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Tsubasa Brand is a line of innovative, customizable Kendo Bogu models made in Japan.
The Tsubasa Brand Bogu series concept consists in offering a clever cut and effective design, to make the "only one Bogu set is enough for everything" statement possible, but also to make the user love wearing it due to the balance in durability, protection, comfort and apearance, which is the result of making the best use of the techniques and skills of the already experienced artisan out there, utilizing a selection of materials that do the job, but leaving the posibility of customizing or enhacing them if the customer feels like it.
We consider this line of products to be on top of the standard machine stitched Bogu in general, since it requires not only good materials and skillfully artisans to craft these pieces of art, but also the expert work of designing which comes from the combination of Kendo and Kendogu knowledge and the proper method of making Bogu and its materials, without forgetting the customer's budget.
Nowadays is easy to find affordable options which are good enough to practice Kendo, and we offer this kind of products too (Tsubasa Budogu's entry level models). However, for those who want to invest a little more on something we think is way better, while supporting the professionals behind each design and artisans behind each stitch, as well as the study, originality and work behind Tsubasa Brand, we cannot recommend it enough!
Tsubasa Brand Models can actually be enough as your only Bogu Set for everything (and save you some cash), instead of the tendency of buying a cheap training set besides a the set for competition and, lets not forget, another set for examination. Although we adhere to the idea of increasing the life (durability) of a gear by interchanging the pair of Kote, or your whole set, for another one every week or so, but we also believe the same Kendo equipment, uniform and Shinai should be used a certain amount of time at minimum, to grasp the sensation, otherwise, if you keep changing the balance and weight of your equipment often (in every practice) is not only challenging but also urges your Kendo to change and adapt to the differences you get with each equipment, which could interrupt the learning process you might be experiencing at a certain moment.
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Tsubasa Platinum, a model made in Kontan (indigo dyed cotton fabric) and Orizashi (indigo dyed thick knitted cotton fabric) with the borders and Tsukidare reinforcements in Kongawa (indigo dyed deer leather) but with some Urakawa (back reinforcements) in Clarino. It's our most "Jissen-gata" or competition type of Bogu model without compromising protectiveness (as it usually happens with all the Jissengata models on the market!).
It features a Hajou-Diamond (diamonds in wave pattern) stitching for a durable and sturdy Futon with unique appearance. The Uchiwa or inner ring for placing the face is made in Tetknit (polyester mesh) for better breathability, flexibility and quick-drying. The Men-buton cut and the Mendare Kazari are completely original (Tsubasa Budogu trademark) as well as the Ago's Bisha-Kazari on deerskin. The palms are white deerskin for a "barehand feeling" and the fully Orizashi fist has machine sewed threads instead of the usual thick Kazari-Ito, for a better mobility, comfort and to avoid the pain that sometimes emerges due to friction with the opposite part of the Kazari-threads themselves, specially on the finger area. The Tare has an Orizashi layer protecting the Obi and the pleats, and deerskin for the Herikawa except on the center Odare, which is Fukuronui (folded and sewed on itself without border-reinforcement to make it a little lighter-weight) and deerskin Kakugawa for helping to hold the Nafuda/Zekken properly in place. The Tare-Himo are made with thin tip for an easy-tying and the pleats have their Kazari-Ito placed in a certain way to improve the performance in terms of mobility. The Futon in general is compressed and light-weight, but with the type of stitching together with thicker cushion on critical areas it actually offers a fairly good level of protection without loosing comfort. The base Mengane selected for this model is IBB Duralumin for a well balanced light-weight Men, but it can be changed on the options if you prefer another one.
* The Tsubasa Platinum in a nutshell: Outstanding appearance. Professional or first-class performance.
* This is a multipurpose Bogu Set. However, the optimum suggested use is: Competition.
* Maintenance: After each use, just spray some water on the Futon (cotton-fabric, not the leather) areas where sweat concentrated the most, and let the Futon dry before the next use. Also stretch the Tenouchi (palms) so they don't dry having wrinkles on its surface, which could lead to holes. In case of dry weather, it is recomended to spray water droplets before using the gear, only on the futon area, and apply (and let dry before use) Mink Oil or Leather Cream on the palms one time per 2 weeks or when you feel it's necessary. (!) Do not expose the Bogu to direct sunlight for prolongated time. (!) If you wash your Bogu parts, avoid submerging it or directly watering the Menbuchi (the outer ring made of black lacquered leather, where the Mengane or metal cage is connected to the Futon). And remember, a very dry Bogu in dry weather will lose its fabric-flexibility, becoming prone to break apart.
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