Due to the coronavirus, I think most people have had to take a break from kendo for a while.

However, the self-restraint measures have finally been lifted, and in accordance with the guidelines from the All Japan Kendo Federation, it is becoming possible to practice against other people if wearing a face mask or face guard.

You might be thinking, "Yay! I can do kendo!" and want to rush off to practice, but wait a minute.

Is it okay to use a shinai that hasn't been used for a while? Is the string loose or is there some kind of problem? Using a shinai that has a problem can lead to serious accidents or injuries.

To ensure safe kendo practice, we have compiled information on how to inspect and adjust your bamboo sword.

On the other hand, there have been many cases where people take out their kendo equipment to practice and find that it's moldy!

In such cases, please refer to "How to prevent and deal with mold on kendo armor! Don't let your armor get moldy again! "

table of contents

Timing for inspection and adjustment of bamboo swords

How to check and adjust your Shinai

(1) Check the condition of the leather tip

(2) Check the condition of the bamboo

(3) Check the strings and knots

When mold grows on your bamboo sword

summary

Timing for inspection and adjustment of bamboo swords

Before and after practice, be sure to check your shinai to make sure it is in good condition. Also, while practicing, your shinai may start to break without you realizing it, so it is important to check the condition of your shinai frequently during practice.

How to check and adjust your Shinai

(1) Check the condition of the leather tip

If the tip of the leather has a hole or is about to tear, it must be replaced with a new one. If you continue to use it as is, there is a risk that the bamboo will come flying out, which is very dangerous.

(2) Check the condition of the bamboo

During training, the bamboo of a shinai may crack or develop splinters. Using it as is can be very dangerous and could injure your opponent or yourself, so it is important to carefully check the condition of the bamboo.

In this case, even if it looks fine from the outside, it may actually be cracked on the inside, so in addition to checking it from the outside, try crushing the bamboo vertically and horizontally with your fingers to check for cracks on the inside.

① If there are any frayed edges

Special tools like the one below are sold, so use them according to the instructions to remove any splinters.

② If it is cracked

It depends on the size of the crack.

If the crack is only small, you can remove it by scraping it away as in step 1, but if it is severely cracked or broken, you will need to replace the bamboo. Purchase a set of four bamboo sticks at a kendo equipment store and replace the amount you need to reassemble the shinai. Don't throw away the remaining bamboo; keep it safe as you can use it the next time the bamboo breaks.

(3) Check the strings and knots

Try pulling the string of the shinai with moderate force. If you can pull it as tight as shown in photo a, it is loose. (photo b shows the string with moderate tension)

a. Loose

b. Moderately taut

① If the string is loose, it may be because the handle leather has stretched. In this case, tighten the string.

② If the strings are not loose, but the handle leather is loose, spinning around, or there is excess material at the end of the handle, push the handle leather in tighter.

However, once you insert the handle leather, the string will loosen, so you will need to tighten the string again as in step ①.

The handle leather is loose

The handle leather is rotating around

Insert the patterned leather

When checking the condition of the string, be sure to also check the condition of the knot. The knot is there to prevent the four bamboo pieces from coming apart. If it is loose or about to break, there is a risk that the tip leather will come off more easily, so if it is about to break, replace it with a new one, and if it is loose, retighten it.

In any case, when tightening the strings, we recommend that you also loosen the middle knot and tighten it again just to be safe.

When mold grows on your bamboo sword

Shinai can also get moldy if not stored properly. If you notice mold growing on the outside of your shinai, it is likely that mold has also grown on the inside, so we recommend taking the shinai apart and removing the mold.

summary

Although we tend to neglect this, inspecting and using your bamboo sword every time you practice will reduce the risk of injury to you and your opponent.

By checking the above points, we hope you can practice kendo safely and enjoyably.