[2026 Edition] A Complete Guide to the Names of Kendo Equipment (Bokugo) | A Detailed Explanation of the Men, Kote, Do, and Tare Parts

From those just starting out in kendo to those who have been practicing for many years, correctly understanding the names of each part of kendo equipment (bogu) will help deepen your understanding of the equipment and aid in proper maintenance and communication when purchasing.

This article will provide a detailed explanation of the structure, role, and materials of each part of the kendo equipment: men, kote, do, and tare, based on the official names of the All Japan Kendo Federation. This knowledge will be useful when consulting about purchasing equipment at a martial arts equipment store or when requesting repairs.

table of contents

• What is Kendo Equipment (Armor)?
• Basic terms for understanding kendo equipment
• Names of each part of the mask
• Names of the parts of a kote (trowel)
• Names of the parts of the torso
• Names of the parts of the tare
• How to choose and maintain kendo equipment
• Summary

What is Kendo Equipment (Armor)?

Kendo equipment is the general term for the equipment used to protect the body from strikes during kendo practice and matches. The All Japan Kendo Federation officially calls it "kendo equipment," while the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology also uses the term "bogu."

Kendo equipment consists of four parts: the men (men), kote (kote), do (do), and tare (tare), each of which has the role of protecting a different part of the body.

The four components of kendo equipment

Basic terms for understanding kendo equipment

Before understanding each part of kendo equipment, we will explain some basic terminology you should know.

Futon

This is the basic fabric structure of kendo equipment, and is made up of a core material, navy blue cloth, and navy blue leather, and serves to absorb and mitigate the impact of a strike. The quality of the cloth greatly affects the durability and comfort of the armor.

Core material

This is a material that is put inside the futon to increase its strength and shock absorption. Traditionally, felt or cotton batting was used, but nowadays nonwoven fabrics, special materials with deodorizing properties, and shape-memory materials are also used.

Dark blue cloth

This is indigo-dyed cotton fabric. Numbers such as "7,000" are called "count numbers" and indicate the density of the fabric. The higher the count number, the thicker the fabric will be, with finer and more densely woven threads, and the more durable it will be.

Navy blue leather

It is made from tanned deerskin that has been dyed with indigo, and is mainly used for the outer layer of armor. Deerskin is flexible and durable, and the more you use it, the more it will become comfortable in your hand.

Hand-stitched

This is a method in which craftsmen stitch each stitch by hand. It takes time and skill, so it is expensive, but the finished product is beautiful and durable. The stitch width is expressed as "1 minute 5 rin", and the smaller the number, the finer the stitch. It is preferred by high-ranking craftsmen and for competitions and judging.

Machine stitching

This method involves stitching with a sewing machine, and is relatively inexpensive compared to hand stitching because it takes less time to complete. The stitch width is measured in millimeters, such as "6 mm," and just like hand stitching, the smaller the number, the finer the stitch. In recent years, a technique called "pitch stitching," which uses longer needles, has been used to achieve a texture similar to hand stitching.

Names of each part of the mask

The men are the most complex piece of protective gear for kendo, protecting the head, face, and throat. They are precisely made to ensure both visibility and safety.

①Menbuton (Face Cover)

It is a single piece of futon that covers the shoulders and the top of the head. It is made by folding a single sheet of fabric into the shape of a men, and is an important part that absorbs the impact of a strike. The core material is made of compressed cotton, felt, felt, Clarino, etc., and the exterior is made of navy blue leather (indigo-dyed deerskin), woven stitching, navy blue cloth, etc.

② Mengane (faceplate)

It is a metal lattice-like part that protects the face. It consists of a "daiwa" (base ring) that makes up the outer periphery, one "tategane" (vertical metal piece), and 14 "yokogane" (horizontal metal pieces) that run horizontally (13 for boys).

In the past, iron and stainless steel were the norm, but because they were heavy and put strain on the neck, lightweight materials such as duralumin (a light alloy), titanium, and all-titanium are now mainly used. The inside is painted red to let in light and brighten the field of view.

③Monomi (lookout)

This is the area where the intervals between the horizontal metal bars are wider than the others to ensure visibility. Generally, the area between the sixth and seventh bars from the top (between the fifth and sixth bars for boys) is used as the lookout.

④Tsukidare (thigh) and chin

This part protects the throat and is an important part that can withstand thrusts. For this reason, it is made stronger than other parts and uses a core material with high shock absorption.

⑤Chin strap and latch

This is a leather string that connects the menfuton and the tsukidare. Because it needs to be strong, thick leather or Clarino material is used.

⑥Menhimo (threads)

This string secures the mask to the head. The appropriate length and how it is tied can greatly affect the stability of the mask.

