The Future of Bōgu (Kendōgu)
To conclude this article, I would like to tie up the history outlined so far with some thoughts on the future of bōgu (kendō-gu). The third wave of bōgu history has begun with the official name changes starting from dōgu→bōgu→kendōgu. This new age of bōgu is represented by the invention of carbon-graphite shinai, and wide-view Perspex men, all of which changed the conventional image of bōgu. I suspect that the next things that will change will be the himo (cords) for the men and dō. Even Japanese people are now forgetting how to tie up their men and dō properly, which may be hindering the propagation of kendo. I forecast that men will be developed utilizing Velcro fastenings, and dō will probably follow suit with some similar material.
Likewise, the traditional craftwork of the bōgu makers will fall into obscurity as the production process becomes simplified. Currently there is a debate raging in Japan as to the point of going down into sonkyo before starting or finishing matches when the two kendōka also demonstrate mutual respect in the form of a standing bow. Are both forms of courtesy actually necessary? This trend of debating the rationality of certain traditions in kendo will more than likely result in the scrapping of those that are judged to be meaningless. Even if an action such as sonkyo does have a meaning, this is undermined by the question of whether it is actually necessary in shiai. Making ‘victory poses’ or gestures of joy by throwing the hands up in the air after winning a shiai is still very much frowned upon in kendo. This is something that we see a lot of in judo or sumo, but for some reason it is unforgivable in kendo circles. We have to clarify why exactly it is unforgivable or else it will erupt into a point of debate sometime in the future.
Whatever the case, the issue of maintaining a careful balance between ‘popularisation’ and ‘tradition’ is something the kendo world must take very seriously from now on.
Translated from the original Japanese by Alex Bennett. Kendo World would like to acknowledge Professor Nakamura and Kendo Jidai Magazine (where the original was first published) for kindly allowing us to use this article. All rights for this article remain the property of the author, Nakamura Tamio.
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