Japanese Artisan Brands
Nogawa Sensyoku 野川染織
"Bushu‐ichi" is an original brand designed and manufactured by Nogawa Sensyoku Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Saitama, Japan. It offers high-quality kendo uniforms and hakama, handcrafted by skilled artisans using traditional Japanese indigo dyeing techniques.
Made using the "pre-dyed" technique using natural indigo, the uniforms develop a beautiful, deep "kachiiro" colour with each wash. Their durability and long-lasting wear have earned them high praise in the kendo world.
"Kachiiro" refers to a deep indigo colour that's almost black. It's a traditional Japanese colour worn by samurai warriors in hopes of victory, a play on the word "kachi" (winning) and the process of "katsu" (pounding) used to soak the indigo into the fabric.
Mitsuboshi ミツボシ
Founded over 70 years ago, this major Japanese martial arts equipment manufacturer has developed popular brands such as "峰 (Mine)," "天 (Ten)," and "豪 (Go)," particularly in the field of kendo armour. They offer high-quality men, kote, do, and tare, and are popular with many swordsmen for their ease of use, fit, durability, and design. Committed to domestic production, they combine traditional manufacturing methods with the latest technology to continue producing products that meet the needs of a wide range of practitioners, from beginners to advanced.
All Japan Budogu 全日本剣道具製作所
All Japan Kendo Equipment Factory, based in Miyazaki, Japan, is the only long-established kendo equipment manufacturer in Japan that can manufacture all parts of kendo equipment in-house. Founded in 1937, the company is known for its high technical capabilities and quality, including the development of machine-stitched Kendo gear and its products designated as traditional crafts, and operates popular brands such as "New ALL JAPAN PITCH" and "MUGEN."
View All Japan Budogu Products
Matsukan 松勘工業
Matsukan Kogyo is a long-established kendo equipment manufacturer with over 100 years of history, producing and selling martial arts equipment such as kendo armour, kendo uniforms, and shinai. While balancing tradition and innovation, the company leads the industry with products that pursue functionality. They offer high-quality domestically produced products and popular brands such as "Kanmuri," "Hirameki," and "Katsujin."
Fuji-Daruma フジダルマ
This is a brand of kendo armour and kendo uniform by Anshin Shokai, Ltd., known for its Daruma brand. It is characterized by the use of lightweight, stretchy materials to ensure ease of movement for swordsmen. Among them, "Kindaruma" is known as the top model that is lightweight, quick-drying, and luxurious.
Shobu-do 正武堂
It refers to two specialty stores, Tokyo Shobudo and Gifu Shobudo, both of which are long-established businesses that manufacture, sell, and repair kendo equipment, offering high-quality hand-stitched and machine-stitched protective gear by skilled artisans. Tokyo Shobudo is particularly known for its unique products, such as its "鐵 (Tetsu)" series, and also offers custom-made products to meet customer requests. They pursue functionality and comfort as kendo "equipment," and can be said to support the culture and techniques of kendo.
Tozando 東山堂
A Kyoto-based manufacturer and distributor of martial arts equipment, the company produces and sells high-quality protective gear, clothing, swords, and other items, primarily for kendo, iaido, and aikido. They also provide products to martial artists overseas, contributing to the development of Japanese martial arts culture.
Their symbol is the single kanji character "武(bu)". The character "武(bu)" is a combination of the kanji for "戈 (hoko)" : (spear) and "止(tomaru)": (stop), which originally meant "to stop a fight," based on the Confucian meaning "stopping conflict," embodying the spirit of "great harmony" that calms conflict.
Kenbudo 建武堂
Kenbudo is a historic martial arts equipment store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, established in 1904 (Meiji 37). Specializing in kendo, the shop also manufactures and sells protective gear and equipment for judo, karate, naginata, and other martial arts. Since the Meiji era, it has been a trusted supplier to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and other law enforcement agencies. Known for high-quality kendo equipment crafted by skilled artisans, Kendo Budo is recognized as a pillar of Japan's martial arts community.