Keikogi

[Joel H.]

http://kendo.tozando.com/gi/kg510.html

Interesting design for a keikogi. I'd like a second opinion before I buy it.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Joel H.
http://kendo.tozando.com/gi/kg510.html

Interesting design for a keikogi. I'd like a second opinion before I buy it.
Tozando's goods are well made and come in a large range of sizes. I have bought from them before, and was satisfied with their goods and service.

The Edo Zashi Kendogi has an interesting raised pattern, and for $60.00 (currently on sale) looks like a good deal. If you're going to wear it at your dojo, though, I'd ask around amongst your sempai; it might be considered too "flashy" by some teachers.

[nicojo]

A lot of us both in the American and Japan Araki Mujinsai Ryu iaido dojo have this pattern. It is getting hard to find...Swordstore no longer sells it. The white version is nice too. 6000 yen is a good price but they will get you on shipping--about 3000 yen! It arrived a week and half after ordering, pretty quick service.

Be a little more careful with wash and dry than a standard karate/judo/aikido type keikogi--gentle cycle and hang dry is best to preserve the stitching I believe. I have only had mine for a week, but that is what my sempai all tell me. I won't be wearing it all the time for practice. It is a little nicer for a demonstration since we don't wear full montsuki until dan ranks in America.

The dark blue is still pretty conservative, but your dojo may have a preference.

As far as sizing goes, you can email them your measurements and they can tell you in English just fine what is best. I am 5'7, 160 lbs and I took a size 4. Sleeves are a little long but not too bad. Maybe a bit baggy in the chest, but the ties help out there. I should just start lifting weights again.

[Mekugi]

Originally posted by Joel H.
http://kendo.tozando.com/gi/kg510.html

Interesting design for a keikogi. I'd like a second opinion before I buy it.

They only carry up to size 5 and it takes 7-10 days to get them in 6.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by nicojo
...The white version is nice too.
Is it really white, BTW? In the photos it looks kind of beige, but you never know with photos what the lighting, printing, etc. was like. I've seen the blue, but never the white.

Originally posted by nicojo
...6000 yen is a good price but they will get you on shipping--about 3000 yen!
It's nice if you can get several dojo-mates to order together and split the shipping; two items usually don't have twice the shipping of one, three is less each than two, etc.

[Mekugi]

It's bleached white with black wooven strings. It will shrink- a lot. Generally, unless they are made special, these are used commonly as children's kendo uwagi.

Originally posted by Brian Owens
Is it really white, BTW? In the photos it looks kind of beige, but you never know with photos what the lighting, printing, etc. was like. I've seen the blue, but never the white.

[nicojo]

these are used commonly as children's kendo uwagi But Tozando sells them in regular adult sizes, so there must be some call for them from adults. Same as the Musashi print. Interesting...

BTW I guess since I ordered my blue one on a weekend, it took about 7 business days but stretched over two weekends so it seemed longer.

[Mekugi]

I was talking about the Shiro Musashi.

This is not dye/silk-printed. It's woven with strings; the black "stripes" are actually strings.

Generally, these are used by kids- that's why most stores carry these in small sizes; 1-4. If you want the larger sizes you have to have them made/ special ordered, and the sizes are "fitted" for teens or tall kids, not adults. Usually, not always.

-R
Originally posted by nicojo
But Tozando sells them in regular adult sizes, so there must be some call for them from adults. Same as the Musashi print. Interesting...

[nicojo]

Gotcha! I have heard that about the Shiro Musashi. Now I think Brian is asking about this one (http://kendo.tozando.com/gi/kg515.html). The ones a few of the dojo guys have are stitched pattern and bleached white, but they were not sold by Tozando. Pattern is the same though. My blue edo zashi pattern was stitched, so maybe the white one they sell now is too. The picture on the site is no good. I will send you a pm of someone with it if you like. But I am leaving now for the weekend, so it may not be until Monday.

TY for your help Russ.

[Mekugi]

PM coming your way...
Originally posted by nicojo
Gotcha! I have heard that about the Shiro Musashi. Now I think Brian is asking about this one (http://kendo.tozando.com/gi/kg515.html). The ones a few of the dojo guys have are stitched pattern and bleached white, but they were not sold by Tozando. Pattern is the same though. My blue edo zashi pattern was stitched, so maybe the white one they sell now is too. The picture on the site is no good. I will send you a pm of someone with it if you like. But I am leaving now for the weekend, so it may not be until Monday.

TY for your help Russ.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by nicojo
Gotcha! I have heard that about the Shiro Musashi. Now I think Brian is asking about this one (http://kendo.tozando.com/gi/kg515.html).
That's correct. This thread started with a question about the blue Edo Zashi Kendogi, and I brought up the subject of the true color of the white ones. Not sure how the Shiro Musashi Kendogi came into it.

[Mekugi]

Ehh lack of name.

The Edo Zashi is a white with indigo blue print/silkscreen.

These are really light weight and like a jinbei top. Not for cold weather, but excellent for warm.

The White/blue indigo print Edo Zashi I can get for 5,700 yen.

-Russ


Originally posted by Brian Owens
That's correct. This thread started with a question about the blue Edo Zashi Kendogi, and I brought up the subject of the true color of the white ones. Not sure how the Shiro Musashi Kendogi came into it.

[Joel H.]

I thought the pattern is stitched in; or is it a silk screen?

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Joel H.
I thought the pattern is stitched in; or is it a silk screen?
Tozando's site says:
Traditional Edo Zashi style stitched pattern is now available in white cotton Kendo Gi. Indigo-dyed cotton. Single-layered.
I'm not sure what they mean by "indigo dyed" since this is a white uwagi; possibly a typo carried over from their blue Edo Zashi, which says:
Traditional Edo Zashi style stitched pattern. Indigo-dyed cotton. Single-layered.

Here's a close-up of the pattern on the blue one:
http://kendo.tozando.com/image/gi/kg510_2.gif

[Mekugi]

I called the maker of these in Tokyo, they mean that the thread is indigo dyed on white.

I thought it was a screen print,like on a yukata, but I was wrong.

Anyway, ...that's the story. White thread on blue indigo material and blue indigo thread on white material.

Originally posted by Brian Owens
Tozando's site says:

I'm not sure what they mean by "indigo dyed" since this is a white uwagi; possibly a typo carried over from their blue Edo Zashi, which says:


Here's a close-up of the pattern on the blue one:
http://kendo.tozando.com/image/gi/kg510_2.gif

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Mekugi
Anyway, ...that's the story. White thread on blue indigo material and blue indigo thread on white material.
Thank you, Russ, for the clarification.

It's great having someone "in country" willing to do some field work.

[ulvulv]

Originally posted by Joel H.
http://kendo.tozando.com/gi/kg510.html

Interesting design for a keikogi. I'd like a second opinion before I buy it.

They are very thin, but also very comfortable. I would reccommend wearing a juban under it. Dont expect them to last for many years.
The stitching is easily worn, especially if your belly stands out a little bit and interferes with your noto.

[Walker]

Hmm, gives new meaning to harakiri! :D

[ulvulv]

Originally posted by Walker
Hmm, gives new meaning to harakiri! :D

For your information, my hara do NOT interfere with my kiri ;)