Bamboo Do?

[lanbird]

Dear All:

I am buying 60pcs Bamboo Do, but where I am living (Taipei, Taiwan) is very humid (wet climate). I am afraid it may get rotten under the climate.

Why I say so, I got a gift Shinai from a Friend from Korea. I applied the sewing oil on it, but after few days of raining, the Shinai's got molded and shrunk. Yet the other 2 (better) I bought locally (Taiwan) didn't get change nor mold.

I assume that the climate may affect poor quality bamboo. And as Bamboo Do is quite expensive, I don't want it to get rotten. Or any way to maintain the do?

What will you guys suggest?

Lanbird

[nikolaj]

well, if I were you, I wouldn't take the chance...
Why do you want a bamboo do anyways?

[Yaiba]

Hmmm... well, I would imagine that all bamboo Doh's (especially more expensive 60pcs) should be able to withstand such conditions and last a reasonably long time. I mean, Japan has a long rainy season each year too and it gets quite damp there but...

I don't know... probably the best idea would be to go to the bogu company you'll be dealing with and tell them your concerns first. Ask for their opinion. If they can't guarantee that their bamboo Doh won't "rot" then the safer option, in my opinion, would be to go for a Fibre or Yamato Doh instead.

[joekc6nlx]

since the do is next to your body while you're in keiko, it naturally gets some moisture from your sweat. If you wipe it down after you take it off, and keep it in a dry area, or fill the space inside the curve of the doh with crumpled newspaper, that will help absorb excess moisture if you store it in your bogu bag.

(As to why you would want a bamboo do, that is a personal choice, and I would never question your choice. I think that you'd be more satisfied with whatever choice you make if you weren't criticized for making that choice.)

[shred_lord]

(As to why you would want a bamboo do, that is a personal choice, and I would never question your choice. I think that you'd be more satisfied with whatever choice you make if you weren't criticized for making that choice.)

Well said!

[nikolaj]

(As to why you would want a bamboo do, that is a personal choice, and I would never question your choice. I think that you'd be more satisfied with whatever choice you make if you weren't criticized for making that choice.)

-_-
I'm not questioning anything, I'm just asking what the hell is the difference?
Conscidering the amount you're paying extra, is it so unreasonable to ask what the difference is?

[joekc6nlx]

-_-
I'm not questioning anything, I'm just asking what the hell is the difference?
Conscidering the amount you're paying extra, is it so unreasonable to ask what the difference is?

No, it isn't unreasonable to ask the difference, but the original wording of your question was, shall we say, not the most tactful way of putting it. You may not have meant it that way, but perception is in the mind of the reader, not the writer.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Bamboo doh offer better protection than any of the cheaper alternatives. Also, if you want a really nice looking doh the better craftsmanship is only available with the bamboo construction. Lastly if you need a really big doh, you have to buy bamboo.

Having said all that, for most people buying their first set bamboo is unnecessary. If you have extra money to burn, put it into the men and kote.

[nikolaj]

Bamboo doh offer better protection than any of the cheaper alternatives. Also, if you want a really nice looking doh the better craftsmanship is only available with the bamboo construction. Lastly if you need a really big doh, you have to buy bamboo.

Thank you, that's all i asked for...
yet again, no offense intended, and still I don't see what was so offensive about my post.

[lanbird]

Thank you all:


Much thanks. You guys are so helpful. I will ask the Bogu Vender too for my concern.

I am not that rich, but just want to have something nice and Authentic. :) Well, I am not a good Kendoka yet, so if I can't beat my opponent with my Shinai, I want to beat them with my Bogu, joking only. Don't take it personal.

Last, what is Yamato Do, what does is made of? What is the difference between Bamboo Do?

[kanyil]

Last, what is Yamato Do, what does is made of? What is the difference between Bamboo Do?

Hi Lanbird. Quite an interesting nickname you've picked ;)

Yamato Do is basically fiber/pastic doh that is moulded to look like bamboo when viewed from the inside. It's slightly heavier than a normal fiber doh, but lighter than a bamboo doh.

The thing with bamboo dohs is that it's a living thing. Bamboos may be susceptible to changes in weather/humidity/temperature. With that being said, however, the local bamboos tend to stand up to local weather better than foreign bamboos (i.e. matake, etc), hence your issue with Korean shinai.

In the end, it really depends on what you want. Like what Neil-sensei said, I spent more on the men and kote, and the least on the doh. With the exception of very few senseis (whose hits seemed able to "penetrate" the doh), a direct hit to the doh will generally be absorbed by the doh and be less likely to hurt than say, kote or men.

You should talk to Mr. Cheng of Musha boguya if you are in Taiwan. He'll sort you out.

