Wearing the Bogu - The Kingston Kendo Club

Wearing the Bogu
S. D. inlan
May 3, 2012
Bogu: “Protective Armor”
Once a kendoka has advanced far enough into their training¹, they may
begin wearing the bogu during their practice.
Description of the Bogu
1
e time period required for a kendoka
to be considered ready to begin wearing
bogu is different among dojos but is usually
on the order of three to twelve months for
adults.
e bogu is the protective armor worn by a kendoka during a kendo
practice. It is essential that it is worn properly and kept in a good state of
repair as this is what protects the kendoka from injury.
Men. e men is the helmet worn by the kendoka.
Figure 1: Parts of the men.
Kote.
e kote are gloves worn to protect the hands and forearm.
Figure 2: Parts of the kote.
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Do. e do is the torso/abdomen protector.
Figure 4: Parts of the do.
Figure 3: ere is a third mune-chikawa on
the inside of the do.
Tare.
e tare is the waist protector.
Figure 5: Parts of the tare.
Preparing the Bogu for Use
Do. Aach the do-himo to the do-ikawa; long himo on the upper set,
short on the lower.
Figure 6: Aach the do-himo to the dochikawa.
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Preparing the Kote
Wrist & palm. Holding the forearm portion in one hand and the fist area
in another, bend and rotate the wrist area in circular motions. en wear
one kote and with your free hand stretch the palm and area between the
thumb and index finger.
Preparing the Tare
Tare.
Remove the shipping ties from the tare.
Aaching the Men Himo (Kanto/Kansai Style)
Place the men-ikawa at the
fourth men-yoko-gane from the
boom as shown. e men-himo
can be aached directly to the mengane if need be however, aside from
being esthetically pleasing, the menchikawa help prevent the himo from
tearing.
Pass the loop end of the men-himo
over both ends of the men-ikawa
and then pass the opposite end of
the men-himo through the slits of
the men-ikawa.
Pull the slack of the men-himo
through the slits to tighten it. Bring
the himo to the back of the men,
between the uppermost men-yokogane and men-tate-gane, then
to the back again as in figure 10.
Repeat this process for the other
himo.
e himo for kansai style are aached similarly however a special, single
men-ikawa is used at the top of the men-tate-gane.
Figure 8: Placing the men-chikawa.
Figure 7: Mold the kote, from [2].
Figure 9: Aaching the men-himo to the
men-chikawa.
Figure 10: read the himo (kanto).
Figure 11: Tighten the slack of the menhimo through the men-chikawa.
Figure 12: Kansai style men-chikawa and
himo.
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Preparing the Men
Method #1. Use the men-himo to tie the men-dare along the side of the
men pulling them forward so they overlap slightly on the front.
Figure 13: One method for molding the
men-dare.
Method #2. Tie the men-himo as if you were wearing it, and then store it
as shown in figure 14.
Figure 14: A second method of molding the
men-dare.
Method #2 takes longer for the men to
be broken in and molded properly. Many
people will use method #1 to initially crease
the men-dare, then change to method #2 to
finish.
Stowing the Bogu in a Bogu Bag
e following shows two ways² for stowing bogu depending on the style
of bogu bag used.
2
All Japan Budogu Association. Looking After Your Kendo Equipment (English Version).
Japan Budo Equipment Manufacturers
Association, 2003
Figure 15: Stowing the bogu in two types of
bogu bag.
e bogu bag is not for storing your bogu,
but for transportation only. Do not leave
your bogu in the bag; it must be aired out
properly in order for it to completely dry.
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Puing on the Bogu
Bogu is always put on and taken off in seiza and placed as in figure 16³.
Some of the examples are shown from standing for clarity.
Put on, remove, and adjust your bogu in
as lile time as possible; don’t keep others
waiting.
Figure 16: Siing in seiza with shinai to put
on the bogu.
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Figure 16 is a stylized representation of
how the bogu is set up. See p.⁇ for the full
details
Wearing the Tare
e tare serves to protect the waist, hips, and groin from being hit.
Bring the tare to your waist. Bring
the tare-himo (belts) to your back,
crossing them at the base of the
koshiita, and pulling them tight. Be
sure the tare-himo are not twisted.
is method for showing how to put on
the tare is shown from a standing position
v.s. seiza simply for clarity of the image.
