About Mine Bogu

What is different about this bogu? Though offering a wide variety of kendo and kendo related equipment, Chibabogu.com's flagship product is the next generation Mine bogu set. The Mine bogu is truly customizable, made-to-order according to the wishes and needs of the customer. Without regard to fancy style or unnecessary elements, we have strived to offer the best basic design, with full freedom to customize decorative features and level of materials relative to environment, to provide the serious kendo practioner with the best possible bogu, for use on a daily level, at an attainable price. Made from high-quality materials used in tezashi (hand-stitched bogu) and by using a special machine sewing process, the result is a futon (padded cushion portion) with the flexibility of expensive hand-stitched padding. This makes for comfortable wear, while offering durable protection; the prized qualities of hand-stitched kendo armor. The six millimeter pitch sewing pattern is the same stitch-width as 2-bu tezashi, or #2 width hand stitched cushion, long known for its good balance of comfort and protection. The cloth and leather components are dyed with real Japanese aizome (indigo dye). In addition to aizome’s resistance to mold and mildew, known since pre-modern times, this kendo equipment will age with a subtle patina, the soft blue hues of which are normally associated with hand-made armor. The forehead and chin pads inside the men have moisture barriers sewn in, extending to attachment points in the underlying construction of the men. This prevents sweat from permeating to the lacquered leather attachments of the ago (throat protector), and the lacquered leather ring binding the men-gane (face-grill) significantly adding to longevity. This also serves to diminish the amount, or altogether stop, the appearance of salt-stains arising in these areas after heavy practice. Edges are sewn with a pitch tighter than 6 millimeter as the tighter stitch make the edges stiffer causing them to hold shape better. This technique is borrowed directly from the crafting of hand-stitched armor. The padding components inside of the futon are specially selected for their protection and durability traits. The men and kote padding, where strikes are encountered the most, are layered with different materials to provide for protection, durability, and resistance to sweat. The kote kashira, or hand-knuckle portion, are filled with deer hair. Deer hair is the best filler for kote as the fragile hairs break into smaller pieces with wear, resulting in a form-fit of the glove to the individual wearer, while retaining good protective qualities. The palms are of cured deer skin, a feature usually found only in more expensive hand made sets. The stitching in the wrist articulation has been kept simple and thin for a purpose. The thin lines of stitching are more flexible and create less of an impediment to free movement of the wrist joint than thick braided decorative lines. Thick braided lines can be made as a custom request, however. The right kote has an extra layer of padding added, as strikes to this kote are prevalent. This feature can be included in the left kote for customers that regularly employ jodan-no-kamae, to give some extra protection to that exposed left hand. The tare padding is also different: selected for good flexibility to ensure comfortable wear, while maintaining firmness and good shape-keeping properties. One of the most important aspects of the Mine set is the thought applied to, and resulting design of the tare. The tare has been keep simple, but that belies the most important characteristics of good tare design: flexibility as well as protection. Most kendo practitioners, even seasoned teachers, believe that hard and stiff is the best; however, a supple tare that allows un-hindered breathing, and free movement - as close as it comes to wearing nothing at all, is a real joy for the serious kendo practitioner. In any case, we have re-refined this design over and over again to provide the best functon, and can embellish it with any custom features that you may require. All Mine bogu orders are custom-made from the very beginning, according to customer specifications. Orders require six to 10 weeks to produce. Full payment is required at time of order.