Equipment

The Soul of the Samurai

The Katana has long been regarded as the primary weapon of the samurai and is characterized as the “soul of the samurai”. This symbolizes a warrior’s devotion to his art. In Mugai Ryu, we train primarily with an Iaito (dull training metal blade).

For starters you only need a sword and belt. For the sword a wooden bokken with saya (sheath) would be enough, and eventually one can purchase an Iaito. You need an Obi (belt) to put the sword in, you can use anything in the beginning, but you should try and get a proper Iaido Obi as soon as possible. The next step would be getting a Keiko Gi (Hakama and Gi, training wear).

We work with our Honbu Dojo in Koln who work together with a Japanese supplier and can order Iaito for you delivered to the whole world. You can also order your Keiko Gi there.

A full list of the basic equipment as well as advanced equipment for higher ranks can be found below:

 Basic equipment

Hadagi	肌着	Under Shirt
Hakama	袴	Formal pleated divided skirt
Keikogi	稽古着	Training jacket
Obi	帯	Sash, holding the Gi and for carrying the sword
Tabi	足袋	Split toe socks
Bokken/Bokutō	木刀	Wooden (training) sword
Iaitō	居合い刀	Training sword, unsharpened (usually aluminum/zinc alloy)

Advanced Equipment

Shin Ken	真剣	Real (sharp) sword
Tatami omote	畳表	Upper layer of mats from Igusa-gras for cutting test (Tameshigiri)
Dai Shō	大小	„Big“ and „Small“ (applies to the sword Pair of Katana and Wakizashi, carried by Samurai)
Katana	刀	Sword
Wakizashi	脇差	Short sword
Nihontō	日本刀	Japanese Sword