Bogu ought to be put on or adjusted while
in seiza.
Figure 17: Wrap the tare himo around your
waist.
Figure 18: Tie the tare himo in a bow.
Bring them back to the front and
tie them in a bow underneath the
o-dare (large central flap) in the
front of the tare.
Figure 19: Properly worn tare.
Push the bow up and behind the
o-dare and ko-dare (small inner
flaps). Straighten out the hakama if
needed.
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Wearing the Do
e following is only one of many ways to tie the do.
Holding the do to your chest, bring
the long do himo aached on the
upper right side of the do across
your back to the le, and pull it
through the mune-ikawa (small
loop at top of do).
Figure 20: Bring the right do himo through
the le mune-chikawa.
Figure 21: Wrap the do himo around the
mune-chikawa.
Wrap the himo around to the back
of the mune-ikawa from the
right.
Figure 22: Make a loop with the excess
himo.
Make a loop with the excess himo
and bring it through the portion of
the himo you just wrapped around
the mune-ikawa, making a slipknot.
Pull the shoulder portion of the
do himo to tighten the slip-knot.
Bring the “tail” of the excess himo
through this loop, making another
slip-knot. is second loop should
be facing the le.
Figure 23: Make a second loop through the
do himo.
While fastening the do, the length of the
loop and the length of the excess himo
should be adjusted so that they are of the
same length. However, if this makes the
loops too large the loops should be made
an appropriate length, approximately 5cm
(2in), and the excess himo tucked behind
the do itself.
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Figure 24: Collapse the first loop to secure
the second.
Pull the himo such that the slipknot collapses and secures the
second loop.
Figure 25: Repeat the process for the other
side.
Repeat the same process using the
le-side do himo through the rightside mune-ikawa. e second
loop should face the right.
e loops made by the do himo should always point outward toward the shoulders,
not inward toward the chest regardless of
the method used to tie them.
Figure 26: Tie the short himo in a bow.
Tie the short do himo behind you
in a bow, making sure the bow lays
essentially horizontal not vertical.
ere should be some slack in the
himo.
e loops and excess himo aer you tie
both the short do himo and the inner and
outer keiko-gi himo should lay horizontally.
It is considered somewhat sloppy to tie
them such that they sit pointing vertically.
Figure 27: Tighten the bow by pulling the
himo.
Pull on the do himo away from the
bow to help tighten it.
e length of the bow loops and the length
of the excess himo, while fastening the
short do himo, should also be adjusted so
that they are each of the same length.
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Wearing the Tenugui: “Hand-Towel”
ere are a number of methods for puing on the tenugui (手 拭 い,
“hand towel”). Find the method which is the most comfortable and quickest
for you. e tenugui serves to cushion the head while in the men but it also
absorbs perspiration. is keeps it from being absorbed directly by the men
itself, which helps prolong its life. It also helps to keep perspiration out of
the eyes of a kendoka during practice. e most basic method for wearing
the tenugui, the “cap” method, is described below and shown in figure 28.
Whichever method you choose for puing on your tenugui, there is one
tradition that is common to each. Most tenugui have some type of writing
on them, usually “words of wisdom” for a kendoka. Before one puts on the
tenugui, it is customary to briefly hold it at eye-level and read this writing
and then proceed to put it on.
e “Cap” Method
1. Place the tenugui flat on the floor in front of you.
2. Fold the tenugui in half from top to boom.
3. Fold the sides of the tenugui diagonally across the center.
4. Turn the tenugui over.
5. Fold the sides diagonally over the center again making a triangle.
6. Fold the triangle up inside the pocket made by the folded tenugui. is
creates a “cap” which is put on the head, and pulled down so that it
covers the ears. e thick part should be on the forehead.
Figure 28: Wearing the tenugui. is
method creates a “cap” that the kendoka
wears on their head.
Figure 29: Kendoka wearing the tenugui.
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Figure 30: Other methods for wearing the
tenugui.
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Wearing the Men
Two methods are given: kanto and kansai style.
