Grip

Round - The standard round shinai grip. Most kendoka is most used to this as commonly how their first shinai was built.

Oval (koban) - 小判, named after the japanese oval coin, this type of grip is more akin to a katana's grip. It is preferred by those who are looking for instinctively feeling the hasuji (edge alignment) of the shinai, especially when attempting angled strikes like sayu-men or dou.

Balance

Standard - Basic and 1a grade shinai are made with standard weight distribution. Ideal for beginners and those who do not have a preference for shinai balance.

Dobari - 胴張 (lit. enlarged waist). These shinai has an enlarged and heavier waist, thereby adjusting the center of balance closer to the handle. The result is a shinai with high maneuverability which is popular among high school competitive kendo.

Koto - 古刀 (lit. Old sword). Also known as chokuto. Koto shinai has an even weight and thickness throughout the entire shinai. This lends to more powerful strikes and more tactility when crossing swords.

A Grades

The A grades seen on our shinai denotes the bamboo's weight distribution.

When the shinai manufacturer receives a batch of bamboo. Only a certain percentage can be made into specialised shinai (ie dobari, koto). Bamboo with lower A grades do not have the suitable shapes or grain to be made into specialised shinai. For example, only 30% is suitable for 2A shinai, and 15% for 3A.

The A grades has no measured difference when it comes to durability.

About us

Mitsuji kendogu was founded when we saw the price tag of western and japanese kendo equipment online stores. Our products and logistics are catered to the Asian market, giving you the best value to quality.