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For the village near Anjar, Kutch, Gujarat, India, see Shinai village.

A shinai (竹刀, shinai^?) is a practice weapon used primarily in kendo and is used as if it were a sword. Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently than kendo shinai and are represented with different characters.

Sizes and style of shinai vary. For example, an adult male may be able to use a shinai that is too heavy for a female or a younger person, so shinai with different characteristics are made. Shinai are available in many styles and balances.

In kendo the majority of students use one shinai, this style has its roots in the tradition of itto (one sword). However, some kendoka use two shinai, in ni-to, a style that has its roots in the tradtional two sword schools of swordsmanship. A ni-to player uses a longer shinai (daito), usually held in the left hand and a shorter shinai (shoto), usually held in the right hand.

Contents 1 Construction 2 Care of Shinai 3 Regulations 4 See also 5 References

The shinai is made of four slats (take), which are held together by three leather fittings; a tsuka-gawa (handle); a saki-gawa (tip) and a nakayui (a leather strip). All are secured with a tsuru (string).

The slats of a shinai are made from dried bamboo, some may also be treated (smoked or resin soaked) or made from carbon fibre reinforced resin or other approved alternative materials.

The nakayui is tied about one-third of the length of the exposed bamboo from the tip (kensen); this holds the slats together and also marks the proper kendo striking portion of the shinai (datotso-bu).

Inserted between the ends of the slats, under the saki-gawa is a plastic plug, saki-gomu and inside the tsuka-gawa there is a small square of metal (chigiri), that secures the slats.

A shinai must be properly taken care of or it can pose a danger to both the user, and the people around it. Shinai should be inspected for splinters and breaks before and after use, and taken care of in the manner considered most appropriate by one's style, dojo, or sensei.

Many people believe that oiling and sanding a shinai prior to use, and periodically during use can greatly extend its life. However, even in Japan, people disagree on what is considered proper shinai care and there is much lore and myth surrounding various methods.

To properly inspect a shinai, one first examines the area around the datotso-bu, looking on all sides of the shinai for splinters. Bamboo splinters infect easily, so care should be taken. The saki-gawa should be intact and the tsuru should be tight so that the saki-gawa cannot slip off the end of the shinai while in use. In addition, the nakayui should be tight enough as to not rotate easily.

When not in use, shinai may be properly placed against a wall with the handle pointing downward. When a shinai is placed on the ground it is also considered improper etiquette to step over it.

In kendo competitions that follow the FIK rules, there are regulated weights and lengths for the use of shinai.^[1]

Table A. FIK Specifications for competition use of one Shinai (Itto).

Specification	Gender	Junior High School (12-15 yrs)	Senior High School (15-18 yrs)	University students and Adults (18yrs+)
Maximum length	Male & female	114cm	117cm	120cm
Minimum weight	Male	440g	480g	510g
Minimum weight	Female	400g	420g	440g
Minimum diameter of sakigawa	Male	25mm	26mm	26mm
Minimum diameter of sakigawa	Female	24mm	25mm	25mm
Minimum length of sakigawa	Male and Female	50mm	50mm	50mm

Shinais are weighed complete with leather fittings, but without tsuba or tsuba dome. Maximum diameter of tsuba - 9cm.

Table B. FIK Specifications for competition use of two Shinai (Nito).

Specification	Gender	Daito (long shinai)	Shoto (short shinai)
Maximum length	Male & female	114cm	62cm
Weight	Male	440gm minimum	280~300gm maximum
Weight	Female	400gm minimum	250~280gm maximum
Minimum diameter of sakigawa	Male	25mm	24mm
Minimum diameter of sakigawa	Female	24mm	24mm

Shinais are weighed complete with leather fittings, but without tsuba or tsuba dome. Maximum diameter of tsuba - 9cm.

Commercial Shinai Sizing

Size	Length			Size	Length
28	36"	92 cm		36	44"	112 cm
30	38"	97 cm		37	45"	114 cm
32	40"	102 cm		38	46"	117 cm
34	42"	107 cm		39	47"	120 cm

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