Author: BUSHIZO Shibuya Showroom Manager Kudo

A complete guide to caring for your kendo gear: from odor prevention to tips for making it last longer

Basics of caring for your armor

Kendo equipment is not a cheap purchase. Proper daily care is essential to keep your precious equipment in good condition for a long time. In this article, we will share all the know-how we have gained in the field, from basic maintenance methods for armor to dealing with odors that many kendo practitioners struggle with, and the timing of repairs.

1. Five basic principles for caring for your kendo equipment

To make your protective gear last longer, first keep in mind the five basic principles. By making these a habit, you can significantly extend the life of your protective gear.

Principle 1: Wipe immediately after use

Do you leave your bogu in the bag after practice? Leaving it wet with sweat can cause bad odors, mold, and rust. Always wipe it carefully with a clean tenugui cloth after use.

Principle 2: Always dry in the shade

Direct sunlight is the biggest enemy of armor. The raw leather used in various parts of armor will harden if exposed to direct sunlight, and will become more susceptible to tearing due to friction. It is important to dry the armor slowly over time in a well-ventilated, shady area.

Principle 3: Fight odors with deodorants

Odor is an unavoidable problem when continuing to practice kendo. It is necessary to take frequent measures before the smell becomes ingrained. It is effective to spray a kendo-specific deodorizer made from natural ingredients after wiping. Commercially available deodorizers should be avoided if possible, as they contain chemicals that may cause discoloration.

Principle 4: Give your armor a rest

Ideally, you should alternate between two sets of armor. Just like with shoes, using the same item for a long time will cause it to wear out quickly. If it's difficult to get two sets, we recommend that you have at least two pairs of gloves, which tend to wear out quickly.

Principle 5: Try to repair things early

Leaving damage thinking "It's still okay, this much" can lead to unexpected injuries or accidents. Also, while minor damage can be repaired, serious damage can require replacement. It's especially important to repair holes in the glove while they're still small.

2. Daily care methods by area

Now let's take a closer look at how to care for each piece of armor.

Caring for the face

Basic care after practice

The inner ring of the mask is particularly prone to getting dirty because it comes into direct contact with your face. Please take care of it carefully by following the steps below.

1. Sweat wiping:Use a tightly wrung tenugui towel to thoroughly wipe away any sweat from the inner ring and the mengane. If there are any scratches on the mengane, you need to be especially careful as these may cause rust.
2. drying in the shade:Dry in the shade in a well-ventilated area to prevent the indigo dye from fading and the leather from being damaged.
3. Key Areas to Clean:For particularly dirty areas such as the inner ring and jaw, gently scrub them with a toothbrush and then carefully wipe them off with a tightly wrung-out washcloth.

How to repair peeling color on the surface edge

The black edges of the mengane may become worn off due to strikes. Here is a simple method for repairing it.

How to store the mask

Store in a well-ventilated place until the next time you use it. Leaving it in the armor bag for a long period of time can cause mold. If possible, it is best to take it out of the bag and hang it on a dedicated armor stand.

Care of the Kote

Basic care after practice

The gloves are the part of the armor that is most likely to develop odors, so they require careful care.

1. Stretching the leather inside the hand:Immediately after practice, stretch the leather inside your hand. This is an important step to prevent shrinkage after drying and to make the glove last longer.
2. Wiping down inside and out:Use a tightly wrung tenugui towel to thoroughly wipe away sweat, not only from the outside but also from the inside. Be especially careful with the inside of the small handle.
3. drying in the shade:Avoid direct sunlight and dry in the shade in a well-ventilated area.
4. Use of deodorant:Be sure to spray deodorizer after wiping. The small hands are particularly prone to retaining odors, so it's important to spray deodorizer every time.

Maintenance of the Kotehimo

The kote strings will loosen with repeated use. Check the following points.

• Regularly tighten the strap to ensure it fits snugly on your wrist.
• Any excess string should be wrapped up or cut off to prevent it from hanging down (you may be warned by the referee during a match).
• To prevent the cut ends from fraying, tie them together with several pieces of string or secure them with cellophane tape.

Countermeasures for holes in the gloves

If a hole appears in the hand or kote-gashira, it is important to repair it while it is still small. If the hole becomes larger, it will be difficult to repair and will pose a safety issue.

Body care

Basic care

The torso does not absorb sweat as easily as other pieces of armor, so it is relatively easy to care for.

1. Dry wipe:After use, wipe dry with a soft cloth.
2. Wiping the inside of the dodai:The inside of the dodai absorbs sweat easily, so wipe it off with a tightly wrung out tenugui cloth.
3. drying in the shade:Dry in the shade in a well-ventilated area.

Polishing the chest

If your chest is dry, here's how to care for it:

• Apply a small amount of mink oil to a soft cloth and polish.
• Be careful not to apply too much oil (it can cause stains and mold)
• Spread it thinly and evenly all over

How to store the body

It is important for the do to maintain its shape. Placing a piece of bamboo from a shinai inside the dodai will help maintain its beautiful curves.

Care of the hangings

Basic care after practice

In fact, the part of the armor that accumulates the most dirt is the tare, especially around the waist, which gets very dirty from sweat, so careful care is required.

1. Sweat wiping:Use a wet towel to thoroughly wipe away sweat, focusing on your waist area.
2. Cleaning the Otare and Kotare:Wipe the surfaces of the large and small pieces as well.
3. drying in the shade:Dry in the shade in a well-ventilated area.

Maintenance of hanging cords

Repeated tying and untying of the strings can cause them to become twisted, which can cause friction and make them more likely to break.

3. The ultimate solution to odor problems

The smell of kendo armor is a problem that many kendo practitioners struggle with. We will introduce the causes of the odor and effective countermeasures.

