SHINAI MAINTENANCE

Disassembly Procedure

1. Untie the string (tsuru) at the handle. The string is usually tied and wrapped several times around the handle's leather draw stings.
2. Slip off the sakigawa and the nakyuki, keeping the string tied to these pieces. The nakayuki may require some twisting and pulling to slip it over any node. If required untie the nakayuki and re-tie it as shown below. Remove the rubber tip (saki gome) under the sakigawa.
3. Carefully slip off the tsukagawa. The tsukagawa may be hard to remove, twist and pull to loosen it and use gloves if necessary. The four staves are aligned using a small square metal piece inside the handle, take car not to loose this part. It is a good idea to number the staves, so that they can be assembled in the correct order.

Basic Maintenance Procedure

Before using a new shinai, round the stave edges and oil them. This will reduce the chance of the bamboo fraying and splintering during use.

Shinai Tool


Sand the side edges of
each stave
1. Use a shinai tool to remove large splinters and roughly smooth the side edges of each stave.
2. Use medium and fine sanding block, sand paper sheet or synthetic steel wool to finely smooth the side edges of each stave. This will allow the bamboo pieces to move freely against each and distribute the force.
3. After sanding the edges, lubricate the staves using shinai oil (or light mineral oil, do not use heavy oils) and a cotton cloth. Some kendoka prefer to use wax. The lubricant used is a personal preference, however oil will give the bamboo greater longevity. Soak the cotton cloth in oil and rub it into the back and sides of each stave. Allow it to soak for an hour (some kendoka prefer soaking it a longer time) and wipe off the excess oil with a clean cotton cloth.
4. Re-assemble the shinai. First insert the tsukagawa. New tsukagawa may require downward pressure and gloves to slide it into the tsuka. Next insert the nakayuki, rubber tip and sakigawa. Align the sakigawa string with the tsukagawa leather draw straps. If necessary re-tie the nakayuki as shown below. Finally, pull the string to give it good tension and wrap it around the tsukagawa leather straps to secure it.

Nakayuki Tying Procedure

1. Insert the nakayuki leather strap in the string (himo), then wrap it three times around the shinai staves. Bring the strap end under the string, then over the straps and under the himo (see figures below).
2. Bring the strap end under the previous wrap and pull tight.
3. Bring the strap end to the other side and under the himo, then under the previous strap and pull tight.
4. Bring the strap end to the other side and under the himo, then under the previous strap.
5. Pull the strap end tight.