Good looking shinai tsuba!

[KenshiNewbie]

I would like to find some good looking shinai tsuba online if anyone has any web links...
I have that very standard yellow one that comes with the shinai! One of the kids at the club has a very good looking Dragonfly tsuba, Dark blue and white...very cool!

BUT, I am brand new and don't want to come off arrogant in any way so if this is not a good idea please yell at me...lol

If this is not a good move (I have been in the dojo only about 2 months) I would still like to find some tsuba to collect... (and for my shinai later when it is o.k.)

I would also really love to see YOUR favorite tsuba....
If anyone wants to insert an image of there special tsuba that would be great! I have not seen many

[ArcticBlizzard]

http://www.zen-sankei.com.au/onlines...7c74c4811e1a19

I like this one
http://www.zen-sankei.com.au/onlines...ba6f29f2324625
And this one
http://www.zen-sankei.com.au/onlines...ba6f29f2324625

Other sites
http://www.okada-budogu.com/catalog....subcatid=12722
http://www.onlinekendo.com/product.p...Tsuba&proid=78

Just use google
"Shinai Tsuba" you get loads of results.

I can't comment on if it's 'not done' as a beginner.

[Chev-san]

http://www.e-mudo.com/shinai_tsuba_s/29.htm they have a good range of tusba.

as for me, I use a real turtle shell tsuba that I bought from Sankei

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...shelltsuba.jpg

[Lloromannic]

http://www.zen-sankei.com.au/onlines...7c74c4811e1a19

I have that one

[Kaoru]

Hi!

Well, if they think you are arrogant, ignore them. However, you should ask around in your dojo and see what others think about it, just to be on the safe side. I see no problem with starting a collection if that's what you like, though. We really can't tell you if it is ok or not, since each dojo is different, and the atmosphere of each dojo is different. Some may be just fine with it, others may not be. Don't be afraid to ask around though. Your dojomates won't bite, I am sure.

I got my first nice tsuba as a gift when I first began kendo, so I felt it was ok to use it instead of the plastic one that came with my shinai. I'd have felt weird otherwise, if I had gone and bought a really nice one right off myself, but that's just me. What I did, was wait 2 years and then rewarded myself with another tsuba that I also really liked, for staying in kendo for that long.

You don't have to do what I did... It is just what I decided to do when I first started, and thought I'd share it with you.

I got the Hasegawa tsuba that is pink(ish? They call it burgundy, but it does have pink on it.) with sakura blossoms all over it. It is supposed to withstand getting accidentally hit or an accidental drop, so I thought it would be great for daily practice. I don't want my other tsuba to break. I'd die if it broke. So, that's the whole reason for getting the Hasegawa, besides the fact that pink is my favorite color. It's not overly heavy or too light as well. At least for me anyway.

It looks like this:

http://www.budo-aoi.com/kendo/access..._tsuba_01.html

-------------------

Other interesting and pretty tsuba you may like:

http://www.boguzen.com/b_s.a.html

http://www.e-bogu.com/Shinai_s/25.htm

http://www.mazkiya.net/catalog/index...sort=2a&page=1

http://www.kendo-bogu.com/category_s/97.htm

Well, that's as much interesting tsuba as I could find that others have not already posted. There are some really pretty ones available.

I hope this helps! I hope you are enjoying kendo so far, too!

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

http://www.e-mudo.com/shinai_tsuba_s/29.htm they have a good range of tusba.

as for me, I use a real turtle shell tsuba that I bought from Sankei

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...shelltsuba.jpg

Are you ever scared the turtle shell tsuba will break? I heard they are more breakable. Is that true? Just wondering... The one you have is beautiful!

Kaoru

[Chev-san]

no, this thing is tough as nails. It has been dropped, hard impacts you name it. I've had it for more than a year now with still only a couple minor scratches on it. The only downside is you can tell the weight difference after awhile.

[D'Artagnan]

Actually, I have seen a Honbekko (real tortoishell) do-dai, so it must be pretty tough. If anyone has a few grand knocking about and you live in a country where it is not now illegal to import tortoishell products, I can get one for you if you want...

[yoda-waza]

I guarantee once you start hard ji-geiko or shiai-geiko you will not be concerned with how your tsuba, or anyone else's, looks like.

[kanyil]

I guarantee once you start hard ji-geiko or shiai-geiko you will not be concerned with how your tsuba, or anyone else's, looks like.

Agreed, I just go with whatever's in reach that fits. I've used pink ones, leather ones, hasegawa hi-tech ones and standard orange/yellow and so far no one has said a thing or showed any signed they noticed what tsuba you use.

[b8amack]

Actually, I have seen a Honbekko (real tortoishell) do-dai, so it must be pretty tough. If anyone has a few grand knocking about and you live in a country where it is not now illegal to import tortoishell products, I can get one for you if you want...

I've seen real tortoiseshell tsuba here, but I couldn't shell out for a do-dai. I doubt I'd be able to bring it back to Canada. I like the same tsuba you sell. All I can find here are ray-skin ones.

I guarantee once you start hard ji-geiko or shiai-geiko you will not be concerned with how your tsuba, or anyone else's, looks like.

Can't say the same. It's nice to see some personality out there, I find. At my last shinsa there was a man in his late fifties/ maybe sixties, very serious; had a pinkish tsuba on his shinai that his granddaughter (who was watching) had given him.

[still learning]

pink ones, leather ones, hasegawa hi-tech ones and standard orange/yellow ...

I suppose that having a personalised or distinctive tsuba would help identify your kit when there is a whole bunch of same-similar armour with same-similar tenegui on them..........
I have been to several seminars where there has been something of an embarassing pause whilst kendoka identify and grab the correct pile of kit + shinai.

[atgm]

Mine's a dark purple with light purple dragonflies. More importantly, it's slightly (barely) larger than a standard tsuba and fits my tsuka better. The top's so scuffed that you can barely see the pattern anyway.

[KenshiNewbie]

GOOD STUFF! thanks all! I may buy one today... (not gonna put it one yet, I think i'll wait a month...)
Do you see different one's at tournament? I just mean not the same ones over and over? Although they are very nice, I seemed to see the same tsuba's on most of the sites...

If you are a craftsmen would they let you make one if it falls in a certain weigh, material and thickness? Or do they need to be certified by some organization or association?

[Kaoru]

no, this thing is tough as nails. It has been dropped, hard impacts you name it. I've had it for more than a year now with still only a couple minor scratches on it. The only downside is you can tell the weight difference after awhile.

Really? Wow, that's nice to know! They sure are pretty. I'm surprised they don't scratch easily. That's pretty cool. Why... are they heavier or lighter than usual? Thanks!

Kaoru