Armor can generally be used for a long time, but it will need to be disposed of when it deteriorates or when new armor is purchased. Armor is different from general trash, so some people may be unsure how to dispose of it. In this article, we will introduce various ways to dispose of armor.

Can you repair it before disposing of it?

Kote deteriorate quickly, so it is relatively easy to know when to dispose of them.

However, since the mask, do, and tare do not deteriorate quickly, it can be difficult to decide when to dispose of them. If you are unsure whether to dispose of them, why not first consider whether they can be repaired? Most repairs can be done at a bogu shop. Scuffs on the shoulders on the back of the mask cushion, tears in the kote cushion, and holes in the inside of the hand can be repaired.

There are also kits available for repairing the gauntlets yourself. You can also replace worn out leather or torn strings. If the entire armor is faded, you can re-dye it yourself by purchasing genuine indigo dye.

With the increase in inexpensive armor, it may be cheaper to buy new armor than to repair it. If you have an armor that you are attached to, don't just think about disposing of it, but consult with an armor store. It's not too late to think about disposing of it after that.

Disposal method

There are many reasons why you may need to dispose of your protective gear, such as the repair cost being higher than buying a new one, or it being severely deteriorated. However, even if you no longer use the protective gear, you may feel guilty about simply throwing away the protective gear that protected your body.

Throwing it away is easy, so we will introduce disposal methods other than throwing it away as garbage.

1. Purchase

Nowadays, there are many types of stores that specialize in buying protective gear. Some regular recycle shops will also buy protective gear.

There are three main ways to buy: in-store purchase, on-site purchase, and mail-order purchase. If there is a store nearby, the smoothest way is to bring your armor directly to the store for purchase. If there is no store nearby or if bringing your armor to the store is too much of a hassle, you can have them come to your home for an on-site purchase, or send your armor via mail-order purchase, which will save you money.

It's also convenient for dojos, schools, and other organizations that want to dispose of a large amount of protective gear. Most stores will provide a free appraisal before sending the gear, so you can cancel if you're not happy with the price. On the other hand, if you don't mind the appraisal price, there are also stores that will take the gear for free even if it doesn't have a price tag.

This is recommended for those who don't want to spend money on disposal and are hoping to make a little money. 

2. Donations

There are also organizations that donate protective gear. The donations go to a variety of destinations, such as for loan to new kendo students or to developing countries overseas where supplies are in short supply.

 There will be a small fee for shipping when sending to an organization, but it's not a complicated process as all you have to do is pack the armor and send it.

 This donation project is especially essential for spreading kendo overseas. The International Kendo Federation, which aims to promote the international spread of kendo, has 57 member countries (as of 2015), but even among these, only a few countries have armor shops. Even if we want to increase the number of kendo practitioners around the world, it is difficult to do so without armor.

For countries that cannot afford protective gear, the protective gear that would be discarded in Japan can still be used. The All Japan Kendo Federation also donates protective gear to other countries in order to promote kendo overseas.

 To help spread kendo internationally, why not consider donating any armor that is still usable? The armor you were planning to dispose of may be appreciated somewhere in the world. It's a dream come true to think that someone in the world could use the armor you used.

3. Transfer

A slightly more familiar option than donation is to give it to someone else. Especially in the case of children, there are cases where clothes are still usable but no longer fit, so they have no choice but to get rid of them.

If your sibling does kendo, you can hand it down, or if you go to a dojo, you can give it to a younger child. However, it can be dangerous if the size is not right, so make sure to check that the size is right before giving it to them.

Some deterioration is inevitable, but try to remove as much dirt and odor as possible and hand over the item in a condition that the recipient can use comfortably.

4. memorial service

There is also armor made from animal skins, such as deerskin.

If you want to dispose of your belongings with gratitude, we recommend having them memorialized at a shrine. If you would like to have them memorialized, it is a good idea to ask a nearby shrine. If you have a shrine you are familiar with, it will be easier to consult with them.

When you do, don't forget to prepare a proper thank-you gift. A token of gratitude is fine, but expressing gratitude will make it easier to request a memorial service in the future, and is also necessary for maintaining a smooth relationship with the shrine. There are also cases where a Shinto priest is called in and a memorial service is held at the dojo. Some people hold their own memorial service in their own garden, offering incense (note: in some areas, bonfires are prohibited by ordinance. If you wish to hold a memorial service at home, be sure to check the ordinances in your area before doing so).

There are also several dojos that are asking for donations to be burned. Nowadays, it is common to be able to buy protective gear and practice kendo, but it takes a lot of hard work from many people, including the lives of animals, to make a single piece of protective gear.

Holding a memorial service for armor may be an effective way to dispose of it, so that the children who will be the next generation of kendo professionals do not forget to be grateful.

Throwing it away is the last resort

For various reasons, some people may want to throw it away without reusing it. In that case, follow the waste separation method of your city, town, or village. Everything except the mask can be disposed of as burnable waste. The mask is made of metal, so if possible, separate it, but if not, dispose of it as bulky waste.

Summary

There are various ways to dispose of armor, but most can be recycled. If you have used armor for many years, you are probably quite attached to it. If possible, why not choose an option other than throwing it away? Armor that would otherwise be thrown away may be appreciated in a new place. If you are thinking of disposing of your armor, please consider reusing it.