Armour design?

[Commander]

Hi all,

I've finally decided to go for E-kendo's 3mm armour but...
I am unsure as to what design to go for. I would like unique armour with coloured do etc (i have decided i like the cloud design) but i cant choose between all those choices of Do's and embroidery.

Would anyone like to lend me a helping hand on what scheme's to go for?

Thanks :)

[Gary Severyn]

One of the primary things you might want to stop and consider (and I convey this... only in the event that you haven't... providing of course that my thoughts of consideration in this regard are even pertinent :smiley: )... is what all the other people (women specifically... since I'm guessing at this point that you are a female) at your dojo are wearing?

Here's the thing: As you might have already surmised, most people around the world that practice kendo, wear/purchase the standard 'black' do. Since you're living and practicing kendo in Scotland... I can only surmise that things (from a kendo bogu 'stylish' standpoint) are possibly different there. Perhaps the bottom line is: "What do you believe you will be most comfortable wearing... from a style standpoint."

I recently experienced the exact same dillema as you. Before even enrolling in kendo, I purchased all my bogu, hakima and keiko-gi from South Korea. Why? Because I was living there for a year, and prior to returning to the United States I decided that I was adament about pursuing kendo... and with that knowledge and goal, I learned that kendo equipment in large, was markedly less expensive in Korea than purchasing it once I returned to the United States. Also, the U.S. dollar to Korean wan money exchange rate was very good at the time.

Anyway, I decided to purchase the very best bogu that I could afford (because... that's pretty-much the way that I am; the manner in which I go about things... which most people would not readily subscribe to, but then again... I am older :laugh: ) To "cut to the chase" here, when I first placed my order for bogu and the do... I picked out what I felt was a tasteful 'burnt orange' color for the do... which graduated to a black color around the edges. Well, after placing my order with the Korean kendo (or "Kumdo" as they refer to it in Korea) shop, I continued to do a lot of Internet web surfing... and discovered that most every place I went to on the web; every kendo dojo site that I visited, all the pictures posted on the websites indicated that everyone wore black colored dos. So, not personally being one desiring to "stand out" in a crowd or draw attention to myself, I immediately contacted the store which I had placed my order with... and had them change the color of my do to black. In all honesty, I am very glad that I did. But that is me and my own situation.

After returning to the United States and beginning kendo now for the last five months.... and seeing first hand what all my fellow kendoki are wearing for bogu (although I have not yet been allowed to put on and wear my own; to participate in sparring... that will come in January), I still have small reservations concerning what I bought in Korea because both my men and do... have some rather "artsy" stitching... though tasteful and not flamboyant... are still nonetheless somewhat different than what everyone else is wearing. But again, this is purely my own experience and personal feelings on the topic :wink: .

With what I'm perceiving to be an upcoming trend in bogu (specifically with the do) colors and design, I should think more and more people practicing kendo will gravitate toward 'personal expression' with the bogu designs they purchase. But as for the United States and what I have seen (both at my own dojo, and after attending two taiki tournaments as a spectator), everyone wears the black colored do, excluding women and children that generally wear the orange-red do (if not wearing the black).

Personally, I think the do color you've selected (the blue/gray cloud design, as depicted at the E-kendo website) is really gorgeous and tastefully done. I would recommend the following available stitching designs, as reflected at the E-kendo website: m16 or m23 (which have not additional associated cost), or m10 or m8. Lastly, I think the sm22 option is absolutely beautiful and would contrast your cloud design do wonderfully, although it is the most expensive (coming in at an additional $70).

I hope I haven't shot down your feelings or hopes regarding the bogu you wish to purchase, via my comments. As I said, I've no idea what the norm is for kendo practioners in Scotland... and I'm not necessarily preaching "conformity" to you, although I readily admit I'm sure it sounds like I am. Again, as with most anything.... I believe you should go with what you feel 'most comfortable' with!

[Lloromannic]

Are you getting the normal 3mm bogu or the deluxe version?
Not all mune designs are available to both sets.
I really like the M28 but it only appears on the deluxe set. I think it's tasteful and elegant. But perhaps a bit too dark to go with the light blue/gray Do.
Otherwise th M8 is also very nice.

[Commander]

Yes it is available i quite like M11 and M12 with maybe a purple do?

I wonder if red would be too bright?

In our 2 clubs in scotland most kendoka have coloured dos :)

[Hai_hai]

Hi all,

I've finally decided to go for E-kendo's 3mm armour but...
I am unsure as to what design to go for. I would like unique armour with coloured do etc (i have decided i like the cloud design) but i cant choose between all those choices of Do's and embroidery.

Would anyone like to lend me a helping hand on what scheme's to go for?

Thanks :)
The selection of embroidery mune and ago can take days, if not weeks... if not months for the typical rich-boy show-off. For the non-rich-boy show-off, you get what you can afford. Beggars can't be chosers.
After you select an embroidery that you are comfortable with, print out a drawing. Below the picture, write the words "Embroidery selection is not important you idiot." and put the print out in a box. After two years, open the box and take out the drawing and read the words. At this point, whether you are still doing kendo or not, you will understand the reason behind the words.

[Commander]

The reason i am considering getting a coloured do is because e-kendo dont charge extra for it, so i was thinking of taking advantage of it.

Afterall i can see myself practicing kendo for a while :)

So no embroidery then? :P

[Lloromannic]

My brother will probably get his bogu at e-kendo as he still has some 8 years of growing left. I will get half-RBSO men and kote (Mine men (http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=32) and kote (http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=32)) and e-kendo Do and Tare. I think I will go for an M28 mune stitching and either DO16 or DO19 do colour.


Yes it is available i quite like M11 and M12 with maybe a purple do?

I wonder if red would be too bright?
I don't like purple Do but It's your bogu and money. One of the sensei here has a red Do, it's a pretty dark cherry red and looks really nice.

[2 TEK]

Do what you whant. I see no problem with having a colourd do[wood grain my self] If your sensai has no problem with it then do what makes you feal happy. There are a lot of people on here who talk aload of crap on this subject [hai hai]. The colour of your do has nothing to do with your training and will not hinder you in any way but will probally look very nice, hope this helps:wink:

[Commander]

What do you think is a nice colour that will match with the armour?


Thanks :)