equipment-classes

Equipment

Unlike other martial arts, Budō uses many weapons, armour and clothing styles in its training. Although we don't use all weapons and equipment every session, it is rare to do a session without picking up one weapon or another. Ikari Dōjō covers different weapons every season to keep classes interesting and varied.

Here you will find a list of equipment that we use in our training. Students are encouraged to acquire their own equipment, but the dōjō is supplied with weapons and equipment for training. Equipment is organised into grades as Ikari Dōjō focuses on certain weapons for each individual level.

Many weapons used at Ikari Dōjō are unique and difficult to acquire commercially. Historically many weapons were also designed to the specifications of the user's body, which is important when considering how the weapon will be used optimally. Students are encouraged to create their own weapons or to modify commercially available weapons to achieve optimal results.

Core Equipment (Mukyū 無級)

Core equipment represents equipment that is used in every training session and should always be in the training bag. Mukyū represents the provisional level before the first grading to 9th Kyū.

Clothing

Keikogi  (稽古着) [Training Clothes]: Keikogi or simply Gi come in many forms and styles. Ikari Dōjō recommends the use of the Judo or Jūjutsu Gi in a single weave in black. The reason we wear black is to reduce staining (from grass and dirt) and for long term use. Black Gi tend to grey over time, which still looks good. Lighter coloured Gi like White or Blue darken into a light beige or faded blue, which no longer looks good. 

The Gi jacket folds right over left for men and women.

Note: BJJ or Jiujitsu gi with excessive patches, advertising, branding or colored stitching are not acceptable for training.

Obi (帯) [Belt]: Obi is a general term which refers to a wide variety of belt styles. Generally, the Obi in martial arts is made of a thick cotton 5cm wide and long enough to be tied around the waist twice. Obi colour has a significance to rank in many styles. In Bujinkan Budō, a white belt represents Mukyū, green represents 9th Kyū to 1st Kyū and black represents 1st Dan to 15th Dan. 

Obi are tied in the Komamusubi (小間結び) [reef knot] style.

There is a common myth that the obi should never be washed. This is a complete fallacy and the obi should be washed just as regularly as the Gi.

There are many practitioners who keep wearing the same obi for many years so it shows wear and in some cases, starts disintegrating. Many practitioners consider this a badge of honour, but I think it just looks ratty and unprofessional. If the obi starts to show visible wear, consider either repairing it or replacing it. Faded colours are acceptable, but rips, tears and visible damage should be repaired as soon as possible.

Kaku Obi (角帯) [Stiff Belt]: Kaku Obi is a wider longer belt that is used for carrying weapons. Students are free to wear a Kaku Obi if they wish. Kaku Obi come in a range of colours, patterns and styles, the only restriction at Ikari Dōjō in terms of Kaku Obi colour are black (reserved for Dan grades), purple and gold (including gold patterns, trimmings or embroidery).

Kaku Obi are tied in a variety of styles. During the Edo period, as Kaku Obi became larger and more ornate, the knot moved to the back. Martial arts styles like Iaidou wear Kaku Obi like this. In Budō, wearing the knot to the back is not practical as it is difficult to do ukemi (break falling). During the warring states period, Samurai wore their Kaku Obi knots in a variety of styles including the front or sides. Practicality should dictate where to place the knot. 

Footwear

Ikari Dōjō requires two kinds of footwear, indoor and outdoor. For outdoor activities sports/running shoes are recommended, for indoor training tabi or socks must be worn. 

Outdoor

Jika Tabi (地下足袋) [Outdoor split-toed shoes]: Invented in the early 20th century, Jika Tabi are modelled on tabi, a traditional split-toe Japanese indoor shoe. Used by Japanese farmers, construction workers and other workmen, the Jika Tabi provides tactile sensing of the ground and better balance than fully enclosed shoes. Ikari Dōjō students are free to wear Jika Tabi or a sports shoe of their choice.

Be aware that there are many kinds of Jika Tabi. The standard Jika Tabi are not designed for running. When deciding to purchase Jika Tabi for running, consider purchasing Jika Tabi that are advertised as running shoes.

Jika Tabi are outdoor shoes and should not be used indoors or in a dojo. Never ever wear them to Honbu dojo in Japan. 

Sports Shoes: There are various types of running shoes. Ensure you seek professional guidance before purchasing expensive running shoes. 

Also be aware that too much cushioning on a running shoe can weaken the ankle. Unless you have a medical condition that requires heavy cushioning or in-steps, purchase running shoes that have a minimal sole. 

Indoor
Tabi (足袋) [Split-toed shoe]: Tabi are a traditional Japanese split-toed indoor shoe. In the past, we used cotton tabi for training, but in recent years the Bujinkan has adopted leather tabi for training, which last much longer than the cotton variants.

Leather and cotton tabi are exclusively indoor shoes. They should never be worn outdoors. As Ikari Dōjō trains on tatami mats it is recommended to purchase either cotton or leather tabi. 

If students without tabi must wear socks on the mats.


9th Kyū (九級)

9th Kyū focuses on the Gyokko [Jade Tiger] school and introduces weapons into training, including the Tantō [Dagger], Shōtō [short sword] and Daitō [long sword].

