Sponge Sword

[Sture]

I have seen something named as "Sponge Sword" on kendoshop.com. Can anybody tell me what is it and what for kendokas use it?
Thanks.

[Khabbi]

Im not sure , but says bokken on the top of the page . so my guess its somthing you can thread on to a bokken so its a softer hit , maybe to hit stuff ? ( not ppl ! )

reminds me of the simpsons episode when they get family therapy and end up hiting eachother with sponge sticks lol

[mystic_kendoka]

its not fully sponge, i saw it before its wooden(or something else solid) and then sponge coated... i guess its safer...

[dorkusxmaximus]

i saw my teacher used it a few times against little kids

[meow]

Maybe this is for shiai in the bathroom...

[Twobitmage]

Maybe this is for shiai in the bathroom...

ewwww I hope you dont mean..

[Chopstix]

I use it to scrub my back.

[kosir]

As far as i know, this kind of swords are used for kenjitsu pratice.

Regards,
Kosir

[JimB]

I've seen a few people use these things to wack each other with and pretend they are samurai when i was in California. I suppose they would be safer when preforming kata than the regular wooden bokken but I have never seen them used in my dojo. They would be excellent for children who tend to have more accidents with bokken than adults.

[Old Warrior]

"They would be excellent for children who tend to have more accidents with bokken than adults"

We have them and they are used for a number of purposes. For people without armor who are being taught how to cut and hit the targets on them -the fear factor is gone. They watch how you come forward, and don't duck or cringe because they are not afraid of getting hurt.

For adult clubbers, they are sort of a punishment. If you hit too hard the Master won't let you bout with a shinai until you show some better control.

For kids or adults who don't seem to listen it is used as sort of a "love tap" to get your attention. For instance, if you don't cut and keep going, expect a wack on the rear. It's not a matter of pain, just encouragement and it lightens the mood as it always draws a chuckle at the sound of the whack.

Lastly, sometimes the kids get rambunctious before or after class and they just square off and wail away at each other. Since they can't get hurt, nobody runs to stop them.

I think they serve their purpose.

[xvikingx]

Besides the other uses listed here, I believe these are ultimately meant to be used for sports chambara. They have foam daggers, spears, bo, and special brain-buckets also.
I like the idea of them being used in the shower though. I can imagine a soapy bath battle ending with "I got a bubble in my eye!"

[Yowai]

They're great for frolicking in the shower room.

[Chook]

The local martial arts store has one in stock. I'd never use it but I guess it's a novelty to some.