V-cut white, black, grey, or blue undershirt (helps soak up sweat in the summer + adds a layer for warmth in the winter).
Fits the V-neck of a kendogi.
Equipment Recommendations
Training Gear
Stainless steel Iaito & other Skyjiro (email instructor before ordering)
Mountain Teachings: Swords Keikogi both standard & light (must email for non-EU shipping
Urufu: BudoGi Sword carrying bags (the small one works great for Jodo/Aikido)
Urufu: Carrying Cases Kataaro: Traditional Japanese Iaido Obi Belt E-Bogu: Oak Bokken (1 M) Natural E-Bogu: Master Series - Oak Jo (50"/127cm) Natural Kanasuji E-Bogu: Hakama Kendo Uniform E-Bogu: Traditional Kaku Obi FPinsoles Knee Protectors E-Bogu: Japanese Kimono Black Tabi Socks KENDOSTAR: Kendo Half-Tabi Boylan Sensei's preferred Iaito Maker E-Bogu: Master Series - Iaido Practice Set (White Oak Bokken w/ Tsuba & Saya) Hickory Arms: Bokken Japanese Long Sword Kingfisher WoodWorks: Kenjutsu Bokken Raven Studios: Kenjutsu Bokken
(I own one) Leather Tsuba The Hidden Movements of Iaido DVD or Stream Kendo Buy/Sell/Trade - Facebook Cebudogu - Facebook Ivan Pesic: Original Fine Art
Mountain Teachings: Swords Keikogi both standard & light (must email for non-EU shipping
Urufu: BudoGi Sword carrying bags (the small one works great for Jodo/Aikido)
Urufu: Carrying Cases Kataaro: Traditional Japanese Iaido Obi Belt E-Bogu: Oak Bokken (1 M) Natural E-Bogu: Master Series - Oak Jo (50"/127cm) Natural Kanasuji E-Bogu: Hakama Kendo Uniform E-Bogu: Traditional Kaku Obi FPinsoles Knee Protectors E-Bogu: Japanese Kimono Black Tabi Socks KENDOSTAR: Kendo Half-Tabi Boylan Sensei's preferred Iaito Maker E-Bogu: Master Series - Iaido Practice Set (White Oak Bokken w/ Tsuba & Saya) Hickory Arms: Bokken Japanese Long Sword Kingfisher WoodWorks: Kenjutsu Bokken Raven Studios: Kenjutsu Bokken
(I own one) Leather Tsuba The Hidden Movements of Iaido DVD or Stream Kendo Buy/Sell/Trade - Facebook Cebudogu - Facebook Ivan Pesic: Original Fine Art
Repairs & Alterations
Production Shinken
This list contains products ranging up to $950, $1000 - 4000, & $4000+
(Own) Skyjiro Ashigaru Class
(Own ) Skyjiro Yenku Mokuroku Class Ancient Iron Warrior
(Borrowed) Skyjiro Tenku Deshi Class
(Own) Ryansword 1336
(Own) Ryansword 1414 - Choji Hamon, Koshi Sori 1095
(Own) Ryansword 1340
(Own) Ryansword Katana Dojo Pro #31
(Own) Ryansword Katana Dojo Pro #14
(Own) Moritaka L6 O-katana
(Sold) Dragon King Savior
(Own) Dragon King Winter Sun
(Borrowed) Dragon King Winter Sun Forged
(Sold) Dragon King Autum Leaf
(Sold) Cloudhammer Forge O-katana
Honorable Mentions
(Sold) New Dragonfly Katana - Bugei Samarai Swords
(Sold) Thaitsuki Shoshin Katana
(Out of production, but looks neat)
(Own) Sheng Swords
(Doesn't offer anything in blade length, but does offer Hanjiro, Yagyum & a neat 4-iron slab tsuba
(Doesn't offer anything in blade length, but does offer Hanjiro, Yagyum & a neat 4-iron slab tsuba
(Sold & Borrowed) Sinosword
(Excellent, super tight Ito but meh everything else; can be heavy & not great Bohi)
(Excellent, super tight Ito but meh everything else; can be heavy & not great Bohi)
(Borrowed) Yomikuni Kenshin Katana
(Company i closed & our of production - RVA Katana offers something similar)
(Company i closed & our of production - RVA Katana offers something similar)
(Would like to borrow) Cold Steel Steven Seagal Signature Edition Katana
(33" that includes the habaki, in reality, 32" nagasa with Bohi & 13" tsuka - heavy cutter)
(Borrowed) Huawei
RVA Katana Geisha
Skyjiro Black Sea
(Would like to review) Reliks Chorui Katana(33" that includes the habaki, in reality, 32" nagasa with Bohi & 13" tsuka - heavy cutter)
(Out of production, but looks neat)
Links
Additional important links
Kendo, Iaido, & Jodo: Explained by the All Japan Kendo Federation
What NOT to Buy
(Sold) Cold Steel Gold Lion
At its MSPR or dealer pricing, you have much better options, but it has a lighter blade compared to other offering so with a rewrap it might make a good shinken for kata. This "might" be the blase remounted for someone who uses a light iaito.
