How to properly care for your kendo mask? Secret techniques taught by a professional

Among all the kendo armor, the men require particularly delicate care.
Because it is made up of a combination of multiple materials, such as metal faceplate, leather edge, and cotton futon, many people may be wondering, "Can I wash it myself?" and "How should I care for it?"

This time, we asked Mikiya Tsuyuki, president of Musashibo, which operates "Kensen," a specialized cleaning service for kendo armor, to give us a detailed explanation of the correct way to care for a kendo mask at home.
A thorough explanation of the secrets to keeping your mask fresh, from how to wash it to how to spin it and dry it. international success.

📌 What you'll learn in this article

Specific methods for washing a kendo mask at home
Tips for washing without damaging the edges
How to properly spin dry your washing machine
Efficient drying methods and precautions
Tips for caring for the men's strings and latches

Click here for the explanatory video

This article is a transcript and detailed explanation of the contents of the YouTube video below, "BUSHIZO TV 'Kensen' Secret Techniques #06."
Please watch the video to see the actual care process.

※Video link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4HwKDj6B-g

How to wash a kendo mask | Basic steps

Things to prepare

Neutral detergent (kitchen detergent or detergent for delicate fabrics)
soft sponge
A large container or tub
Lukewarm water (30-35°C)
Several bath towels (to use when spin-drying)

Step 1: Prepare the surface and apply detergent

Tsuyuki:"Is hand-stitching okay?"

──"Oh, it's so soft."

Tsuyuki:"It's soft, isn't it? It's easy to grip. This one is hard because I haven't touched it at all yet, but you'll see when you shake it."

──"Oh, you're right. It's completely different."

First, check the areas of the surface that are prone to getting dirty.
The areas that are particularly prone to staining are:

jaw area(The area where sweat soaks in the most)
内側全体(The area where your cheeks and forehead touch)
The forehead area is relatively clean

Tsuyuki:"Most of the dirty areas on the mask are on the chin. The areas I'm concerned about are the chin and the inside. My forehead isn't very dirty."

Spray a mild detergent directly onto the surface:
・Spray on the chin area
・Spray on the inside as well
Leave it for about a minute to let the detergent penetrate.

Step 2: Soak in water (important point)

Fill a large container or bathtub with lukewarm water (30-35°C).

⚠️ Important Note

Do not use leftover bath water(Because it contains the same components as sweat)
The optimum water temperature is 30 to 35 degrees.(Just warm water. Hot water will damage the leather.)
Avoid wetting the edges of the surface as much as possible(Avoid prolonged immersion in water)

Tsuyuki:"Leftover bath water is not good. It's the same as sweating while doing kendo."

──"I'll add some new water."

Tsuyuki:"That's right. Temperature is also important. It's the same with the gloves, but if it's too hot it will damage the leather. Around 30 to 35 degrees. Basically, as long as it's around body temperature it's the same situation so I think it's acceptable."

Tips for avoiding getting the edges wet

Image showing the position of the face edge

The menbuchi is the leather part that covers the outside of the mengane.
This part is particularly delicate, and if it is left in water for a long time, the leather will become swollen and damaged.

Tsuyuki:"If possible, I'd like to prevent water from getting on the edge of the veranda here. It's not a problem if it gets on a little."

──"Is it better not to wear face money or anything?"

Tsuyuki:"The metal itself is fine, but the edges of the mask... when the vermilion and black paint on these edges starts to peel off, the bare leather is exposed and it absorbs water like crazy. This causes the leather to become too soft, which can really damage the leather."

Water level guideline:
The water level should come just before the seam on the edge of the face.
It is not a problem if it touches the edge of the surface for a short period of time, but it should be avoided as much as possible.

Tsuyuki:"If it's painted nicely, it's okay if it's slightly covered, but I think it's best not to get this edge wet when washing it at home."

Step 3: Soak (about 5 minutes)

When you immerse the surface in water, the air inside escapes and bubbles appear.
When the bubbles stop, it means the water has penetrated inside.

