IKF specifications for shinais

[nikolaj]

im not so sure about that, u know the old Workman and his tools argument, i think if ur a good kendoka u should be able to pick up any shinai as long as its not radically different (ie 5 times as long) and do good kendo with it.. its like a tennis racket really, all these players r so fussed bout string tension and all that crap but lets be honest if your good your good even if your playing with a wooden racket (which John Macenroe still plays with funnily enough)

good point, I do believe your equipment can matter though, I mean sure, a hachidan could beat a kyusha with a lollipop, but when you're both nearly thesame level, as in a tournament's finals...

[[Kensei 剣の聖者]]

yeah it probably can give u an edge in some situations

[JSchmidt]

IMHO, if you can't notice the slightest change in your shinai, then you're really not one with your sword.

I disagree with that. While going from a chukoto to a dobari (or vice-versa) can affect your kendo, I really don't think changing (regular) shinai does anything to your kendo...the differences in weight/balance are simply too small.

Jakob

[Kendoka]

Im supprised there are fixed lengths for shinais, how long has this been going on?

At least 15 years. The lengths are maximum and the weights are minimum, neither is "fixed". You may use a shorter and heavier shinai if you dare!

myeah, the chanses of anyone ver weighing your shinai are quite slim...

In Australia at state level competition, the shinai rules are applied and shinais are inspected for safety and compliance.
The reasons are:

• Our state comps are run according to the IKF rules.
• The National Championships are run according to the IKF rules.
• The World Championships are run according to the IKF rules.

So when you get to compete at higher levels (I wish) there are no surprises.

[MikeW]

People do weigh shinai even at 'local' division tournaments... at least they do sometimes at the SEUSKF tournaments. They don't always, but have on occasion.

[Justin]

Specifications for shinais drawn from The Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan, effective 23 March 2000. Published by The International Kendo Federation are at the following link:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~kendo/shinai.html

It doesn't work anymore guys

[Kendoka]

It doesn't work anymore guys

That is an old link, but I have reinstated it anyway. Thanks for the heads up

The link is correct as in my sig - http://home.vicnet.net.au/~kendo/shinai/.

[David]

Wait, so I'm supposed to be using a size 38 shinai? o.O I've been using a 39 this whole time...That's ok, right?

[Kendoka]

Wait, so I'm supposed to be using a size 38 shinai? o.O I've been using a 39 this whole time...That's ok, right?

The regs are for competition.

For practice, the size of shinal that suits you, depends on your body size.

[icy_flame]

Yeah but, can you compete with a size 38 as a man?

[Neil Gendzwill]

As long as it is heavy enough, yes. The requirements are minimum weight and maximum length. So long as your 38 (or 36, or 34) is at least 520 g, goferit.

[Koki]

My old sempai used a custom made shinai, 38 length, but weighed 550gr. It fitted his body size. He was about 5'3.

But according to the Kendo reader, shorter and heavier shinai are used to train the spirit.

[Kendoka]

Specifications for shinais drawn from The Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan, effective 23 March 2000. Published by The International Kendo Federation are at the following link:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~kendo/shinai.html

The FIK Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan have been updated, effective 7 December 2006. The shinai specs for competition remain as previous.

[Sakari]

The FIK Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan have been updated, effective 7 December 2006. The shinai specs for competition remain as previous.

So what did change? I think I heard about this somewhere, but can't find it now .

Does anybody know where the current regulations could be found online? The FIK page is not very helpful.

[Kendoka]

So what did change? I think I heard about this somewhere, but can't find it now .

Does anybody know where the current regulations could be found online? The FIK page is not very helpful.

The ONLY change is to the translation to English, apparently to better reflect the original intent, some typos, two bits of clauses that were left out and other minor corrections. There is no change to the Japanese language content.

The updated books have just been printed and were released last week

I'll post the changes in a few days.