Buy used & under $400 shipped is possible. Quality control issues, so be cautious.
At its MSPR or dealer pricing, you have much better options, but it has a lighter blade compared to other offering so with a rewrap it might make a good shinken for kata. This "might" be the blase remounted for someone who uses a light iaito.
Buy used & under $400 shipped is possible. Quality control issues, so be cautious.
Price range $1000 - $3500
(Own) Skyjiro Hota-tegai
(Borrowed) Skyjiro Kumo
(Borrowed) Motohara by Evolution Blades
Citadel Imperial Huawei Swords
(Custom - must email beforehand)
(Borrowed) Skyjiro Kumo
(Borrowed) Motohara by Evolution Blades
Citadel Imperial Huawei Swords
(Custom - must email beforehand)
(Would like to borrow for review) Hanwei Tiger Elite Katana)
29" nagasa & 12" tsuka version
29" nagasa & 12" tsuka version
(Would like to borrow for review) Bugei Armourer's Katana
29" nagasa & 12" tsuka version
29" nagasa & 12" tsuka version
(Would like to borrow for review) MAS Kuroyori
29" nagasa & 12" tsuka version
29" nagasa & 12" tsuka version
Price range $4000+
Tokensho
Paul Martin
(Highly recommended working with him over Tozando if you can Gendait Nihonto) RVA-Katana
(Highly recommended working with him over Tozando if you can Gendait Nihonto) RVA-Katana
Surrounding Dojos
Paul Shin's YouTube channel
Mountain Teachings
Michigan Koryu Kenkyukai
(Boylan Sensei's Jodo & Iaido dojo + his blog) Charlottesville Yoseikan
(Where King Sensei does MJER Iaido) Waynseboro YMCA Karate
(Where King Sensei does Shito-ryu Karate) Zanshin - Kendo themed cafe in Tokyo
(Boylan Sensei's Jodo & Iaido dojo + his blog) Charlottesville Yoseikan
(Where King Sensei does MJER Iaido) Waynseboro YMCA Karate
(Where King Sensei does Shito-ryu Karate) Zanshin - Kendo themed cafe in Tokyo
Recommended Training Gear Suppliers & Manufacturers (Outside US)
AJKF Online Shop
SDK Supplies
(Kim Taylor Sensei's business - email is best) Bujin Design
(Leather tsuba dome for bokken) Kendo Star Budo Design Seido Shop Tozando Zen Nihon Budogu Budo Aoi Yamato Budogu
(Kim Taylor Sensei's business - email is best) Bujin Design
(Leather tsuba dome for bokken) Kendo Star Budo Design Seido Shop Tozando Zen Nihon Budogu Budo Aoi Yamato Budogu
Local Deep Muscle Sport Massage, Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, & Physical Therapist
Healing Touch Body Works
Aliceia Anderson
Bridgewater Massage & Wellness, LLC
Jenny Moon
Mountain Massage (Lexington & Staunton)
Heneberry Chiropractic
Synergy
Anita Smith Acupuncture
Local Leather Shop
Can take on a variety of custom tasks
Cobblestone Shoe & Leather Repair
Budo Related Art Works