Tsuyuki:"About 5 minutes. Once the bubbles stop, the water has penetrated inside."

──"That's about five minutes?"

Tsuyuki:"About five minutes. After about five minutes, when the bubbling stops, use a soft sponge to lather it up in the same way as before."

Estimated soaking time:
-Soak for about 5 minutes
・It's ready when no more bubbles appear
- Avoid soaking for long periods of time as this will damage the leather.

Step 4: Wash with a sponge

Wash gently with a soft sponge:

outside:Lightly stroke (do not rub hard)
Inside:Wash the dirty area thoroughly
Around the ears:It is easy for sebum to accumulate, so be careful.

Tsuyuki:"Just lightly stroke the outside, and clean the dirty areas inside. You can use a scrubbing brush on areas around the ears where oils have gotten in, but it might be fine on the inside."

💡 Tip: If the inside is particularly dirty, you can use a scrubbing brush, but be gentle with a soft sponge on the outside.

Step 5: Rinse (Important Step)

Rinsing is a particularly important step.
Be sure to rinse thoroughly as any detergent remaining can cause odors.

Tsuyuki:"Rinse thoroughly. Rinse thoroughly on the outside as well, but the areas that get a lot of sweat are the cheeks and chin, so rinse thoroughly there."

──"Shower?"

Tsuyuki:"A shower would be good. I'll rinse it off in the shower."

Rinse Instructions:

Rinse thoroughly from the inside with a shower
Pay particular attention to the cheeks and chin areas
Don't forget to rinse the outside too
Rinse from the inside as well as the top

Tsuyuki:"If you only rinse from the top, the remaining residue will accumulate on the inside. So, if you rinse the inside thoroughly, you can get rid of the odor quite well."

Tsuyuki:"This area from the chin onwards is where the dirt accumulates the most when you sweat. This is where the sweat soaks in the most."

⚠️ It's okay if the edges get a little wet at this stage. Unlike soaking, the water will just run off and cause less damage to the leather.

Do you use conditioner or not?

──"Do I need to rinse my men like I do my kote?"

Tsuyuki:"Oh, I think it's okay to do that. It will be moisturized. The damage to this leather part will also be softened if it is moisturized."

If using a rinse:
・Use diluted fabric softener or hair conditioner
- Moisturizing effect on leather can be expected
- Maintains the softness of the surface
・Rinse thoroughly after use

How to dehydrate a kendo mask | The correct way to do it using a washing machine

The importance of dehydration

Drying time will vary greatly depending on whether or not you dehydrate.

Difference in drying time depending on whether dehydration is used or not

With dehydration:Dries in about a day and a half
No dehydration:It takes about two and a half days
Difference: Can be shortened by about one day

Tsuyuki:"It would be better to dehydrate the face as well if possible..."

──"Do you mean spin-drying the washing machine?"

Tsuyuki:"Just spin the water out in the washing machine. But if you're using a washing machine that doesn't fit the face, you'll have to hang it out like this, so it'll probably take about two and a half days to dry."

Washing machine spin-drying procedure

⚠️ Note: This product cannot be used with drum-loading washing machines. Only top-loading washing machines can be used.

Preparation for dehydration

Prepare 2-3 bath towels
Stuff the inside of the mask with a bath towel(Prevents deformation)
Wrap the entire face in a bath towel
Stuff towels and sponges into the gaps in the washing machine drum.(for fixing)
Completely fix the surface so that it does not move

Tsuyuki:"For spin-drying, drum-type machines won't work, but if you have a vertical machine, spin it for about a minute. Wrap it in a towel, and if there are any gaps in the washing machine, stuff towels or sponges like this into the gaps as well, to prevent the surface from moving and the machine from losing its shape, and spin-dry for one minute."

Dehydration time: Within 1 minute
Spinning for a long time can cause the shape to become distorted, so stop within one minute.