⑦Menchikawa

These are leather parts for attaching the men's strings. Generally, they are attached to the fourth or fifth horizontal metal bar from the bottom, one on each side, and one men's string is passed through each.

8. Ear leather (mimikawa) and power leather (chikawa)

This gourd-shaped leather part reinforces the chin strap to prevent wear from repeated use.

⑨Menbuchi (edge)

This is the leather part that covers the connection between the metal mask and the mask cushion. It is made of buffalo leather and is painted black lacquer on the outside and red on the inside. This red color has the effect of letting in light and widening the field of view.

Buffalo leather becomes very hard when it dries, so craftsmen must complete the sewing while it is still wet, which requires advanced skills.

⑩ Fan

This is a ring-shaped part, approximately 5cm wide, placed inside the men to surround the mengane. It is made from materials such as soft velvet, highly breathable tetnit, and antibacterial and durable eye leather.

⑪Heaven

This is the part of the inside of the mask that touches your forehead. It is made of a material that absorbs sweat well and has just the right amount of cushioning.

⑫Earth

This is the part of the inside of the mask that rests against your chin. Like the top, it is made of a material that prioritizes comfort.

⑬Yojindare (guard)

This part is located behind the tsuki-tare and serves to cushion the impact of the thrust and provide double protection for the neck and throat if the thrust misses.

Names of the parts of a kote (trowel)

Kote is a protective gear that protects the hand and forearm, and is required to be both flexible so as not to hinder the movement of the hand gripping the shinai, and sturdy enough to protect the hand from strikes. The official name of the All Japan Kendo Federation is written as "kote," but it is also sometimes written as "kote," "kote," or "kote."

① Kotegashira

This part protects the fist and is made from materials such as deerskin, synthetic leather, and woven embroidery. The internal cushioning is made from synthetic fiber and deer hair.

While synthetic fibers are highly elastic, they are somewhat less durable. On the other hand, deer hair is stiff at first, but the more you use it, the more it conforms to the shape of your hand and is highly durable. Some kote-gashira are made with a larger kote-gashira on the right hand (the hand that receives the strike).

② Kera (baby)

It is the raised part between the kote-gashira and the tsuba, and is made harder to protect the wrist. There are one-stage and two-stage types, and there is also a type without a namako for boys.

③Kotebuton (small hand quilt)

The gauntlet is an important part of the arm where the sword is struck. It is made by folding a single piece of futon board into a cylindrical shape, and the core material is sewn together with navy blue cloth. The exterior is made of navy blue leather, woven stitching, navy blue cloth, etc.

④Tube

This is the wrist part that connects the kote head and kote futon. To ensure mobility at the wrist, it is made softer than other parts, but decorative threads are sewn in to increase durability.

⑤Yukiwa

This leather is sewn onto the area between the thumb and index finger, as well as the fingertips, where the tsuba of the shinai is likely to come into contact, in order to reinforce it. It prevents wear and tear and extends the life of the kote.

⑥Te no uchi (in hand)

The palm of the hand is where you grip the shinai, so it needs to be both flexible and durable. It is made from thin, non-slip, durable leather such as synthetic leather or Clarino.

⑦Kotehimo (hand strap)

This string ties the kote futon into a cylindrical shape. It plays an important role in maintaining the shape of the kote while ensuring mobility of the wrist.

Names of the parts of the torso

The torso is armor that protects the chest, abdomen, and underarms, and is made up of two main parts: the torso chest and the todai. It is highly decorative and can easily express individuality.

① Chest

This refers to the entire chest area of ​​the torso. It is made of a hard core covered with cowhide or deerskin, which acts as a non-slip barrier to prevent the bamboo sword from reaching the throat when thrust against the chest.

②Breast leather

These are ring-shaped leather parts attached to the upper part of the chest, one on each side. They are used to tie the torso strings when putting on the torso. Crozan leather is generally used.

3. Dawn (Shokkou) and Dawn (Shokkou)

This is a traditional embroidery pattern placed in the center of the torso. There are many different designs, including hanabishi (flower diamond), hemp leaf (hemp leaf), goban (go board), nami-chidori (wave-studded bird), and tortoise shell (kirku) patterns, and a wide variety of color combinations. This decoration is not just beautiful, but also embodies the techniques of traditional Japanese crafts.

④ Chest ornament

This is a decorative thread that surrounds the dawn light. It acts as a non-slip stopper for the tip of the sword. There are various types, such as Honun, Onigumo, and Tokyo S-shaped.

⑤Small chest and legs

The part of the torso chest that protects the flanks is called the komune. The legs are decorations placed on the komune, and there are usually one to three of them, and they are called "two legs." Toros for boys sometimes do not have a komune.

