PDA

View Full Version : Good Obi?



Nezumiiro
15th August 2001, 19:25
Alrighty... I have begun acquire a bad back during the course of my training and have noticed a certain VERY high ranking individual in the system I train in who wears an Obi when he trains. I am looking for a place that sells high quality obi that can stand up to the rigors of outdoor training and still maintain. I am not doing this imitate or emulate this person but I am doing it because well... it's a good idea. If anyone can point me in the right direction it would be helpful.

pboylan
15th August 2001, 22:42
Um, what system, and what style of obi?

Peter Boylan
Mugendo Budogu
http://www.budogu.com

Nezumiiro
15th August 2001, 23:00
Bujinkan as a matter of fact... And I speak of a rather wide obi... The kind I have seen some Kendo and Kenjutsu practitioners use. As for who the person is that wears the obi it is Soke himself. I think he can even be seen with it in some recent photographs. Don't quote me on that one though. I would use the obi as well as my Rank belt of course if that was a question in anyones mind.

pete lohstroh
16th August 2001, 00:57
If you are trying to protect an injured back you should consider wearing an elastic back belt under your dogi. It actually works though it is less stylish...

pboylan
16th August 2001, 01:03
I sell the wide sword obi, and I'll second the above recommendation. If you want some more support for your back, get one of the special supports they sell and wear it under your gi, it will do you a lot more good than a standard sword obi (which you can purchase at http://budogu.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page38.html )

Peter Boylan
Mugendo Budogu LLC
http://www.budogu.com

Eric Baluja
16th August 2001, 12:34
Originally posted by pboylan
I sell the wide sword obi...http://budogu.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page38.html )
Dear Sir,

I notice that all your obi (including that listed as being the traditional type) are 2.5" wide. I don't do iaido, but aren't the obi worn under hakama ordinarily about 4" wide?

I don't doubt that you are selling a good obi, I'm just ignorant. Thanks for your help.

pboylan
18th August 2001, 13:18
Eric Bajula asked

<B>I notice that all your obi (including that listed as being the
traditional type) are 2.5" wide. I don't do iaido, but aren't the
obi worn under hakama ordinarily about 4" wide? </B>

The obi most commonly used for iaido are actually the 2.5 inch easy tie obi. Even the teachers in Japan seem to prefer them. The widest belt I use is about 3 inches. It was a very expensive gift from one of my teachers before I left Japan the last time. The wider obi are more difficult to find, and I while I won't say that no one uses them (someone must be buying them) I will say that I don't know anyone who does. Historically, the width of obi worn would depend more on the current fashion than on anything else.

Peter Boylan (who can't seem to get the dang signature feature to work)

Nezumiiro
20th August 2001, 13:47
Thanks everyone. I will consider the elastic back belt and I will also prowl around a bit more for the Obi... it isn't about the image or style for me, I was just curious.

Jussi Häkkinen
27th August 2001, 06:19
I use about 4 incjh wide obi in iaido and have found it to do its job well. http://www.tozando.com sells such obi, as do several other places (usually under name "kaku obi" and such). That type of obi is usually used in the club I train.

It it is a correct obi for Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, I cannot answer. You need to remember that we tie the knot behind our back and wear hakama over the obi.

KenpoKev
27th August 2001, 20:55
One more suggestion on the back support item. I too have had lower back injuries and found that a good quality motocross (motorcycle kidney belt) works really well. I wear a t-shirt, the belt, then the gi on top. The MX kidney belts offer better support than the construction job types and usually offer multiple velcro straps to isolate support. You can find a good variety at most motorcycle shops that carry offroad bikes or try www.competitionaccessories.com

Hope this helps

David T Anderson
28th August 2001, 23:08
BuJin Design carries an Iaido obi that is 4" wide, and I wear this for Aikido practice. I'm not sure it would give you the support you're looking for, but it's certainly available...