Tsuyuki:"Sometimes when I see videos on YouTube of the face spinning around in the washing machine, I think, 'Wow, is this okay?'"

──"You mean stuffing bath towels around it?"

Tsuyuki:"That's right. Pack it in and fix it. Then fix it into the mask shape you like. If you drain it for less than a minute, it will dry pretty quickly, just like a kote. For a mask, it would take about a day and a half."

If you can't use a washing machine

If your washing machine does not fit the face, or only has a drum-type washing machine, you can dry the clothes using the following method:

Wrap the entire face in a bath towel
Press gently from above to absorb the moisture
Dry the clothes using a fan or air circulator.

How to dry your kendo mask | Tips for drying efficiently and quickly

Why does a washed surface dry quickly?

According to President Tsuyuki,A washed surface dries faster than a wet surface after practice.That's right.

Tsuyuki:"Because the salt, sweat, and sebum are removed, it dries faster than after practice, even if you're soaked."

──"Oh yeah, is that so?"

Tsuyuki:"That's right. What I have experience with is when you're at a training camp and you have to hang out the clothes soaking wet. And then they're still wet at the next practice session."

──"I'm wet, I'm wet."

Tsuyuki:"But when I wash it, it's surprisingly dry by the time of the next practice."

──"I see."

Tsuyuki:"That's because of salt and other things... salt wants to hold on to moisture, so it doesn't evaporate. If you remove that and there's only water, it will evaporate quickly, but the salt gets in the way and tries to hold on to moisture, so it doesn't dry well."

Scientific reasons:
The salt and sebum contained in sweat have the property of retaining moisture, so if you hang it out to dry without washing it, it will take longer to dry.
Washing removes these components, leaving only pure water, which evaporates faster.

How to hit the wind (the most important point)

When using a fan or air circulator, it is important to direct the air in the right direction.

──"Is there any particular way to expose it to the wind?"

Tsuyuki:"Yeah. As expected. I'll give you a hit from my side."

──"Inward?"

Tsuyuki:"Yes. Point it inwards. In particular, point it towards your chin, so the wind will flow through."

Efficient drying method

Blow air from the inside(Not from the outside)
Focus on the chin and forehead areas(The thickest cotton part)
Use a fan or air circulator
Dry in a well-ventilated place
Avoid direct sunlight (it will damage the leather)

Tsuyuki:"The cotton is thickest on the chin and forehead, so if you just place it there, the air will flow through and dry it."

干し方

Best hung using an S hook.

Tsuyuki:"The best way to hang it is with an S-hook."

──"It looks like it's hanging there."

Tsuyuki:"That's right. I'll hang him like that."

Hang the men string using an S-hook.
Choose a well-ventilated location
Avoid direct sunlight
Even if you dry clothes indoors, a fan is enough.

How to wash the menhimo and precautions

The men's strings can be washed without removing them.

──"Should I remove these things when washing?"

Tsuyuki:"We wash them together. There's no problem with doing it together."

──"And the men's strings?"

Tsuyuki:"The men's strings are quite soaked with sweat, so I thought it might be okay to wash them together."

How to wash the menhimo:
・Can be washed together with the face mask
・It is not very dirty, so just rinse it thoroughly with water.
- Rinse with water rather than rubbing to prevent color fading.

Be careful not to damage the latch

A latch is a reinforcing part on the front side of the mask.
This area is prone to absorbing sweat and is also prone to damage.

Tsuyuki:"From the inside, this is where dirt tends to accumulate the most. On the outside, there is a latch here, and this is where it gets damaged the most, as it absorbs sweat."

──"I've heard that some people have trouble with it."

Tsuyuki:"It cuts quite well."

When and why latches are prone to breaking

Tsuyuki:"Right now, when pollen comes out, it's the driest time of the year, and the boots get soaked and dried over and over again, becoming quite brittle and damaged. When they suddenly absorb water, they expand and snap off. If I start practicing now and sweat a lot, the latch could snap right in the middle of my practice."