⑥Dochikawa (body breast leather) and Yotsuchikawa (four breast leather)

These are leather loops attached to the ends of the dodai, two on each side. They are used to secure the dohi (body straps) through them, and are made of black leather or synthetic leather.

⑦ Dodai (body stand)

The abdominal area of ​​the torso protects the abdomen and underarms from blows. There are the following types depending on the material:

・Fiber body:Made from compressed paper, it is lightweight and affordable, and is suitable for beginners to intermediate players.

・Yamato Body:Made from reinforced resin material, it offers a good balance of lightness and durability, and is currently the most popular type.

・Bamboo body:They are made by assembling 50 to 60 pieces of bamboo, pasting cowhide on them, and then applying lacquer to them. They have the highest shock absorption and durability, and are preferred by high-ranking players and judges, but they are heavy and expensive.

⑧Edge leather

This is the leather that covers the sides and bottom of the dodai when the dodai and dobusan are joined together. It protects the edges of the dodai from wear and tear. There are two types: "kaeshi-beri", where the leather is folded back, and "naked-cut", where the leather is left as is.

⑨ Dohimo (body string)

These strings secure the torso to the body, two on each side. The top one is long and the bottom one is short, and by tying them properly the torso will be in a stable position.

⑩ Leather binding

This is a leather part that secures the edge leather.

⑪ Nakawa

These rings were originally used to hang all the armor together. Nowadays, armor is stored in lockers or on shelves, so they are sometimes used to attach amulets.

Names of the parts of the tare

The tare is a piece of armor that protects the waist, lower abdomen, and thighs, and is made entirely of sashiko. It plays an important role in protecting the lower body when a strike to the torso misses.

① Front sash and belly band

This is the part that is worn around the waist. Because it is not the part that will receive strikes, fit is more important than durability, and it is made softer than other parts.

②Tarehimo (hanging cord) and tareobi (hanging sash)

This string is used to fasten the tare around the waist. Tightening it properly will stabilize the position of the tare and make it easier to move.

③Mountain path

This is a decorative string that connects the front obi to the ootare and kotare. It also serves as reinforcement.

④Decoration

This decorative thread is sewn onto the top of the otare, enhancing its appearance and also serving as reinforcement.

⑤Odare

Of the five tare, these are the three large tare at the front. They protect the front of the thighs and absorb the impact when a strike to the do misses. Decorative thread is sewn onto the top of the otare, and some products have a cushion inside.

⑥ Kotare

Of the five tare pieces, these are the two smaller ones at the back. They protect the sides of the thighs.

How to choose and maintain kendo equipment

Basics of choosing armor

When choosing your equipment, consider the following points:

purpose of usage:The quality required for practice, competition, and judging differs.

Skill level:Beginners should consider machine stitching, while intermediate and advanced users should consider hand stitching.

budget:Consider long-term use and select products of appropriate quality

Physique/Body Type:Be sure to try it on to check the size

At martial arts equipment stores, specialized staff will be able to give you detailed advice. If you understand the names of each part of the body, you will be able to give more specific advice.

Daily maintenance

surface:After use, wipe off any sweat from the mengane and inner ring, and dry them in the shade in a well-ventilated place. If the men strings become loose, adjust them as soon as possible.

Kote:Wipe away any sweat from your hands and store the kote-gashira in its original shape. The kote-gashira made with deer hair will be stiff at first, but will gradually become more comfortable in your hand.

Torso:Wipe off any dirt from the domusu and dodai with a dry cloth. Store lacquered bamboo dos out of direct sunlight.

Drop:Wipe off any sweat stains on the otare as soon as possible and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Precautions for long-term storage

If you will not be using the device for an extended period of time, please note the following:

• Allow to dry completely before storing
• Proper placement of insect repellents
• Avoid direct sunlight, high temperatures and humidity
• Ventilate regularly
• When storing armor in layers, be careful not to lose its shape.

Summary

We have provided a detailed explanation of the names and roles of each part of kendo equipment (armor), including the men, kote, do, and tare.

Kendo equipment is not just protective gear, but also a work of art that brings together the techniques of traditional Japanese crafts. By understanding the names of each part, you will develop a deeper attachment to your equipment and will treat it with more care.

This knowledge will surely be useful when visiting a martial arts equipment store, requesting repairs, or talking about bogu with fellow trainees. Knowing your equipment well and continuing to use it with care is what leads to the "spirit of cherishing your equipment" in kendo.

If you have any questions about purchasing or maintaining protective gear, please come to the BUSHIZO Shibuya showroom. Our experienced staff will help you choose the best protective gear for you.

Related article

For more information on kendo equipment, please see the following articles:

• Useful blog articles