Causes of odor

There are three main causes of armour smell:

• Bacteria growth:Sweat and sebum are nutrients for bacteria to grow and cause bad odors.
• Sweat accumulation:Sweat soaks deep into the armor and is repeatedly dried and absorbed, causing odors to become ingrained.
• Insufficient drying:If it stays damp for a long time, it becomes an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.

Daily odor control

1. Prompt care after practice:The most important thing is to wipe away sweat and dry thoroughly.
2. Deodorant made from natural ingredients:Uses a chemical-free deodorizer specifically for kendo
3. Use of small gloves:Prevents sweat from penetrating directly into the armor
4. Regular drying in the shade:Even when not in use, dry it in the shade regularly to remove moisture.
5. Use a dehumidifier:Place a dehumidifier inside the armor bag when storing it.

For strong odors

If a strong odor has already set in, try the following:

• Professional cleaning (most effective)
• Baking soda spray (natural and safe)
• Fabric disinfectant spray (use a product specifically for protective gear)

4. Important points to note when washing with water

Sometimes you may want to wash your armor to freshen it up, but you need to be extremely careful when doing so.

Basic rules for washing

1. Always use lukewarm water

Hot water will cause the leather to shrink and break, so use lukewarm water at around 30°C.

2. Never put the leather part in water

The raw leather used in various parts of the armor will shrink and break when it dries if it is soaked in water. Avoid washing the leather parts, or wash only the parts that do not have leather.

3. Do not apply heat when drying

After washing, avoid direct sunlight and dry in a well-ventilated shade. Never use hot air from a dryer or hair dryer. If you really want to speed up the drying process, use the fan function (cold air).

Just keep it to a breeze.

4. Use the washing machine at your own risk

We do not recommend using a washing machine as there are the following risks:

• Indigo dye stains the inside of the washing machine
• The shock of washing can cause the leather to break.
• Armor loses its shape
• The metal fittings are damaged

Correct hand washing procedure (for tare)

1. Prepare lukewarm water (about 30°C) in a washbasin or bathtub.
2. Dissolve a small amount of neutral detergent
3. Avoid soaking the leather parts such as the hanging cords and fastening leather.
4. Wash gently (avoid rubbing)
5. Rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent
6. Absorb the moisture with a towel
7. Adjust the shape and dry in the shade

5. Professional cleaning

Even with daily care, stubborn stains and odors can build up over time. In such cases, it is best to use a cleaning service that specializes in kendo armor.

Specialized cleaning features

1. Cleaning with special chemicals

Because it uses chemicals specifically for protective gear that are not available commercially, it can remove sebum stains with its high cleaning power without damaging the material.

2. Restores the softness of your futon

Over the years of use, salt from sweat accumulates in the futon, causing the armor to become stiff. However, professional cleaning can remove the salt and restore the original softness.

3. Complete deodorization

It removes the root cause of the odor that has permeated deep into the armor, restoring it to like-new condition.

BUSHIZO's cleaning service "Kensen"

We have partnered with a specialist cleaning company called "Kensen" to provide high quality cleaning services.

　　　　　If you are considering professional cleaning, click here!

Comparison with home cleaning

6. Measures to prevent dirt

By preventing dirt from getting directly onto your armor, you can reduce the amount of maintenance required and extend the life of your armor.

Effective preventative measures

1. Gloves

• Prevents sweat and oil from your hands from directly adhering to the inside of your hands
• Washable and easy to keep clean
• Extends the life of the leather in your hand

2. Chin sweat absorber (face towel)

• Prevents sweat from seeping into the inner ring of the face mask
• Reduces discoloration and odor of the inner ring
• Keep it clean by changing it frequently

3. Men's innerwear

• Especially recommended for women
• Prevents makeup such as foundation from getting on the inner ring of the face
• Washable and hygienic

4. Chest cover

• Reduces direct impact to the torso and chest
• Prevents sweat stains
• Protects the torso decoration

7. Armor maintenance and checkpoints

In addition to daily care, regular inspection and maintenance are also important. Make it a habit to check your equipment before and after practice.

Inspection timing

• After each practice (basic check)
• Once a week (detailed check)
• Before a match or examination (general inspection)

Key checkpoints for each piece of armor

Face Checkpoints

Kote checkpoint

Torso checkpoint

Checkpoints for Tare

Timing and criteria for repairs

8. Summary: Top-class people take good care of their tools

(Image: All Japan Kendo Federation)

Ryoichi Uchimura, a kendo legend, is known for treating his protective gear with great care. Baseball player Ichiro Suzuki also once said, "All top players take good care of their equipment. Those who treat their equipment carelessly will never become top players."

Three reasons to treasure your armor

1. Leads to technical improvement

Well-maintained bogu will always be in the best condition, allowing you to concentrate on training and matches without worrying about malfunctions.

2. Supporting a long kendo career

The habit of taking good care of your equipment is essential for continuing to practice kendo for a long time. By continuing to use the same equipment carefully, you will develop a deeper attachment to it and maintain your passion for kendo.

3. Develop your humanity

Taking care of your equipment leads to taking care of people and things. Just like practicing kendo, caring for your armor is also a part of character development.

Summary of this article

Kendo equipment is not cheap, but with proper care, it will last a long time. Incorporate the methods introduced in this article into your daily routine and enjoy a fulfilling kendo life with your beloved equipment.

If you have any problems with maintenance or repair of your armor,

At the BUSHIZO Shibuya showroom, we offer a wide range of support, from advice on how to care for your armor to repairs and cleaning. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, no matter how trivial.

Last Updated Date: 2025/12/12