Tightness of the nakayuki.

[indigo0086]

I was wondering how tight the nakayuki is supposed to be? I have a new shinai it was supposed to be a cheap practice shinai but e-bogu ran out and gave me a 54 dollar shinai from their top line. I sanded and oiled it, put it back together and tied the tsuru tight but it kind of makes a creaking sound around the base (bulbous part) of the shinai when I swing and strike. I was thinking that maybe the nakayuki is a little tight causing the staves to be too close together. Is there supposed to be freedom of movement between the staves, or should it just pretty much be tightly bound?

[indigo0086]

well I went ahead and loosened the nakayuki a bit and it still makes the creaking sound as I swing it. Is it a problem at all, or is it normal? I just can't remember how my shinai sounded the first time I got it a few months ago, so I can't be sure as it doesn't creak now.

[Paikea]

The oil is what makes it creak (it doesn't hurt, but it sounds like hell). Use butcher's wax (light, non-smelly) on the surfaces that rub on each other and it should reduce the creaking significantly. If the nakayui is too tight, the staves will stay locked together after a hit (bottom one usually pushes up and sticks between the sides). They need room to move, but not too much. To keep the nakayui from moving around, tie a knot in the tsuru at the point where you want the nakayui to define your monouchi and then tie the nakayui around that knot.

Marsten-sensei has some good web pages showing this:
http://www.kendo-usa.org/reference/firststrike.htm

[Simon R]

I have a similar question regarding the nakayuki. Mine is extremely loose and I don't know how it got that way. One day I just picked it up and noticed that the slats were not very tight and I'm not sure how it happened. How do I tighten it again?

[Paikea]

Look at the link I just posted...it's very clear and nicely diagrammed.

[Kirin]

NAKAYUI ..... not nakayuki :redface:

[indigo0086]

oh, the creaking sound is what was worrying me. I'll try to get some of that wax. I did oil my older shinai (which I will no longer use because of a crack going through one of the staves.) and it doesn't make that sound, but I guess it's because I didn't soak it in oil for a few hours like I didd with the newer one. BTW, it's this brand shinai which was upgraded for free.

http://www.e-bogu.com/HYOEI_Complete_for_men_Size_39_p/hay-ken-shi-hyoeicomp--39.htm

hyoei. It does feel a bit lighter when holding it in kamae, but the tsuka is less abrisive on my hands, as it is a lighter foamy type of leather.

[T.Lee]

ive found my hyoei shinai very creaky before and after oiling/sanding it. i dont think ill ever buy another one.

[Michael_St_A]

I have a similar question regarding the nakayuki. Mine is extremely loose and I don't know how it got that way. One day I just picked it up and noticed that the slats were not very tight and I'm not sure how it happened. How do I tighten it again?

Another diagram

http://www.kendo.org.uk/clubs/edinburghkendo/manual.html

As to how could this happen: the nakayui is made from leather and leather stretches.

[Andou]

I have a similar question regarding the nakayuki. Mine is extremely loose and I don't know how it got that way. One day I just picked it up and noticed that the slats were not very tight and I'm not sure how it happened. How do I tighten it again?

I think it also may have to do with the surroundings that it is in...I may be wrong though. It's possible for the leather or actual bamboo to change in size if the shinai is not in ideal conditions. I may be wrong. Hope that helps.

[AkuSokuZan]

to tighten it again is just to re tie it. There are a couple of sites that can tell you how. Here's one of them:

http://www.vancouverkendoclub.com/page/05/equipment.html