Hello everyone. This is Abe from the BUSHIZO Shibuya showroom! Today I'd like to review the Japanese-made armor "Hyuga" made by the Nippon Kendo Equipment Factory. I hope this will be helpful for those who are interested or considering purchasing it.

[Nihon Kendogu Seisakusho] Hyuga Traditional Crafts Armor Set

table of contents
1. What kind of armor is Hyuga?

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

3. Impressions after receiving it

4. Conclusion

1. What kind of armor is Hyuga?

The "Hyuga" armor, made entirely in Japan by the Japan Kendo Equipment Factory, features machine-sewn details on the face, futon, kote, and tare, all of which are as beautiful as hand-sewn pieces. Due to the beauty of the finish and the skill of the artisans, Hyuga has been designated a traditional craft. The chin and futon edges are luxuriously crafted with indigo-dyed deerskin, evoking a sense of luxury and presence.

The most distinctive feature of Hyuga is that it can be customized to your liking. Hyuga is a completely custom-made armor that is made from scratch to fit the customer's size after an order is placed. This means that the delivery time will be a little longer, but the armor will be perfectly tailored to the customer. Also, during the production process, you can change everything from the chin embroidery and decorative thread color, the embroidery on the chest and to the amount of deer hair on the kote-gashira (the part of the kote that protects the shoulders) to the hardness and length of the men-dare (the part that protects the shoulders). You can create your own original armor to your liking!

This time, I will be reviewing the basic Hinata without any customizations.
Below are the specifications for Hinata.

【Men】
Made in Japan, Mengane (golden face), high-quality genuine deerskin leather, indigo-dyed cotton/woven embroidery, handmade cotton inner ring (cotton), silk floss, Japanese-made core material, Japanese-made Seiko machine stitching, painted edges, Japanese-made lacquer.

[Kote]
Made in Japan with deer hair, Japanese cotton, indigo-dyed cotton/woven embroidery, deerskin, hand (choice of Japanese TORAY Ultrasuede, brown deerskin, or white deerskin), Japanese-made Seiko machine stitching, Japanese core material

【DO】
50 resin dodai (flat resin dodai for boys) made in Japan with hand-stitched chest and hand decorations

[Tare]
Indigo dyed cotton / woven embroidery, made in Japan, core material: silk floss, deerskin, pure felt, made in Japan, Seiko machine stitched

TwoWhat kind of company is Nihon Kendo Equipment Manufacturing?

Now, let me tell you about the Nippon Kendo Equipment Factory, which produces "Hyuga." Nippon Kendo Equipment Factory, located in Saito City, Miyazaki Prefecture, is the oldest armor factory in Japan 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 receiving it

When I actually held it in my hands, it felt even more luxurious than it looked in photos. The stitches made by the machine are fine, and the stitches are uniform in width, creating beautiful parallel lines. This is a masterpiece that you can feel the artisans carefully crafting each piece. The navy deerskin used on the chin and edges is dyed a deep indigo blue that is so captivating it creates a luxurious feel.

The moment I picked up the kote, I was surprised at how light it was. Just because it's light doesn't mean it's hollow inside. The kote head is packed with deer hair, and the kote body is firm and thick enough. Ultrasuede is used inside the hand, achieving both a comfortable feel and softness. The shape of the kote is made using a pattern carefully selected by the craftsman, so it fits comfortably in the hand.

The tare is not only light, but also has five rows of decorative thread, navy deerskin on the hem, and fine machine stitching, making it a quality worthy of high-end armor. The tare strings also become thinner towards the end, making it easier to fasten. Combining luxury and functionality, this is armor that can be confidently recommended to anyone.

4. Conclusion

This time we introduced the purely Japanese-made armor "Hyuga." What did you think? It combines luxury and functionality, and you can even customize it to your liking. You can customize it for matches, promotion exams, or practice, and Hyuga is the perfect armor for kendo enthusiasts. We always have Hyuga on display at our Shibuya showroom. If you'd like to try it out for yourself, please feel free to come by!

Products introduced this time

[Nihon Kendogu Seisakusho] Hyuga Traditional Crafts Armor Set