Hasegawa Kote (finally, pics! oooooh~!)

[T.Lee]

alright, finally got some close up pics of the Hasegawa Kote. Here's the company ad. http://www.hasegawakagaku.co.jp/hasegawakote.html i dont read japanese either...

its been talked about twice already, not much user reviews or pics.

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4101&
http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5103&

i recently landed onto some cash from a raffle at my dojo's annual festival. and since it was my birthday, i decided to finally buy these. besides, my original kote that came with my bogu set had apparently kote too big for me. i never noticed since thats what i first used and have gotten used to it. but i can feel the difference with a proper fitting kote. i have relatively small hands (but a big head), for whatever thats worth... so no surprise. i got a size M.

ok, so here are the pics. first off, its a very nice looking set of kote. well constructed. the major difference from the outside youll notice is the covers around the tips of the fingers and thumb area. and the little Hasegawa logo. other than that, nothing different from the outside. im not sure i dig the purple himo tho...

http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/kote5.jpg
http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/kote6.jpg
http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/kote1.jpg

but of course the MAIN feature of these kote is a COMPLETELY removable inner liner. it basically zips around the whole perimeter of the kote. the metal zipper parts are covered and protected from chaffing by appropriate flaps and material.

http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/kote12.jpg

the extra material that once covered the tips of the fingers and thumb shows that it uses velcro to secure the elastic tip.

http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/kote7.jpg

i suppose this is washable separately. the palm feels like clarino. notice the extra stitching and construction of the palm tho.

http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/kote13.jpg

whats even better is the wonderful SOFT feel of the inner liner. like putting your hands in a plush sock, not hard kote. i noticed extra material where its needed around the finger joints so the fabric doesnt stretch.

now, heres the kicker. check out the EXTRA PADDING on the striking area of the wrist. great for motodachi's who gotta take an extra few poundings during practice (assuming the kendoka hit the kote...) its a little stiffer along the wrist area. and it is only on the right hand. nothing needed on the left.

http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/kote9.jpg
http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/kote10.jpg

i dont see why these kote arent selling like hotcakes. you can get them through eguchi in the US for $230 retail, $200 at the tournament price. i dont know why they dont show them on the website anymore, but with all the thought and dare i say, "engineering" that is obviously designed into this kote, im glad i bought these. of course i havent used them, yet. the only drawback i anticipate is it getting a bit hot in there with less room to breathe. but for a gearhead like me, hasegawa gets a big thumbs up from me.

feel free to browse the rest of the directory for more pics.

http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/kendo/kote/

[T.Lee]

extra liners are only $50 each. wash and use em all you want, why bother fixing them when they wear out. just replace.

[Taisaburo]

I wonder how much this costs...

[carlos]

Where can I order online?

[T.Lee]

call eguchi USA directly its not on their website anymore. $230 retail. (as mentioned in the text.)

http://www.eguchi.net/cart_index.htm

[Hai_hai]

That looks cool. It would be an secret way of adding additional padding to your right wrist without having to wear one of those wrist protectors.

[T.Lee]

secret way? why not just secure some padding underneath your regular kote like a men pad if you wanted to protect your limp wrist...

i just think its cool they actually considered the extra feature where its specifically needed. shows a lot of care in design.

[samurai999]

Nice kotes tyson. While the removable padding is nice for washing and having non-stinky kote and the extra padding is good for regular practice since it gives you protection for those aspiring lumberjacks out there, the kotes might be heavier. Maybe that is why the kotes aren't selling. Plus, i really haven't seen anything from Hasegawa sell that well save the carbon shinai.

Tim

[kuzu70]

extra liners are only $50 each. wash and use em all you want, why bother fixing them when they wear out. just replace.

$50 each or $50 per pair?

[T.Lee]

weight is suppose is a factor. i dont think that was really a consideration for what they seem to be intended for, which is think is a durable/replacable kote for ppl who practice a lot or want the option to clean their kote. as opposed to outright, lightest weight kote for shiai, which are already sold.

anyway, its only $200 and i actually got a better deal than that since it was a display model. who knows how many ppl stuck their hand in it...


"$50 each" means $50 for each liner, left or right. actually i think its $45...

[Wes Nazo]

"If I had kote like these...


.... I'd get all the b*tches!"

[EzzzE]

errr totally off topic may i point out that the chic on oyur signature T.Lee the shinai still has its red transportation strings attached *GG*

to the kote: somehow gives me a mixed feeling. the improvemt of extra padding is quite an good idea, kote still hurts the most in kendo, and the extra washable things also area good ide, but somehow the kote look to modern to me, something like spaced up but not only that, they just dont look good imho..(even for spaced up ones :P )

[streetcleaner]

they just dont look good imho..(even for spaced up ones :P )

to be hohest, they look cheap and ugly

[Pauly]

After seeing this thread, my interest in these Hasegawa kote has been renewed.

I have two pairs of kote which I have tried to take care of each time after practice. I have had both palms on both sets repaired once for holes. But now the problem is the knuckle padding has gotten so hard and stiff that it is rubbing blisters in my knuckles. Anyone else have this problem?

I wonder if being able to clean the inner padding more efficiently by taking off the palms might extend the kote's "comfort window".

T.Lee, please post a review after you have had a chance to practice with them.

[ShinKenshi]

You could just buy a pair of inexpensive under-kote gloves or wrap your knuckles with an ace bandage but then again the bandage might make for a tighter fit. I've had to loosen my kote himo so I could accomodate my wrist-forearm pad.