[ Clothing ] [ Armor ]

The ancient art of Kendo was very dangerous-students were often seriously wounded, maimed or even killed during practice. For this reason, protective armor was adopted. Modern-day Kendo students continue to wear the traditional uniform, comprised of clothing and safety gear.

Clothing

• Keikogi: a light or heavy (depending on skill level) cotton jacket that is colored blue (expert level), black(expert level), or white (novice)
  
• Hakama: pleated trousers

  See also: Aikido > Gear
  

• Men: helmet for the head, neck, and face. A head cloth (tenugi) is worn under the men to absorb perspiration and cushion the head.
  
• Kote: padded gloves for the wrist and hands
  
• Do: a breastplate to guard the chest and side
  
• Tare: a hip and waist/lower body guard

These items are also put on in a special order. After the clothing is put on, the safety gear is added: the tare is tied around the waist, do is fitted with strings, tenugi is wrapped around the head and men pulled over it, and kote are slipped onto the hands.

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Image of "Armor" from
Houston Budokan (http://www.houstonbudokan.com).
houston_budokan@hotmail.com. July 2001. Email message.