Shinai – Bamboo Practice Sword
A shinai is a bamboo practice sword used in Japanese martial arts such as Kendo. It is used to reduce potential injuries that might occur if a metal katana or hard wood bokken was used for training.
A shinai is roughly 3 to 4 feet in length usually consisting of a plastic tip (sakigawa), four shafts of split bamboo for the “blade” and a handle.
How To Build A Shinai – Part One
How To Build A Shinai – Part Two
References
- Cleveland Kendo Association, Equipment, http://www.clevelandkendo.com/equipment.htm, Added – 03/30/14