Method #1: Kanto Style
Kanto refers to the eastern area of Japan
surrounding Tokyo and kansai refers to the
western area around Osaka and consisting
of Kobe and Kyoto.
Figure 31: Place your head securely in the
men.
Place your chin securely in the men,
followed by your forehead. Bring
the men-himo to the back of your
head and pull them tight.
Figure 32: Pull the himo tight and secure
the men.
Keeping the himo tight, tie them
securely in a bow.
Figure 34: e himo are tied at approximately eye level.
e knot should sit directly behind
the level of your eyes. Make sure
the loops and the excess himo are
the same length.
e length of the excess himo and length
of the loops should be adjusted so that they
are all the same length. ey must also be
no longer than 40cm.
Figure 33: Proper length of the men himo.
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Straighten the himo on the sides
of the men. Be sure they do not
overlap, have any twists in them,
and that there is no space between
the two upper himo along the sides
of the men.
On both sides of the men grab the
men-dare just below the lower set
of himo and pull it forward and
away from your head. is creates
space at your ears necessary for
both ventilation and safety.
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Figure 35: Be sure the himo are straight and
neat.
Figure 36: Pull the men away from your
ears.
If the men is tight against your ears, it will
create a “drum” effect which could cause
ear damage. Creating some space between
your ear and the men will prevent this.
Figure 37: e properly tied men using
method #1.
e men is now tied properly.
Method #2: Kansai Style
Figure 38: Place your head securely in the
men.
Place your head in the men, chin
first, and grab hold of both himo.
While the kansai method of fastening the
men himo is much more secure, it is also
more difficult to put on correctly, and takes
slightly longer to do so.
Figure 39: Bring the himo to your chin.
Bring the himo to the back of your
head and cross them behind the
level of your eyes. en bring them
to the front of the men at the level
of your chin.
e himo used to tie your men in the
kansai style have a length of 8 shaku, while
the himo for kanto are 7. Be sure to use the
appropriate length of men himo.
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Figure 40: Cross the himo in front of your
chin.
Cross the himo in front of your
chin, and bring them again to the
back. Pull the himo tight to secure
the men.
Figure 41: Bring the himo to the front
again.
Cross the himo again behind the
eyes and, laying them below the
himo already on the side of the
men, bring them to the front.
Keeping the tension in the himo,
pull each himo separately through
the space between the topmost
men-yokogane (horizontal bar) and
the central men-tate-gane (vertical
bar).
Bring the himo to the back of the
head, being careful to lay them
on the side of the men below the
himo already there and tie them in
a bow behind eye level. Be sure the
loops and excess himo are the same
length.
Straighten out any twists or gaps
between the himo, then from below the lower set of himo pull
the men-dare forward and away
from the head to create a space for
ventilation.
Figure 42: read the himo through the
men-gane.
Figure 43: Tie the himo in a bow.
Figure 44: Remove any gaps or spaces
between the himo.
As with kanto style, the length of the
excess himo and the length of the loops
must be the same as well as being no longer
than 40cm.
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When finished puing on the men, either by method #1 or #2, and you
are wearing the tenugui by a method other than the cap method, make sure
that the tenugui is not sticking out of the back of the men, comedically
termed a “ducks tail”, but is tucked in neatly.
Wearing the Kote
ere is no special method for puing on the kote per sé as they are
simply gloves that one wears over the hands. However, there are a few
things to note:
Don’t tighten the himo on the kote such
that the kote are tight on your arm. e
kote offer the best protection if the forearm
portion is somewhat loose.
1. Depending on the dojo you are at you may be asked to put the kote on
in a specific order, e.g., le then right.
2. When puing the kote on, always push it on via the fist (kote-gashira).
Don’t pull it on via the forearm (tsutsu-bu).
Figure 45: (Le) Proper and (Right) improper method of puing on the kote.
3. When removing the kote always pull it off via the forearm portion
(tsutsu-bu), not by the fist.
According to [4], the tradition of puing
your right kote on last and removing it
first comes from the fact that the samurai
wanted to keep their right hand “free” until
the very last possible moment in case they
needed to respond to a surprise aack.
Figure 46: (Le) Proper and (Right) improper method of removing the kote.
