bogu

[shinjinho]

hi ive been doin kendo for about a month now, and my sensei says that i'll be ready to wear bogu in a week... my question is should i buy the bogu in advance, or wait for my sensei to tell me what to get..? also... does anyone know where i buy cool tengui?

thanks in advance

[Bleda]

Wait till you try it, he might have club bogu to lend you, or a deal he can get you on bogu. As for tenegui i am particularly fond of the ones at eguchi

[Masahiro]

take this time and do some research, ask around, take a look at other people's bogu if you get the chance and distinguish what you like from what you don't like. .. ... I did a 5 monthes research before I purchased my first bogu. And it was worth it. Good luck,

[moetl]

hi masahiro,

could you tell us (or me, if no one else is interested ^^) what the course of your research was? from which company did you want to buy at first, what (if anything) had changed your decision, and which bogu did you buy in the end? what did you consider?

currently i am also researching, but i won't buy a bogu before the next half year, because i would like to wait for the advise of the sensei before buying - so still plenty much time for research

[Masahiro]

hi masahiro,

could you tell us (or me, if no one else is interested ^^) what the course of your research was? from which company did you want to buy at first, what (if anything) had changed your decision, and which bogu did you buy in the end? what did you consider?

currently i am also researching, but i won't buy a bogu before the next half year, because i would like to wait for the advise of the sensei before buying - so still plenty much time for research

"To ask is but a moment of shame, but to not ask results in a life time of ignorance". .. ...Yes, I should very much like to share with you my experience. I am flattered to be able to contribute to your journey of kendo in the smallest degree.


When I first started studying kendo, I immediately noticed the importance of a well constructed bogu. After havnig practiced in a 5/6 mm machine stiched set from our club for 8 monthes; I was slowly able to distinguish what is good for protection along with some of my personal preference in the type of bogu I wanted. Five monthes ago, I started reasearching online. I started browsing this very forum's "bogu" section to read about other people's comments on who they bought from and how they rated the vendors they purchased from. And from their reference along with my hours of comparing different online vendors I narrowed my choice down to 2 companies ~E-bogu and bogubag. I would be lying if I said I didn't have a budget I was to accomodate when I considered which vendor and which set I was to purchase. But when safty and long term practicality were my factored in the priority equation, cost became my last concern. At the time, I was interested in acquiring the "1.0 bu master quality handmade set from E-bogu or the 1.5 bu Kohsho from bogubag.com. They both looked very sharp and durable to me. But I kept telling myself to wait a little longer and explore other alternative solutions. Soon enough I came across the official site of All Japan budogu Association. After reading about the difference between a "traditionally" made bogu and a "commercial" made bogu which are very common nowadays. I felt very ambivalent. I was so new to kendo and I didn't want to let my naiveness get to the best of me, so I wrote the All Japan budogu Association seeking their advice with regards to whom I should buy from. Their suggestion was Moribudo of Tokyo. As I understand the Tokyo police buys from them, so does many high schools and colleges in Japan. That's gotta tell you something about their quality and service. I began to browse Moribudo's site and started exchanging e-mails with Mr. Mori himself. Also seeking his advice on what I should do. He was very kind to have sent me a catalogue so quickly, and with his patience and help and the visuals provided by the catalogue. I soon found myself finalizing the details on a M-15 set from Moribudo. I chose Moribudo because of their exceptional reputation, my conversations over the e-mail with Mr. Mori himeself, and because they will go lengthes to satisfy their customers. But to add some justice to the reputation of bogubag and e-bogu, I know they are both very reputable vendors. And I would trust them with my money as I still do buy certain goods from both companies. Hope this helps you in the least.

[moetl]

hi masahiro,
first of all, thank you for your detailed story.

... Soon enough I came across the official site of All Japan budogu Association. After reading about the difference between a "traditionally" made bogu and a "commercial" made bogu which are very common nowadays. I felt very ambivalent...

can you provide a link to this website, if there is an english version too? i'm really interested is such details, i am eager to know as much as possible

sad enough, i don't know anything about bogu except the shallow details about stiching, which are not the wisdom's last conclusion (faust translated freely ^^)

[streetcleaner]

Masahiro
yeah, this is very good post, thanks. and what site do you mean "All Japan budogu Association"?
by the way - eguchi is a member of this assotiation. i think koei is too