakama and gi.

Call me lazy....or just very jetlagged....;)

Thanks

Dave

[Ares2907]

For the men, not sure about websites et al, but the following may help. . .

for indigo gi and hakama:
wash in cold salt-water - you'll still be a smurf for a month or more, no way of avoiding that, but the majority of the dye will stay where it's supposed to.

As for the men, some people make a fold of about 45 degrees from eye level so that the side-flaps of your men don't sit flat on your shoulders. Aside from being (imho) a bit more stylish, it also stops the stitching underneath from wearing away as it rubs against your shoulders.

[Kendoka]

Originally posted by David J
If anyone would like to point me to a link that would be very cool, likewise one for how to treat new indigo hakama and gi.


Have a look at <http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=314> for washing and dye fixing advice or visit <http://www.kendo-usa.org/reference/hakama_wash.htm>

Richard