The Edmonton Kendo and Naginata Club’s supplier for practice equipment is The Iron Monk. We insist that all new students purchase their shinai/naginata and other equipment from this source to ensure that they receive a product that is both regulation size and safe to use during practice.

Name	Picture	Description	Approximate Cost
Shinai		The standard sword for kendo. Consists of four bamboo staves held together by leather and string. To be purchased in the second or third month of practice.	$45 – $60
Bokken		A wooden sword similar in shape to a katana that is used to practice kendo kata. To be purchased after students have graded for their bogu.	$25 – $50
Naginata		The standard polearm for naginata. Consists of a hard bamboo stave with a flexible bamboo blade at the tip. To be purchased in the second or third month of practice.	$120
Keiko-gi		Practice shirt. Typically dark blue for kendo though women and children are allowed to wear white. Typically white for naginata. To be purchased in the fourth to sixth month of practice.	$40
Hakama		Practice pants. Typically dark blue or black for kendo and naginata though women and children are allowed to wear white. To be purchased in the fourth to sixth month of practice.	$80
Bogu		Practice armor. Consists of a men (helmet), kote (gauntlets), do (chest protector), and tare (hip protector). In addition, naginata members wear sune-ate (shin guards).	$400 – $800 for machine-made quality, $1000+ for hand-made quality

The EKNC offers a subsidy program where club members who are eligible to begin practice in bogu may apply for financial assistance with the purchase of their first bogu armor set. Please ask Bozzer Sensei for details.