Package On The Doorstep

**Scott H** · 20th January 2012, 07:44 AM

Got home yesterday. There it was. A largish package on my doorstep.

My new Do had finally arrived. I felt like a kid you know?

It was actually my Xmas gift to myself, and also a gift to myself for returning back to Kendo. The best part was coming home each day to if it had arrived. The anticipation built up week after week, and it's eventual arrival was almost anti-climatic.

That is of course, until I opened the box. Beautiful.

I had always wanted a quality Do, but just kept on using the same one I'd had since '93. Finally decided to stump up the cash, and I'm glad I did. This new one looks like a work of art. Lovely, dark-brown Do-Dai as an extra bonus.

Sat it side by side with my old Do, which at this point looked a bit forlorn, so I'll pass that on to a beginner at the dojo.

I reckon it has some decent waza in it. Or maybe that's just fungus.

**Lloromannic** · 20th January 2012, 11:23 AM

But where are the pictueres :|

**Scott H** · 20th January 2012, 01:05 PM

Ah yes, a photo would help I suppose. Per usual, the picture doesn't really do it justice.

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**Tort-Speed** · 20th January 2012, 01:44 PM

That is, as the Japanese may say, "subarashi" (brown's my fav color, anyway). Now you have to train seriouser and carefuller, to pay back the craftspeople who made this wonderful thing for You!

**Tort-Speed** · 20th January 2012, 01:57 PM

But beware the Shoelace Saga: a not-well-off person walking along a quiet road came upon a pair of nice shoelaces (still used back then). After scanning the surroundings, finding no one in sight, he discarded the old, eagerly laced in the new. Back home, he looked happily in a mirror only to notice, his shoes now looked forlorn. So he bought a new pair of shoes, and so goes the story: socks, pants, shirt, jacket, cap.
Good on you for hanging in there and hope the new one will inspire.
(I keep a tattered set in case of I practice outside my dojos or something needs repairing, btw.)

**Scott H** · 20th January 2012, 02:16 PM

Ha, an excellent metaphor indeed. Luckily, my spending splurges will end at this latest purchase for a good spell.

An apt comment as well about training serious in this new Do as well. By "serious" I mean that I am conscious of the widely circulated belief that a colored Do-Dai brings attention to you and a kendoka somewhat has to ....well....not come across as a doofus while wearing one.

**Alex** · 20th January 2012, 11:46 PM

I just want to hit it!

**Scott H** · 21st January 2012, 01:25 AM

Har! Mr. Bennett, I hope someday to give you that chance!

**Tort-Speed** · 21st January 2012, 10:48 PM

Yeah, make deep gashes on the surface....

**tango** · 23rd January 2012, 11:17 PM

Scott -- who'd you order it from? ....and confirm the name of your color choice on the order form? My instructor had a really old one of very similar color which was his favorite, but he's ..*ahem*.. outgrown it and for a long time, I've considered asking the other club members if they'd considered replacing it as a gift.

..it seems so hard to tell real color schemes from some online photos...

**Scott H** · 24th January 2012, 01:14 AM

Hi, I ordered it through e-bogu. Was surprised to read some complaints about this particular company on the forum, but for me, I've always been happy with what I've purchased from them.

Anyway, good point about color schemes differing from how they appear online versus reality. The color I chose was "Beni-Tame", which actually looks a bit darker in reality versus e-bogu's online depiction of it. In the bright light it appears as the picture above, but almost looks black in dimmer light.

So, there you go. Hope that helps.