Figuring out what weapons and training gear you’ll need for Japanese sword training can be difficult at first.

First, you’ve got gear with Japanese names that you may have never heard before.

Add in a bunch of uniform and weapon choices and you might end up confused.

After seeing more than one new student perplexed, we decided to add a page to the website that provides links and explanations for the training gear you’ll need for video Zoom classes, as well as in-person classes (at some point – we can’t wait to be able to train in person again!).

Be sure to check out our Training Gear page. I promise to update it often to provide you with new gear choices to round out your samurai training garb.

Here are helpful links for ordering do-gi (gi tops), hakama (pleated “trousers”), kaku obi (belts) and training weapons.

Option 1: Kendo Light Weight Gi and Hakama Set* from e-bogu.com

Option 2: Iaido Gi top and Hakama Set from e-bogu.com

Option 3: Shiromusashi Jacket (blue or white) or Modified Kimono Top from Bugei Trading Co.

* NOTE: If ordering kendo gi-top from e-bogu.com, we suggest ordering it using the sizing charts on their website as long as you are of thin build. If you are not thin, it’s safer to order the next size up! Secondly, all hakama should be ordered with longer himo (ties).

Belts
We wear a sword-bearing “kaku obi. A kaku obi is different from belts typically worn in iaido or other non-samurai arts. You may choose any color:
Kaku obi from e-bogu
Kaku obi on eBay (search “kaku obi” for additional options):

Bokken (wooden training sword):
Nami ryu bokken are specific to our ryuha (school). Any bokken or training weapons other than the ones listed below will need to be cleared by the instructor for use in class.

Our dojo keeps extra training weapons of various types on-hand. This will also let you try out different weapon lengths and woods to discover the one you like best.

Choose from:
Hickory Bokken or Ipe Bokken (Brazilian Hardwood)
Be sure to order a plastic sword guard (tsuba) with your bokken: Plastic Tsuba
Order the 30″ blade + 15″ handle if you are 5’10” or taller. Otherwise, order the 28″ version.

Bo-Tanto (wooden knife)
Hickory bo-tanto or Ipe bo-tanto
As practitioners of a samurai art, we always carry multiple weapons. The tanto is a mainstay of Nami ryu, and we carry a bo-tanto in addition to a bokken. Custom-made bo-tanto are also available for around $40 (please inquire)

Bo-Wakizashi (wooden short sword)
A wakizashi is optional for beginners.
Hickory bo-wakizashi or Ipe bo-wakisashi

Real Weapons / Live Blades
The use of real weapons throughout our training is a major factor that sets us apart from many other martial studies. Senior and intermediate students are permitted – and encouraged – to carry real weapons in addition to wooden training weapons.

However, we are very cautious with the use of “live” weapons and thus beginners are not allowed to use them. Sharp weapons may be carries after much diligent study, and only with the head instructor’s approval.

Fresno Aikijujutsu is under the umbrella of Pacific Martial Arts. We are located inside FitRepublic located at 6735 N. First St. (SW corner of First & Herndon in Fresno, CA).

Please contact us to schedule a visit to one of our classes or to try out our program. An instructor is present 20 minutes before each class to answer your questions.

Classes incorporate all components of Aiki-jujutsu, kenjutsu and iaijutsu in addition to other classical samurai weapons. Each component is directly related to the other so we do not separate classes by discipline. Since we utilize principle-based learning, we also do not separate classes by “rank”. You may safely attend all of our classes no matter what your experience or ability.

Please wear plain clothes (shorts and t-shirt are fine) or an unmarked judo or karate gi for initial training.

No advance knowledge of a martial art is necessary. Our principles are often very different from other contemporary arts so even if you have prior training you’ll find that there are a lot of great concepts that may be new for your or presented in a different perspective.

Contact us today to watch or join a class.