Hello everyone! This is Abe from the BUSHIZO Shibuya showroom! Today I'd like to review the extremely popular Japanese-made armor "Seito"! I hope this will be helpful for those who are interested in Seito but don't know what it's really like, are considering purchasing it, or are just curious about it!!

[Nihon Kendogu Seisakusho] Saito -SAITO- 6mm Stitched Armor Set

· table of contents

1. What kind of armor is Saito?

2. What kind of company is Nihon Kendo Equipment Manufacturing?

3. Impressions after actually using it

4. Conclusion

1. What kind of armor is Saito?

- "Saito", a purely Japanese-made protective gear - I'm sure many people who practice kendo have heard of this name at least once. Some may even be using it now. Although "Saito" is a popular Japanese-made protective gear, there are probably many people who don't know what kind of armor it actually is.

Saito is named after the city of Saito, which is famous for its martial arts equipment. Initially, Saito was produced to promote the town and as a gift in return for hometown tax donations. Later, wholesale sales began at the request of retailers across the country. It quickly gained popularity and established its current position as a domestically produced protective gear. It's no wonder that high-quality, low-cost domestically produced protective gear is so popular.

Let's take a look at the specifications of Saito.

·surface

6mm mesh stitching, 5mm pitch, black decorative thread, vertical decoration, Japanese-made fabric, Japanese-made Clarino edging

Made in Japan IBB duralumin faceplate, cotton inner ring, dark blue jaw, diagonal five-tiered decoration

・Kote

3 head ornament ropes, 9 upper arm ropes, micro punch on the inside of the hand, futon gouge type, decorative thread black, futon 8mm

・Tare

6mm stitch, 5mm pitch, 4-tiered embroidery, black decorative thread

・Torso

Helmet Ornament (Optional) 3-legged 50-piece resin base with black decorative thread and genuine leather

I'm sure it's hard to understand the specifications written out like this. If I had to describe this armor in one word, I'd say it's " top student ." The men and tare have a firm, supple texture. This allows them to hold their shape well and retain their shape. The three-tiered decoration on the kote head allows movement along the knuckles, making it easy to grip. I'll share my detailed impressions later. Another reason I call it a top student is its cost performance. It offers top-level cost performance among Japanese-made armor, making it perfect for those new to Japanese armor. While altering the torso and chest usually requires an additional fee, Saito allows you to alter the chest, as shown in the image on the right, for free. From these points of view, Saito can truly be called a top student.

2. What kind of company is Nihon Kendo Equipment Manufacturing?

Now, let me tell you about the Nippon Kendo Equipment Factory, which produces "Saito." Nippon Kendo Equipment Factory, located in Saito City, Miyazaki Prefecture, is Japan's oldest armor factory and is known for being the first to develop machine-stitched armor. It is said that Nippon Kendo Equipment Factory produces over 80% of the armor currently manufactured in Japan. With the number of armor craftsmen decreasing these days, it is no exaggeration to say that Nippon Kendo Equipment Factory is the last bastion of Japanese-made armor culture.

3. Impressions after actually using it

Having actually used it, what impressed me most was how comfortable it was to wear. As mentioned above, Saito's masks and tare have a firm stiffness. This allows you to firmly attach the mask and makes it even more difficult for it to lose its shape. However, despite its firm stiffness, there is also a supple softness, so there is no discomfort when swinging the shinai. I am a jodan user, and I was able to hold the mask without any stress whether I was in a jodan or chudan stance! It is also relatively light in weight, so my neck did not hurt even when wearing the mask for a long time. As for the kote, thanks to the decorative thread, it is soft and moves along the joints, allowing you to grip the shinai firmly. It is truly an excellent product! The quality is what you would expect from a top student!

4. Conclusion

This time I have written a review of "Saito". The site says that this is an excellent piece of armor that combines luxury, cost-effectiveness, and quality. It is armor that can be used not only for daily training, but also for matches and promotion examinations. I would encourage everyone to try it out. It is always on display at the BUSHIZO showroom. If you would like to see the real thing, please come to the showroom!

That's all from Abe.

Today's featured products

[Nihon Kendogu Seisakusho] Saito -SAITO- 6mm Stitched Armor Set