[lanbird]

Dear Kanyil:

Thank you for the comment. About my nickname, you shall know well if you are Taiwanese... :)

I have booked the Bamboo Do and Titanium Men of 1.2mu whole set at "Wu Tser" in "BanChiao".

So which Dojo are you with?

[kanyil]

Dear Kanyil:

Thank you for the comment. About my nickname, you shall know well if you are Taiwanese... :)

I have booked the Bamboo Do and Titanium Men of 1.2mu whole set at "Wu Tser" in "BanChiao".

So which Dojo are you with?

Indeed. A very useful term that Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs has also used in the past I believe. :wink:

Wu Tser in BanChiao is the same shop as Musha, just different pronunciations. Mr. Cheng is such a great guy.

I am with the Songshan Dojo, but also trains with Chungshan Dojo, and the National Taipei University of Technology Kendo Club on a regular basis.

Which dojo do you go to?

[lanbird]

Really, I am in ShanSun Dojo too. Sunday and Friday.

But a beginner with Sensei Roe on Sunday. :)

[kanyil]

ShanSun Dojo? do you mean SungShan dojo?

If so then welcome and what a coincidence! Most Taiwanese-Taiwanese kendokas do not frequent this forum.

I've been ditching the Sunday practice for 3 weeks in a row due to some, ahem, business in Australia. I am also going to ditch next Friday and Sunday's practice because I'm going to Bangkok on business.

However, I'll definitely see you at the Sunday dojo when I get back. Look for a young-ish guy with a zekken that says health and determination in Chinese, likely worn by someone who's getting his head bashed-in by either Wu-sensei or Chang-sensei. :D

When will you get your bogu? How long have you been with us?

[lanbird]

Sorry, and yes I meant SungShan.

I assume that I know who you are, you are the one with energy and from Australia. Sorry, I forgot your last name. But you were away a couple of times during Chinese New Year for "proposal". In fact, I got the Mr. Cheng's contact information from you once.

Anyhow, I am Polo. Nice to meet you. I am only practicing about 6 months. No way to combat with you at the moment, hope someday.

[kanyil]

Hi Polo,

Great to meet you. Yep, that's me. Grab me for a keiko next time so I know who you are. :D

The whole "proposal" thing is so time consuming and tedious. It has to satisfy both sets of parents AND the girl...sigh...

Enjoy, things *really* change when you get into bogu. Have fun! :wink:

[lanbird]

Good luck to you proposal. Been there.

[Hai_hai]

Dear All:

I am buying 60pcs Bamboo Do, but where I am living (Taipei, Taiwan) is very humid (wet climate). I am afraid it may get rotten under the climate.

Why I say so, I got a gift Shinai from a Friend from Korea. I applied the sewing oil on it, but after few days of raining, the Shinai's got molded and shrunk. Yet the other 2 (better) I bought locally (Taiwan) didn't get change nor mold.

I assume that the climate may affect poor quality bamboo. And as Bamboo Do is quite expensive, I don't want it to get rotten. Or any way to maintain the do?

What will you guys suggest?

Lanbird
Bamboo do has a lacquer coating on the inside. Most have a leather covering on the outside which is also lacquered. It will not rot if you take care of it, i.e. wipe off sweat, store in open room.

[Mamma Mia]

Hi Polo,

Great to meet you. Yep, that's me. Grab me for a keiko next time so I know who you are. :D

The whole "proposal" thing is so time consuming and tedious. It has to satisfy both sets of parents AND the girl...sigh...

Enjoy, things *really* change when you get into bogu. Have fun! :wink:

Things really really really change after you got married...
Husband: "Honey, can I go for an extra practice this week?"
Wife:"Mummmmm...."

[kanyil]

Are there any pre-nuptial training programs that you can put the missus through to lessen the effect?

I think so far she's happy with me going to Kendo, because if I don't get enough Kendo I have a tendency to unconsciously fumikomi around the house and kiai at the TV (at the Taiwanese political talk shows, mostly). :D

[Andoru]

Heh it's interesting how people are worried about too much moisture. When I first got my bamboo doh I was more worried about low humidity!

Bamboo doh protects really well by the way.

[Catherine]

Hehehe I got married recently. My husband loves it when I go to training - he says I am much happier when I train! I was one cranky girl when I took time off before the wedding!

I am v lucky because he airs my bogu if I forget. I think that is mainly because it would really really stink out the house if it wasn't aired.

But man, how lucky am I?

Catherine

[henrique_m]

Hello,

I'm trying to get in touch with a shop called OSAKURA, they are from Taipei, I had their email, but it seems not to be working anymore. Can you help?

thanks,
henrique