How to repair the edge of a kendo mask

This is the seventh in a series of interviews with Mr. Tsuyuki Mikiya, president of Musashibo "Kensen," a cleaning service specializing in kendo armor.

Last time, we asked about how to care for a kendo mask, and this time we continued to learn how to repair the edge of the mask.

Edge repair

露木　Oh, you might be able to see it being painted.

──Paint it?

露木　Ah, the edge here. It's painted on the edge.

--What do you paint?

露木　It's cashew. It's probably lacquer, but I think they're all cashew now.

--What are cashews?

露木　I think it's cashew nuts. It's cashew oil. Apply this to the edges of the pan. The red part is on the inside. The black part is black cashew.

──Why do you apply it here after washing?

露木　This is one of the options. It's a variation of dyeing, and the edges are also painted. It's optional.

As I said earlier, if the edges are peeling, moisture will get in and cause damage, which is the biggest problem. I think it will last longer if you keep the edges strong.

Should I apply it regularly?

露木　Yes, it's better to paint it. It's fine if it's just peeling a little, but if it's turned white, I think it's better to paint it with cashew oil, as it will make the leather stronger.

──Are cashews commercially available?

露木　Ah, these are already sold at home improvement stores for about 800 yen each.

露木　The craftsman will do it now.

Tsuyuki: This is really vermilion, isn't it? There's vermilion and red. The one I put over there earlier is red. You can tell when you line them up. The colors are subtly different.

──You're right. This looks orange.

露木　Yes, this is vermilion.

──Is this cashew?

露木　No, they're both cashews.

--Oh, so each one has its own color.

露木　Yes, the color is different.

Cashews also come in dozens of colors, including clear.

──Oh, I see.

So, after washing, if the paint gets even a little wet and soaks in, you have to reapply this paint to reinforce it?

露木　That's right. I think if you leave it for too long, it will deteriorate quickly. Surprisingly, edges are easily damaged.

──That's where you get hit.

露木　Yes. This one, too, has some peeling on the chin.

露木　That's right. Look here. This is what happens when you get hit.

──So should I paint this part with black cashew?

露木　Yes, I'll paint both. And red too.

──Shall we start painting now?

露木　Yes, I'll apply it. This area on my chin is also peeling off quite a bit due to sweat and other things.

──Can I take a picture?

露木　That's fine. Thank you, craftsman.

・First, apply the red cashew.

・Next, apply black cashew paint.

Just painting the edges will make it look completely different

This time, we will explain how to repair the edges.

Click here for the explanatory video →　https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2zUphIE-k4&t=8s

Peeling edges not only look bad, but if left untreated they can damage the leather inside, so it's best to paint them regularly.

I have tried painting it myself once, and although it was difficult to paint the inside and to paint the red and black edges neatly, it was a lot of fun.

Why don't you all give it a try?

Next time, we will continue to discuss indigo dyeing remakes. Please look forward to it!