Important points to remember when caring for your kendo equipment

This is the ninth installment of our series in which we speak with Mr. Mikiya Tsuyuki, president of Musashibo "Kensen," a cleaning service specializing in kendo armor.

So far, President Tsuyuki has given us eight lectures on the general maintenance of kendo equipment, and in this final installment, he has given us some professional advice on the things to keep in mind when caring for your kendo equipment.

──Kensen-san is cheap, isn't he?

Tsuyuki : " Now I just want to spread the word."

--Oh, to spread the word?

Tsuyuki : Yes. It's to spread the word that kendo equipment can be washed. I'd actually like to receive a few more.

──That's right.

Tsuyuki : " I'd like a little more."

──In terms of the quantity and quality of work, right?

Tsuyuki : Yes. Considering the work process, I would have liked a little more.

──Yes, I think so.

Tsuyuki : " I'll try a little harder to let people know that it's washable now."

Be careful with deodorants

Tsuyuki : Oh, and there's one other thing you shouldn't do. Using too much deodorant. Most deodorants contain fragrances, don't they? When two smells mix together, they turn into a completely different smell.

──I understand.

Tsuyuki : " Do you understand? It's quite common to smell something incredible, something you've never smelled before, coming from the gloves or the mask."

──Is there?

Tsuyuki : " If I hadn't used the deodorant, it would have been much easier to remove."

--Oh , so if it's brought to you afterwards, is it difficult to get it out?

Tsuyuki : " It's quite difficult. In addition to the fragrance, there's also a binder-like substance that adheres the smell, so it sticks, or rather, it makes it difficult to remove from the fibers. In essence, deodorants also contain substances that make it easier for the ingredients to stay in place, so when that mixes with the smell of sweat, it can be quite a problem."

──So, what about something like an unscented disinfectant spray?

Tsuyuki : " Basically, impurities or unnecessary substances are used on the armor, so they accumulate. This can cause damage to the armor, so I think the best way to prevent odors is to avoid using such substances as much as possible and to dry the armor properly. Make sure to dry it thoroughly."

Drying Technique

--So, what about putting a desiccant inside the armor bag when you leave it there?

Tsuyuki: " Silica gel might be okay. Silica gel is often found in food."

──Would it be a good idea to put it in, for example, an armor bag?

Tsuyuki : " That's true. If you put it in, it will remove moisture. Silica gel, which quickly absorbs moisture, might be better. It's quite good. If you put it in shoes, for example, it won't absorb moisture, so it lasts longer and doesn't get smelly. Silica gel might be better. However, with kendo equipment, if there are a lot of damp spots, it won't be able to remove all the moisture. It depends on the effectiveness of the agent."

Ideal cleaning frequency

How often do you think it's best to wash it?

Tsuyuki : " I think it depends on the amount of practice. For example, if you practice every day, five or seven days a week, I think it's best to wash it about once every three months. At the very least, once every six months. If not, I think it will last quite a long time if you wash the dirty parts once every six months to once a year."

--Will washing it too frequently affect its durability?

Tsuyuki : " I don't think there's a problem with durability. Rather than washing it too much, not washing it at all is more of a durability problem. For example, holes appear on the inside of the kote because the shinai rubs against something dirty with oils and other contaminants. That's how the holes appear. It's like the effect of sandpaper. The friction causes holes. So if you can remove that dirt, the period during which the holes appear will be extended."

Tsuyuki : " Someone in the dry cleaning industry did an experiment with socks. They washed one pair every day, and wore the other pair all the time. As for which pair would get holes first, it was the pair that they wore all the time. The reason for this is that dirt damages the fibers. In particular, when socks are rubbed or beaten, a lot of dirt and other unwanted substances get into the fibers, which creates strong friction and causes holes. So washing them leaves only the fibers, and they last longer."

Tsuyuki : " Also, the daily care of drying it can cause it to smell."

──You don't just leave it in your armor bag, right?

Tsuyuki : " That's right. I feel like I need to let it all out properly."

summary

This time, as a summary of all nine sessions, we were given an explanation of the important points to take care of when caring for kendo equipment.

Click here for the explanatory video → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyLJgjGlvtw&t=7s

After listening to President Tsuyuki's talk over the course of nine sessions, I realized that kendo equipment can last a long time if it is cared for properly.

As you mentioned at the end, the key point is "dryness."

From now on, I would like to take the armor out of the armor bag properly after practice and also try cleaning the kendo equipment.

Thank you for your cooperation, President Tsuyuki.

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