Ligh bogu

[Sôjirô]

do very ligh bogus exist, or are they too expencive, or are there rules against very light bogus?

[Flylkorean]

Yes.
Around 700$ at least.
No.

[Paikea]

What FlyKorean said, plus, you do not want it if you're a beginner. It's lighter because there's less of it - which for a beginner is a really bad thing. The learning experience will be more painful, especially learning not to expose your kote or learning how not to tilt your head down.

[Nameless]

You're probably better off getting a standard machine-made bogu and getting used to the weight. Most beginners complain about the lack of padding in the standard bogu.

[k3narki]

I wouldn't say all light bogu's would necessary mean less protection. For example, Chibabogu's Mine and Kanagawa A-1's provide alot of protection given their light weight.

[tantadi]

Some korean manufacturers say that their men weigh 2.9 kg, while Eikobudogu have a men that is suitable for most, that weighs 1.2 kg. (Which is about what my Moribudu 5mm men weighs). There is a huge difference between having 1,2 and 2.9 kg on your head. Personally I would steer clear of any training equipment whether it is bogu, running shoes or mtb bike, if it is heavyweight.

[Landorph]

WEll... I think heavier bogu is good for training...... buts up stamina..

good for everything.. not just kendo..

you would even walk faster.. run faster.. get tired less easier..

why u want a lighter one? one would get use to it and feel the same anyway

[JSchmidt]

Because it's more comfortable.

[Miravil]

And less chances in building stiff muscles.

[Nameless]

And less chances in building stiff muscles.

I wear a rather heavy bogu and have never had a problem with stiff muscles. Muscle stiffness is more likely an indication of bad posture and inadequate stretching, warm-up, and cool-down during practice. Seriously, for the amount you will spend on a special light weight bogu, you can buy a much higher quality standard bogu.

[Miravil]

I wear a rather heavy bogu and have never had a problem with stiff muscles. Muscle stiffness is more likely an indication of bad posture and inadequate stretching, warm-up, and cool-down during practice. Seriously, for the amount you will spend on a special light weight bogu, you can buy a much higher quality standard bogu.

I'm not sure does this differ from male and female kendoka. Once I switch men with one of the kendoka because her men is too heavy for her (she bought it 2nd hand from a male kendoka). I was thinking that if I can get used to it maybe we can swap men (due to my body mask larger than her). After only 2 hours of practice, my back aches whole night. Bad posture? Maybe. But shouldn't I get the same problem when I wear my own bogu?

[tantadi]

I agree with you Miravil. I also had a lot of neck pain with the heavy club bogu, which lessened with the new. Having a light weight on the head puts less strain on the neck/back than a heavy, since you have to stabilize less when you move. Chiba bogu offers a lot of synthetic option with their expensive bogu, it could be that customers are starting to ask for something lighter.

[Mutra]

I have just received a light weight bogu (Tadda jissen from eguchi) and had my first practice in it recently, now I have only the club armor to compare it to(which was noticeably heavier) but it was a lot more comfortable and less restrictive with my movements. My worries about protection from a light weight bogu were blown out the window as it was fine even after being motodachi for some of the newer student no pain nothing, the kote are also very light but same again no probs. I am very happy with it so far.

If your going for a light weight set get a good quality one from a reputable company, do some research on why and how they are light weight (the good ones keep the padding in the places you need it, ie the top of the men button and around the ears and the head of the kote and its button).
I can't stress how important good quality materials are also you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for good quality but you will get what you pay for, just do lots of resurch phone or email suppliers and find out where they get there products and who actuly makes the bogu then find out more about the company that makes it.
If in doubt ask you sensi or some senior students in your dojo there help will be invaluable to you as they have the experience.

Here are some that i found whilst looking:

http://www.eguchi.net/cart_EL5_Jisen.htm
http://www.eguchi.net/cart_pitch.htm
http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/
http://translate.google.com/translate?sourceid=navclient-menuext&hl=en&u=http%3A//www.kanagawahakkodo.co.jp/

I'm pretty sure Eguchi's "Pitch" bogu and chibabogu's "Mine" are the same set made by Mitsuboshi textiles in Japan. The bottom link is a Japanes site that sell Tadda Saygo bogu (again Japanese) they make the Tadda Jissen from Eguchi and the A-1 men which I here is very good. Both companies have a very good reputation.

Here's a link that someone posted here before that helped me a lot when it came to choosing bogu for myself.

http://www.trianglekendoiaido.org/bogue.pdf



Cheers.

[Nameless]

I'm not sure does this differ from male and female kendoka. Once I switch men with one of the kendoka because her men is too heavy for her (she bought it 2nd hand from a male kendoka). I was thinking that if I can get used to it maybe we can swap men (due to my body mask larger than her). After only 2 hours of practice, my back aches whole night. Bad posture? Maybe. But shouldn't I get the same problem when I wear my own bogu?


Not necessarily... You may have developed a habit of over-extending or leaning too far forward when you strike. You wouldn't notice with your lighter men because you are already used to the weight. When switching to a heavier men you notice more because the muscles in your lower back have to pull harder to keep the extra weight balanced. Stabilizing with more weight on your head isn't very hard if you keep your neck and back vertical over your hips, leading in with your hips when you strike rather than your face. Practicing this will not only reduce the strain on your lower back, but also enable you parry your opponents strikes more easily.

[Miravil]

Not necessarily... You may have developed a habit of over-extending or leaning too far forward when you strike. You wouldn't notice with your lighter men because you are already used to the weight. When switching to a heavier men you notice more because the muscles in your lower back have to pull harder to keep the extra weight balanced. Stabilizing with more weight on your head isn't very hard if you keep your neck and back vertical over your hips, leading in with your hips when you strike rather than your face. Practicing this will not only reduce the strain on your lower back, but also enable you parry your opponents strikes more easily.

Hmm... I get sensei and sempai correcting my cuts and footworks, but they have not been correcting my posture/back like others of late. Maybe I need a larger neck? Just joking. Will check my posture again just for reassurance.

[Nameless]

Hmm... I get sensei and sempai correcting my cuts and footworks, but they have not been correcting my posture/back like others of late. Maybe I need a larger neck? Just joking. Will check my posture again just for reassurance.


Didn't mean to sound like a know-it-all, but my sensei is very strict when it comes to posture.

[Miravil]

Didn't mean to sound like a know-it-all, but my sensei is very strict when it comes to posture.

It's alright, sometimes it is good to have someone to remind me something that I might forget. Cheers.