Tantō (短刀) [Dagger]: Tantō is a thrusting dagger carried as a multi-purpose tool or sidearm. At Ikari Dōjō we use training tantō made of rubber or wood, either material is acceptable. 

Cold Steel make an excellent range of rubber training knives, but each Ikari Dōjō student is free to source their own equipment. 

Daggers are the simplest weapons to use, so they are introduced as a starting weapon. Many techniques in the Gyokko school work very well with daggers, short swords and long swords.

Shōtō (小刀) [Short Sword]: Shōtō is a short sword carried as a side-arm, often to complement the daitō [Long sword]. 

Both the daitō and shōtō together were called daishō (大小) [Long and short]. The shōtō was often used as a back-up weapon if the daitō was lost or damaged. Advanced forms of kenjutsu use both daitō and shōtō together in a duel wielding style. 

Daitō (大刀) [Long Sword]: Daitō come in many styles and variants. The training Daitō is called the Bokken, usually made out of wood, though rubber variants are becoming popular. Both wood and rubber variants are acceptable at Ikari Dōjō. 

Bokken can be purchased online in a variety of styles. Many commercial Bokken have very small hand guards (tsuba), so it is recommended to attach a Shinai Tsuba to the Bokken. The length of the Bokken's blade should reach from the tip of the fingers to the neck, and the handle (tsuka) should fit comfortably in two hands (25 to 30cm). A plastic scabbard (saya) can often be found online, which is recommended for drawing practice. 


8th Kyū (八級)

8th Kyū focuses on the Kotō (Tiger Felling) school and introduces Senban Shuriken (銛盤手裏剣), Bo-Shuriken (棒手裏剣) and Teppan (鉄板) into training. 

Senban Shuriken (銛盤手裏剣) [Hidden Hand Blade]: Shuriken come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Senban Shuriken has four edges which are slightly sharpened. The idea of the Senban Shuriken is to be able to hold it in the palm of the hand and cut in four directions. It is a common misconception that Shuriken were primarily thrown weapons. Although they could be thrown, they were primarily used as hidden blades or multi-purpose tools. 

Ikari Dōjō uses rubber training Shuriken, but members are encouraged to make their own as Shuriken size should be relative to hand size. The corners of the Shuriken should extend out beyond the hand. 

Bo Shuriken (棒手裏剣) [Hidden Hand Dart]: Bo Shuriken are dart shaped Shuriken that could be used for throwing or stabbing. They were also often sown into clothes as armour or a shield. Ikari Dōjō recommends making wooden Bo Shuriken for training. 

Bo Shuriken can be fashioned from old pens or wood pieces purchased from a hardware store. For training they are used as a small knife. For throwing practices it is recommended using metal Bo Shuriken. 

Teppan (鉄板) [Metal Plate]: Teppan are simply a metal plate. They can be used as weapons, armour (sown inside the clothes) or tools. Held like the Shuriken, it can be used to strike in the palm of the hand. Teppan were not sharpened. 

Teppan can be made from a variety of materials including wood, rubber or metal. For training, it is advised to use rubber Teppan for practice. 


7th Kyū (七級)

7th Kyū focuses on the Kukishin [Nine Fierce Gods] school and introduces long bludgeoning weapons including the Hanbō [Half-staff], Bō [staff] and Yari [Spear].

Hanbou (半棒) [Half-staff]: The Hanbō is a stick with a length of around one metre (from the ground to the hip). Hanbō represents a short stick, a broken spear, a sheathed sword, a walking stick/cane or any number of short bludgeoning weapons. 

The Hanbou can seem like a deceptively simple weapon, but with more complex capturing and holding techniques it becomes much more difficult to use.

The Hanbou can be fashioned from any kind of wood, but hardwoods like oak are preferred for durability and strength. Recently, Bujinkan members have started creating safer leather Hanbō, which are better suited to training. These handmade Fukuro-Hanbō are quite expensive, but a worthy training investment. 

Bō (棒) [Staff]: The Bō is a longer stick, pole or staff that should reach up to head height (1.7 to 2 metres - depending on the person). Bō represents any kind of longer stick or broken weapon. Like the Hanbō it can seem deceptively simple at first glance, but more complex techniques are quite difficult.

Like the Hanbō, it is recommended to purchase a hardwood Bō or fashion a Bō from hardwoods like Oak or Ironbark from a hardware store. Fukuro-Bō are also available, but quite expensive. 

Yari (槍) [Spear]: The Yari is a spear used extensively in Feudal Japan by Samurai and Ashigaru (Footsoldiers) alike. The Yari was the standard battlefield weapon as it could be used in large formations and could keep the enemy at bay. Yari were generally a variety of lengths, from 1 metre to 6 metres long. For Ikari Dōjō training it is recommended that the yari be around 2 metres to 2.4 metres long depending on the person (person height + 60cm).

Training Yari are not commercially made, so members will need to craft them themselves. Most hardware stores have hardwood cut into cylinders, it is just a matter of sanding down the tip.


6th Kyuu - 六級

Under Construction.

This section will be filled out with more equipment and weapons in the future.