Bōgu Builder

Shogun Kendogu has always been proud to offer full custom kendo equipment, but acknowledge how overwhelming the range of choices can be....so we have fixed that problem! We would like to introduce the Shogun Kendogu “Bōgu Builder” – the first of its kind on the international bōgu market!

This technology has been designed and built from the ground up in order to help you make sense of all the options available to you when customising your ideal set of gear. There are, however, a number of terms that you may not yet be familiar with. Not to worry, we have you covered there, too!

This page explains the different terms used in the bōgu building process, and explains which areas you can customise on our Blue Label, White Label, Red Label, or Black Label equipment. 

Finally, please keep in mind that we worked hard to develop this technology. We would ask you to consider our Terms & Conditions and think twice before taking your designs elsewhere. 

Areas that can be customised

Ago – this is the front pad below the chin on your men – you may know as the place where tsuki is scored. It is important to match the colours used on the ago with the colours used on the mune.

Mune – this is the chest plate of the dou. This is like the ‘center-piece’ of any set and can be fully customised with both colours, patterns, and designs.

Dou-dai - the hard shell around your stomach. Usually this is a regular ‘gloss’ black, but also comes in a range of other colours and textures.

Other – the other areas of your bōgu that need to be considered are the kote and tare. In the Shogun Kendogu “Bōgu Builder” we have a given you the option to select a Black kazari colour or Tetsukon kazari colour on both kote and tare. You also have a range of options for the chidori colour of your tare!

Words and Terminology

Kazari – the Kazari is the fatter, rope-like stitching on the bōgu. For example, the bars across the panels of your tare, or the decorative stitching on the mune (chest plate) are called Kazari. In the Shogun Kendogu “Bōgu Builder” we have a given you the option to select a Black kazari or Tetsukon kazari.

Chidori – the Chidori colour refers to the small stitching on the bōgu. For example, you will see a row of “XXXXXX” chidori stitching on the tare just above the Kazari bars. This is a subtle yet important stitch as it can be matched with the Shokkou colour (see below) to bring your design together.

Shokkou – Shokkou refers to the weave or pattern that will feature on your ago and/or mune. There are six Shokkou patterns to choose from and a range of colours, too. Remember to choose the same Shokkou pattern and colour for your ago and mune!

One more thing to note about Shokkou colour – some designs allow you to have a ‘Main’ colour, and a ‘Lower’ colour. For instance, the “Kiku Oni Gumo” pattern (which you will find in the Kazari Pattern tab) has a row of “Kiku” along the bottom half of the mune. By browsing through the range of ‘Lower Shokkou’ colours, you can easily select the colour that looks best against the ‘Main Shokkou’ colour. Just remember that not all of the designs allow this feature, so it won’t work for all of the ago/mune. Please keep in mind that the colours on the “Bōgu Builder” are only intended to be a representation of the actual stitching colours. The colour selections you make may vary slightly to the finished product.

Tips and tricks for the Shogun Kendogu “Bōgu Builder”

• It is always best to consider your mune as the 'centerpiece' of your set. If you select a certain 'Shokkou Colour’ and 'Shokkou Pattern’ for the mune, it is often best to select the same features for the ago (tsuki pad).
  
• Remember to select the same colour kazari (Black or Tetsukon) for the ago, dou, kote, and tare!
  
• If you are browsing through options on your smartphone or tablet, landscape orientation provides the best view! A laptop or desktop computer will provide the best view.
  
• If you are having trouble seeing the images, colours, and designs in “Bōgu Builder” tab for a full set, try the same selections in the individual bōgu pages. These images will appear larger, and provide you with a better idea. Then, simply return to the full set page and apply the same settings.
  
• If you are having trouble seeing what has changed after a colour/design/pattern selection, try using a bright colour (like Light Kincha) first – this will show you what to look for, and you can then apply your favorite colour(s) instead.
  
• Please keep in mind that the colours on the “Bōgu Builder” are only intended to be a representation of the actual stitching colours. The colour selections you make may vary slightly to the finished product.
  
• Please also keep in mind that some browsers may not display the “Bōgu Builder” correctly. We recommend the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari for best results.