Kote Shape (Regulations and Rules)

[ChowYunFat]

Are there any regulations or rules regarding Kote design and form? For instance, why aren't there any Kote that have 'fingers' like Jeet Kun Do gloves? The reason I ask is that I spread out my fingers alot when gripping the shinai and my fingers change position sometimes. I think it would be an advantage to be able to move your fingers some what. I guess I could probably just get bigger Kote so I have more room....

[D'Artagnan]

Are there any regulations or rules regarding Kote design and form? For instance, why aren't there any Kote that have 'fingers' like Jeet Kun Do gloves? The reason I ask is that I spread out my fingers alot when gripping the shinai and my fingers change position sometimes. I think it would be an advantage to be able to move your fingers some what. I guess I could probably just get bigger Kote so I have more room....

No, you can't get Kendo kote with seperated fingers.

You don't need to have seperated fingers in yout kote, because, if you are 'spreading out' your fingers in the way i am imagining then you are gripping the shinai incorrectly.

Do not buy kote that are too big so that you can continue to practise an incorrect grip.

Correctly fitting kote shall allow you to grip the shinai correctly and comfortably, that's why they are as they are

[Kingofmyrrh]

I'm with the musketeer's friend...

[DCPan]

Are there any regulations or rules regarding Kote design and form? For instance, why aren't there any Kote that have 'fingers' like Jeet Kun Do gloves? The reason I ask is that I spread out my fingers alot when gripping the shinai and my fingers change position sometimes. I think it would be an advantage to be able to move your fingers some what. I guess I could probably just get bigger Kote so I have more room....

I've seen photos of the five-fingers kote.

It was in Kendo Nippon and in Baba Kinji sensei's book "Kendo: Traditional Skills". He was using that type of kote for nito.

It looked really just like blue kitchen gloves...not much protection, almost impossible to repair (the glove part any way).

Don't know about the rules part though...

FWIW.

[Kendoka]

I've seen photos of the five-fingers kote.

...not much protection, ...

FWIW.

You said it!

[ChowYunFat]

Actually I try to hold the shinai like pictures 1, 2 and 3 in the following link:

http://www.yamatanidojo.com/correct_grip.htm

The only difference is that i have a slight gap between my index finger and middle finger. My gloves will not let me place my hands in that position (pictures 1, 2 & 3). They are so tight (perhaps because they are new) that they only allow me to grip the shinai as pictured in pictures 4 & 5.

[joekc6nlx]

When I first got my bogu, I felt like my fingers were being crushed together inside the kote, but now that I've used them a few times, got them nice and sweaty, and allowed them time to dry between uses, they've eased out a bit, and are no longer uncomfortable.

[Pan-Chan]

My sensei had told me that he uses kote that are a tiny bit larger in the palm, because he likes to spread his fingers out to have more control over the sword.

[JSchmidt]

. They are so tight (perhaps because they are new) that they only allow me to grip the shinai as pictured in pictures 4 & 5.

Just as you need to 'train' a new men, you also need to ensure that when you get new kote, you pay close attention to the hand & finger position, so that they get the right shape. By default, most new kote's will force your hands to hold the shinai rather squarely.

Jakob

[doubissu]

Why do (ice) hockey players use "fingered" gloves ? Sounds like a very risky way to protect your fingers as well as an un-healthy method of keeping your hands warm. Yet, that's how they do it. Could it be because of tradition, going against common sense ?

[ratdeau]

For instance, why aren't there any Kote that have 'fingers' like Jeet Kun Do gloves?

Many years ago, I owned 'fingers' kote. They were hand made by Okada sensei's family.
They really taught me how to place my hands on my shinai. I was only shodan, without teacher, and nobody to show me how to place my hands. The fingers and the special design of the hand were very helpfull and the protection very good (anyway, fingers are not a target in kendo).

Now, to answer your question, it can be dangerous for your index finger if you let it too relax during a men attack. Once, my opponent did men at the same time as me. My finger get caught in his kendogi arm opening (how do you say 'manche' in english?) and has been torn back.

[Lucien]

'manche' is 'sleeve' in English.