A Shinai made from bamboo

A shinai (Japanese: 竹刀) is a practice weapon used primarily in kendo and is used as if it were a sword. Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently than kendo shinai and are represented with different characters. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1833x1302, 67 KB) My Shinai, Photo taken by me. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1833x1302, 67 KB) My Shinai, Photo taken by me. ... Diversity Around 91 genera and 1,000 species Subtribes Arthrostylidiinae Arundinariinae Bambusinae Chusqueinae Guaduinae Melocanninae Nastinae Racemobambodinae Shibataeinae See the full Taxonomy of the Bambuseae. ... Kendo ), or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... Swiss longsword, 15th or 16th century Look up Sword in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Sizes and style of shinai vary. For example, an adult male may be able to use a shinai that is too heavy for a female or a younger person, so shinai with different characteristics are made. Shinai are available in many styles and balances. Most are made of dried bamboo, some may also be treated (smoked or resin soaked) or made from carbon fiber re-inforced resin or other approved alternative materials. Carbon fiber composite is a strong, light and very expensive material. ...

In kendo the majority of students use one shinai, this style has its roots in the tradition of itto (one sword). However, some kendoka use two shinai, in ni-to, a style that has its roots in the tradtional two sword schools of swordsmanship. A ni-to player uses a longer shinai (daito), usually held in the right hand and a shorter shinai (shoto), usually held in the left hand.

Construction

The shinai is made of three or four slats (take), which are held together by three leather fittings; a tsuka-gawa (handle); a saki-gawa (tip) and a nakayui (a leather strip). All are secured with a tsuru (string). Modern leather-working tools Leather is a material created through the tanning of hides and skins of animals, primarily cattlehide. ...

The nakayui is tied about one-third of the length of the exposed bamboo from the tip (kensen); this holds the slats together and also marks the proper kendo striking portion of the shinai (datotso-bu).

Inserted between the ends of the slats, under the saki-gawa is a plastic plug, saki-gomu and inside the tsuka-gawa there is a small square of metal (chigiri), that secures the slats. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Care of Shinai

A shinai must be properly taken care of or it can pose a danger to both the user, and the people around it. Shinai should be inspected for splinters and breaks before and after use, and taken care of in the manner considered most appropriate by one's style, dojo, or sensei. A dojo ) is a Japanese term which literally means place of the Way. Initially, Dojo were adjunct to temples. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Many people believe that oiling and sanding a shinai prior to use, and periodically during use can greatly extend its life. However, even in Japan, people disagree on what is considered proper shinai care and there is much lore and myth surrounding various methods.

To properly inspect a shinai, one first examines the area around the datotso-bu, looking on all sides of the shinai for splinters. Bamboo splinters infect easily, so care should be taken. The saki-gawa should be intact and the tsuru should be tight so that the saki-gawa cannot slip off the end of the shinai while in use. In addition, the nakayui should be tight enough as to not rotate easily.

When not in use shinai may be properly placed against a wall with the handle pointing downward. When a shinai is placed on the ground it is considered proper etiquette to not step over it.

Regulations

In kendo competitions that follow the FIK rules, there are regulated weights and lengths for the use of shinai.^[1]

Shinais are weighed complete with leather fittings, but without tsuba or tsuba dome. Maximum diameter of tsuba - 9cm.

Shinais are weighed complete with leather fittings, but without tsuba or tsuba dome. Maximum diameter of tsuba - 9cm.

Trivia

• The shinai has become a popular tool/weapon in Professional wrestling, due to its intimidating look and the loud cracking sound it makes once it strikes someone. It is frequently called a "Singapore cane" or "kendo stick". It is especially identified with the professional wrestler The Sandman. It was also identified with wrestlers Steve Blackman, Tommy Dreamer, and Justin Credible, as well as wrestling executive Shane McMahon during his occasional appearances as a wrestler. Raven uses a shinai to punish/torture his faction, Serotonin, when they lose or go out of line. Raven uses it as a weapon as does the whole faction. He considers it a motivational tool. In lucha libre there's also a wrestler under the name of El Zorro, who also uses the shinai frequently.
• In the manga & anime, Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Myojin Yahiko uses a shinai.

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Thomas Laughlin (born February 14, 1971),[2] is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Tommy Dreamer. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Shane B. McMahon[1], (born January 15, 1970) is an American executive and part-time professional wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Ravens Nest was a professional wrestling stable led by Raven that was present in Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1995 and 1997. ... It has been suggested that Sakabato be merged into this article or section. ... Self Portrait Nobuhiro Watsuki , born May 26, 1970) is a Japanese mangaka, best known for his samurai-themed series Rurouni Kenshin. ... Myōjin Yahiko (明神 弥彦 Myōjin Yahiko), known in Western order (Yahiko Myojin) in the English anime, is a fictional character in the anime and manga Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X. In the Spanish-language version of the anime, he is known as Yoshi. ...

See also

• Kendo
• Bokken
• Waster