Kendo Stores of Tokyo - 4. Takeshima Budogu

Takeshima Budogu is located just across the Tama River south of Setagaya, one of Tokyo's suburban areas. They are growing in popularity owing to some great products and what seems like a great community feel.

It is a little bit out of the way, but, thanks to Tokyo and Japan in general's amazing transport system, it's only about a thirty minute trip from Shinjuku or Shibuya stations.

You can find their home page here and online store here.

The website is only in Japanese, but they will take orders from overseas, they are even supporting some national teams for this year's WKC with some small discounts.

They also hope to be one of the vendors with a stall inside the Budokan at this years World Kendo Championships. They will be accepting preorders before the event, and will be selling limited numbers of shinai and small items on the day. Since they are located in Tokyo, you will be able to order shinai one day and receive it the next from the stall. 

Takeshima's Bukotsu bogu series is endorsed by Takanabe Susumu. Current World and All Japan 7th Dan Champion.

Bukotsu 

Takeshima have their own signature line of bogu, Bukotsu. This bogu features a unique futon with three rows of 3mm stitches separated by a 6mm stitch. This makes the futon flexible and ads a bit of additional padding. The men have short men-dare with naname-zashi (diagonal stitching) as standard.

Men

Detail of stitching on the Futon. Note the 3x3 mm stitches and the 6 mm gap.

Detail of the Stitching pattern and naname-zashi on the men.

Kote

The Kote have short kote-buton (the part covering the forearm) and a yoroi-gata style fist portion. There are options for deer leather and synthetic leather palms (in standard brown or black).

Type 3 kote, Made in Japan, deer skin palm

Type 3 kote, Made in Japan, deer skin palm

Type 3 kote, Made in Japan, Deer skin palm

Type 2 Kote with black synthetic leather palm

Type 2 Kote with black synthetic leather palm.

Tare

An interesting feature is the use of naname-zashi on the sides of the tare Obi. from holding it in my hands, it feels very flexible. I imagine it makes for a snugger fit around your waist.

All of the Bukotsu tare feature this nanme-zashi on the tare

Takeshima also have three variations on the Tare itself.All three versions are surprisingly light.  Type 1 has full reinforcement, on the waist belt and O-dare (the parts covering the legs) you can see it in a photo below. Type 2 is lighter, but still has some reinforcement such as heri-gawa (leather trim on the edge of the O-dare.

Type 2 Tare with heri-gawa. (Trim leather)

Detail of heri-gawa and orizashi reinforcement.

The third is Type 2 - Air. this tare is extra light weight and has no additional reinforcement. The edges are simply sewn shut with no heri-gawa. This style is very light and favored by shiai players.

Type 2-Air tare. No extra reinforcement or trim.

There is minimal reinforcement on the Air tare. A small piece on the edges.

Bukotsu - Lineup

They currently have two versions of the bogu, Type 1 and Type 2 with slight differences in the quality. A third premium Made in Japan set will be coming out in April this year. 

Takeshima Budogu carry a huge selection of shinai. Every type and style is catered for and they are available in most sizes, Ladies, Mens and Junior. Thick and thin grip, Dobari, Koto and Jissen-gata styles, smoked "bio"shinai, carbon and madake are available. 

The Great Wall of Shinai

Looking for a new bogu or shinai bag, a new tsuba or tenugui to give to someone back home? Takeshima carry everything you would expect to find in a bogu shop. 

They have a great range of ultra light mesh bogu bags too. If you find yourself leaving your bogu in the bag after Keiko (as you park the car or go to the pub etc) these are perfect. The whole bag is made of a mesh net and let's air circulate around your bogu. 

It's not magic though. So all those stinky bogu folks will likely stink up the place!