Times when latches are likely to break:
・Early spring (pollen season)
・Dry season
After repeated wetting and drying

💡 If the latch breaks, have it repaired at an armor store. Using it in this state could damage the entire mask.

About the surface used in the experiment

The mask used in this explanation was actually used by President Tsuyuki's son and was made by Shobudo 14 to 15 years ago.

Tsuyuki:"It's pretty old-fashioned, isn't it?"

──"Oh, the latch on this one has broken."

Tsuyuki:"Yes. It's broken. The latch is coming from above, so it might be a good idea to have an armorer fasten it."

It has not lost its shape even after 15 years of use.This shows that with proper care and storage, the mask can last a long time.

Tsuyuki:"This is for testing purposes. But it doesn't lose its shape very well."

──"It's a nice shape."

Tsuyuki:"It's a nice shape. It looks like something middle school students would like."

Summary: Important points for caring for your kendo mask

✅ Face Care Checklist

detergent:Use a mild detergent (for kitchen use or delicate clothing)
water temperature:30-35 degrees (about body temperature)
Soaking:About 5 minutes (until bubbles stop)
Face edge:Avoid prolonged immersion in water
rinse:Firmly from the inside
dehydration:1 minute in a vertical washing machine (secure with a bath towel)
dry:Blow air from the inside
How to dry:Hang it with an S-hook
Direct sunlight:avoid
Drying time:About a day and a half with dehydration

FAQ

Q1. Can I wash it with leftover bath water?

A. No, do not use leftover water. It contains the same compounds as sweat, so we recommend using fresh water.

Q2. Can I spin the clothes in a drum-type washing machine?

A. No, it cannot be used in a drum-loading washing machine. Only top-loading washing machines can be used.

Q3. What should I do if the edge of the surface gets wet?

A. It's okay if it gets a little wet when rinsing, but avoid soaking it in water for a long time.

Q4. How often should I wash it?

A. Depending on how often you use it, you should wash it about once or twice a month. If the smell bothers you, you can wash it more frequently.

Q5. What should I do if I don't have a washing machine?

A. Use a bath towel to absorb the excess water and then dry it using a fan. If you do not use a spin dryer, it will take about two and a half days.

Professional Kendo Armor Cleaning Service

BUSHIZO offers specialized cleaning for kendo armor.

For those who are worried about washing it themselves, want to thoroughly clean it, or want to revive the old surface,
Kendo Armor Specialist Cleaning "Kensen"You can use the following services.

Characteristics of Kensen Cleaning

Careful cleaning by a craftsman specializing in kendo armor
Suitable for all types of men, kote, do and tare
Special cleaning technology that does not damage protective gear
Deodorizing and disinfecting effects
Leather repair and re-dyeing also available

At Musashibo "Kensen", run by President Tsuyuki, who gave us a talk,
We offer professional cleaning services with years of experience and expertise.

*For details about cleaning services, fees, and how to apply, please contact BUSHIZO.
*Business hours and reception status may change, so please check in advance.

Click here for details on Kendo Armor Cleaning

Final thoughts

This time, we asked President Tsuyuki of Kensen, a cleaning service specializing in kendo armor, to give us a detailed explanation on the correct way to care for kendo masks.

When it comes to surfaces that have metal or leather on them, you may be wondering, "How do I wash them?" or "Can I wash them myself?"
Do not immerse the edge in water for a long period of time.I found that it was surprisingly easy to wash as long as I was careful.

Also, if you wrap it in a bath towel, you can dehydrate it in the washing machine.
I was also surprised to find that the washed surface dried faster than the wet surface after practice.

next time,How to repair the edgePresident Tsuyuki will continue to provide further explanation on this matter.
Please look forward to it!

For article inquiries:
BUSHIZO Shibuya Showroom
*Please check the official website for details such as opening hours.

FOLLOW US

FOLLOW US

How to properly care for your kendo mask? Secret techniques taught by a professional