sumi

TENPUDO — Recommendation By Sumi Masatake 8th Dan Kyoshi

My view on the Hotaru Bogu

In summery I recommend the Hotaru bogu for the following characteristics:

1) Innovative angular design in the Men-dare (Men flaps), including the stitching

2) Innovative angular in the Tare hems (right and left side flaps).

3) The wrist stitching method used in the construction of the Kote.

When learning Kendo the aims are not only to improve and develop the technical aspects of fighting opponents but also to pursue both beauty and elegance through the presence and movement in a combat based environment. The wearing of Kendo-gi, Hakama and Bogu plays a large part in learning the latter.

Needless to say, Bogu should be made to protect the body from strikes and thrusts, but it should also be made to appear pleasing, elegant and comfortable, for which research needs to be undertaken and development implemented, in search of the more beautiful forms for those wearers who would desire a more noble presence when confronting an opponent.

In the Hotaru bogu designed by Mr Tashiro the Men- dare and Tare flaps left and right are the result of his research into the beauty of design evident in Kendo bogu. This is to say that it made perfect sense as with the traditional wearing of Hakama where the front is lower than the back, (which expresses a sense of attacking with pressure when in the standing position of Kamae, which is namely calm), to mirror this angular design in the Men-dare and side flaps of the Tare. This angular design helps to increase the sense of attacking even more without affecting or altering the use of Shinai or the body movement.

The left wrist plays one of the most important roles in Kendo as one is required to control this joint meticulously in order to make the correct striking movements.

When in Chudan-no-Kamae with Shinai and poised ready to make a correct strike, this joint is turned slightly inwards, this way one is utilising a correct Tenouchi grip. The subtle turning grip technique is only possible if one has the correct Kote equipment, which can provide the same flexibility to the joint as one would experience without wearing Kote.

Traditional Kote often comes with a hard wrist joint therefore wearers need to spend some time to make it flexible before it can be used correctly.

The wrist stitching method makes it possible for the wearer to use the Hotaru Kote as if it has been used for some time, and I believe that it is especially beneficial for junior, ladies and beginners for their transition from not wearing amour to wearing amour including Kote, as they will be more comfortable and experience smoother movement during this transition.

Masatake Sumi 8th Dan Hanshi

BUDOGU EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST