Shinai cord

[Bugeisha]

I'm pretty new to the whole sword thing, so I'd like to begin with a dumb question.
Are the red cords on the shinai just to hold them tight during shipping, or are they supposed to stay on the shinai during practice?
Thanks a bundle guys!

[Sochin]

Since a shinai has no edge, the string is to mark the back edge of the sword so you can develope edge awareness while you strike and not be practicing hitting with the flat or back edge.

[Ralutin]

I'm pretty new to the whole sword thing, so I'd like to begin with a dumb question.
Are the red cords on the shinai just to hold them tight during shipping, or are they supposed to stay on the shinai during practice?
Thanks a bundle guys!

Hi Dillon,

Those red strings are meant to hold the shinai tight during shipping and should be cut off prior to using. Do NOT cut the white or yellow string (tsuru) that runs down the length of the shinai. As mentioned in a previous post, the tsuru signifies the back edge or the dull part of the Japanese sword, which the shinai basically represents.

[Bugeisha]

Thanks guys. I was fairly sure that the white string was to help develope blade awareness, but I wasn't sure what the small red cords were for. I suspected that they were for shipping. Thanks for the quick answers!

[hyaku]

Thanks guys. I was fairly sure that the white string was to help develope blade awareness, but I wasn't sure what the small red cords were for. I suspected that they were for shipping. Thanks for the quick answers!

Its also a good idea to dismantle the shinai and round off the inner edges before use. It will last a lot longer. If you are not to sure about this there are some pages online that you can copy before attempting it.

[Bugeisha]

I'm actually just using bokken right now, but I work at an import store and we sell shinai, so I figured I should know. I'm studying abroad in Japan next fall, and I'm hoping to spend some time at the kendo club at the university I'll be at, so I will probably get a taste of shinai then...

[StanLee]

Thanks guys. I was fairly sure that the white string was to help develope blade awareness

The main function of the white string is to hold the shinai together. If that breaks during training then the seki-gawa (white leather cup at the end of the shinai) may come loose and there is the possibility of one of the bamboo staves flying out at your opponents eyes.

Results range from a blinding of the eyes to death.

Here is a good website about kendo for you

http://www.kendo.org.uk/clubs/edinburghkendo/manual.html