What Is It?

A Shinai is a practice sword made in the mid 18th century, so people would have a relatively non-lethal way to practice with the sword. It was used mainly in the practice of Kendo (way of the sword) or Kenjutsu (Art of the sword). The usual weapon used in Kendo is the shinai. It is constructed of 4 pieces of split bamboo. The tip of the shinai is covered in leather; the four staves are held apart by a t- shaped piece of rubber. The staves are held together at the opposite end by a long leather handle. The handle is round rather than oval like a real Katana. A leather lace tied in a complicated knot about a third of the way from the tip keeps the staves from spreading too far apart. A string runs down one stave -it signifies the dull edge, or back of the sword. The split construction allows the staves to both flex and compress against each other, absorbing much of the energy of the blow. Attacks which miss the armour cause bruises; nothing more Shinai is best described as the beginning Samurai Sword or Katana movement. A Katana is the "Samurai" sword. Shinai is the bamboo practice of the Katana which allows the student to actually spar with weapons. The individual must develop his/her knowledge of the movement through practice with the Shinai before he attempts to practice with an actual Katana. The movements are straight and direct, moving from one point to the other. The individual develops an acute mental alertness with strong physical power through this type of practice. All sparring movements will improve from practice with a Shinai.