Puing the kote on and taking them off by the proper methods indicated above will prevent the internal padding from being stretched out and
thinned. However with use the kote-himo will loosen and the tsutsu-bu
will deform, the lower portion widening drastically. When this occurs reform the kote into the proper shape and retie the himo. is ensures the
kote offer proper protection.
Figure 47: (Le) Deformed kote, (Right)
properly shaped kote.
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Storing the Bogu to Dry
It is extremely important that one stores their bogu properly aer each
practice in which it is used. Proper ventilation is a necessity as allowing
your gear to dry will extend the life of your equipment by preventing odor
and bacteria. Two methods for drying your gear are given here: simple
storing of the bogu and hanging the bogu.
Tenugui
e tenugui should be laid out or hung up and allowed to dry aer each
practice. e tenugui should be washed as needed.
Method #1: Simple Storing of the Bogu
As with wearing the bogu, this is but one
of a number of different ways to store your
bogu.
Figure 48: Lay the tare down face up.
Lay the tare in front of you on
your lap, the zekken (name tag)
or o-dare, facing upward and the
tare-obi toward your stomach.
Figure 49: Wrap the tare himo around the
o-dare.
Wrap the entire length of both tarehimo neatly around the o-dare one
at a time, being sure to keep them
both flat and tight.
Keep the tare himo wrapped relatively tight
and remove any wrinkles you find along
their length. is will help keep the tare
looking well, as well as extend how long it
will last.
Figure 50: Lay the do face down on the
zekken.
Lay the do face down onto the front
of the tare, the tare-obi aligned
between the upper and lower dohimo.
e front of the do should be against the
zekken when tying the do for storage.
  
Bring the upper set of do-himo under the tare and cross them. Bring
one himo to the top of the do and
one himo to the boom. Tie the
himo together on the back of the do.
Bring the boom set of do-himo to
the front of the tare, passing them
both underneath the ko-dare (small
side flaps), but keeping them on top
of the o-dare. Tie the boom set
of himo. e tare should now be
secure.
Set the men down inside the do
with the tsuki-dare just at the bottom edge. Set the kote in between
the men-dare and men proper. Lay
the tenugui on the top to air out.
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Figure 51: Tie the do onto the tare using
the long himo.
Figure 52: Tie the short himo to secure the
do.
Figure 53: Set the men and kote inside the
do.
If the bogu is wet due to heavy use it may
need to be hung up to dry in order to get
proper ventilation.
Method #2: Hanging the Bogu
e tare is tied to the do as shown in method #1 however only with the
long himo as shown in figures 50 and 51.
Unlace the men-himo from the
men-gane such that they are only
aached via the men-ikawa.
Gather them together and fold the
himo at approximately 1/3 their
length to make a loop out of both
himo. read this loop through the
uppermost space of the men.
Figure 54: Make a loop with the men-himo
and thread it through the top of the men.
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Pull the loop through the men-gane,
in this case on the le of the men.
With the remaining himo on the
right form another loop by folding
them again. Make these two sets
of loops equal in size and tie them
together at the top of the men. ere
are now four individual loops at the
top of the men.
Figure 55: Create a second loop and tie it to
the first.
read one loop into a kote through
the forearm opening and out the
gap between the kote-himo and the
palm. Open the loop bringing it over
the fist. Repeat this for the other
kote.
Figure 56: read the himo onto the kote.
Pull the remaining loops through the
mune-ikawa on the inner side of
the do mune. Set the men inside the
do with the kote between the men
and the men-dare.
Figure 57: read the men-himo through
the mune-chikawa on the inside of the do.
Tie the short do-himo around the
back of the men to secure it. e
bogu can now be hung up by the
men-himo pulled through the loop
on the inside of the do.
Figure 58: e bogu can now be hung up to
dry.
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References
[1] All Japan Budogu Association. Looking Aer Your Kendo Equipment
(English Version). Japan Budo Equipment Manufacturers Association,
2003.
[2] Chiba Bogu. http://www.chibabogu.com.
[3] Nojima Matunobu, Yamizaki. Illustrated Coaching in Kendo (図解コ一
チ剣道). Seibido, 1998.
[4] Jinichi Tokeshi. Kendo: Elements, Rules, and Philosophy. University of
Hawai‘i Press, 2003.
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