Aficianado!

[KhawMengLee]

I gotta say some of the bogu produced today are works of bloody art, but do people actually wear these?

For example check out the same dou on this site:
http://www.kendo-sanbu.com/

I especially like the bogu on the right with the gold embroidery:
http://www.kendo-sanbu.com/works/works1.htm

Absolutely beautiful but do people actually wear bogu like this in Japan?
Its a dilemma, take guitars like the PRS Dragons (http://www.bcpl.net/~frankhs/departments/art/studentsites/gshop/dragon.html) beautiful guitar to play but would cost some lucky punter about 10,000poundsterling. Here's the dilemma, the bogu, like the guitar, is excellent to use but is at the same time a work of art, so what do you do, eh? use it or not?
:confused:

[Neil Gendzwill]

Both of those are a little flashy for my tastes. I really like the one shown here: http://www.kendo-sask.com/nicedo.jpg

Most people who have a fancy doh don't wear it all the time, they have a plain one for everyday practice and bring out the nice one for tournaments, seminars and gradings.

Personally I can't afford more than one set of bogu but whatever floats your boat.

[Neil Gendzwill]

A friend of mine here builds these: http://www.dingwallguitars.com/html/products_prima.html

If you're into gorgeous guitars.

[Karaken]

Actually, it's not too expensive compared to some in Tozando..:-)
Neil, I like your taste..That's not same do..What is it called?

Center-men-center

[Neil Gendzwill]

I forget the name of the finish - something-shime I believe. It's a pebbled finish. I also like tamenuri, the deep red with subtle shading differences. For flash, I prefer cherry to same.

[KhawMengLee]

Nice dou Neil...I like how the kamon rises up and has more texture...I love little details like this:D

The dark blue bogu with the gold lining has this weird finish on the dou which make it look like its covered in a blue velvet...sigh...when I make my millions....one day

[KhawMengLee]

ps. nice bass designs. I like the grain on the wood's finish:)

[kendomushi]

Yes people here in Japan really wear armor like this all the time. I have one sensei who wears shark skin every time I have seen him. I always tease that if he wakes up one day with a bump on his head and the bogu missing I had nothing to do with it. He gave me a shark skin tsuba as a present when I made my 3-dan. I have another sensei who most often wears the 500,000 YEN bogu he bought last year. He had 4 or 5 different sets, but he wears theat one most.
Kendo-gu are not like true fighting armor or yoroi, they are meant to be worn. The sensei with the shark skin even does his own repairs and treats the do like a beloved comrade in arms.

[Tako-kun]

A bit too flashy, perhaps, but a spectacular piece of art all the same link (http://www.genbudo.com/STORE_Folder/KENDO_Folder/or-tesasi_Folder/b-171-v.html)

Mike Geen

[Tako-kun]

... and only 900,000 yen, such a deal... :p

[emitbrownne]

http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/images/do_bp.jpg

My bogu is kinda flashy but still kinda tasteful...Well I like it anyway.

The wood effect is slightly darker than that on the gif, and the stichting is a dark red and green... sounds Yuck... looks good :)

It is the only bogu I have and hopefully it will last for quite a while yet.

[Sinta]

Neil, that's one gorgeous Do :) Sorry, but the most seemed a bit too flashy for my taste. But that one has character (how can a do have character??? don't mind me). When I strike it rich and can actually bring up a good fight in kendo, i'll get something like that... (*gotta wait a long time* j/k ) :)

[munenmuso]

Yeah, you can wear those expensive bogu sets. But you have to charge them also for a dollar per scratch and if it seems too expensive for them to hit you, hit back with all the pleasures.:D


BTW, isn't that my dream doh?

[Keith Hong]

Remember me? I e-mailed you some time ago after reading your FAQ to ask about my do.
Your post are always very informative and a pleasure to read.

The finish is called kuroishime("black-stone...").

My preference is just plain black.
There are two kinds, though.
"Plain black polished" or "ultra high quality black lacquer(kuroiro)"
My present do is one of the former. The scratches and marks from practice add a kind of used good looks to it(like breaking in a pair of jeans).
My dream do would be one of the the latter with my last name custom-embroidered on the mune. And another one identical to it as a gift to my brother.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Originally posted by kendomushi
I have another sensei who most often wears the 500,000 YEN bogu he bought last year.
500,000 is low-mid range Japanese hand stitched at full catalog price, you can often get better deals. The set shown here: http://www.bogubag.com/Bogu/Hand_Made/hirotsugu_L.jpg
is 1.4 million in the 1.2 bu version. Robert's got it listed at $US6900. Of course, that's before any options. Adding same finish to that is 300-500 Kyen depending on market and quality.

[Nico]

I remember 3 months ago when i choose my bogu on ninecircles... Blue ou red dark do looks to be very beautiful . Reply of my sensei : beautiful Yves St Laurent do ....

:p

See yu

Nico

PS: i ve got a beautiful black do, color should be for long long time after i think so