Revision 148520450 of "Shinai" on enwiki

[[Image:Shinai.jpg|thumb|300px|A ''Shinai'' made from [[bamboo]]]]
A '''shinai''' ({{lang-ja|竹刀}}) is a practice weapon used primarily in ''[[kendo]]'' and is used as if it were a [[sword]]. ''Shinai'' are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently than ''kendo shinai'' and are represented with different [[kanji|characters]].

Sizes and style of ''shinai'' vary.  For example, an adult male may be able to use a shinai that is too heavy for a female or a younger person, so ''shinai'' with different characteristics are made.  ''Shinai'' are available in many styles and balances.  Most are made of dried ''bamboo'', some may also be treated (smoked or resin soaked) or made from [[carbon fiber]] re-inforced resin or other approved alternative materials.

In ''kendo'' the majority of students use one ''shinai'', this style has its roots in the tradition of ''itto'' (one sword). However, some ''kendoka'' use two ''shinai'', in ''ni-to'', a style that has its roots in the tradtional two sword schools of swordsmanship.  A ''ni-to'' player uses a longer ''shinai'' (''daito''), usually held in the right hand and a shorter ''shinai'' (''shoto''), usually held in the left hand.

==Construction==
The ''shinai'' is made of three or four slats (''take''), which are held together by three [[leather]] fittings; a ''tsuka-gawa'' (handle); a ''saki-gawa'' (tip) and a ''nakayui'' (a leather strip).  All are secured with a ''tsuru'' (string).

The ''nakayui'' is tied about one-quarter of the full length of the ''shinai'' from the tip (''kensen''); this holds the slats together and also marks the proper ''kendo'' striking portion of the ''shinai'' (''datotso-bu'').

Inserted between the ends of the slats, under the ''saki-gawa'' is a [[plastic]] plug, ''saki-gomu'' and inside the ''tsuka-gawa'' there is a small square of metal (''chigiri''), that secures the slats.

==Care of Shinai==
A ''shinai'' must be properly taken care of or it can pose a danger to both the user, and the people around it. ''Shinai'' should be inspected for splinters and breaks before and after use, and taken care of in the manner considered most appropriate by one's style, ''[[dojo]]'', or ''[[sensei]]''.

Many people believe that oiling and sanding a ''shinai'' prior to use, and periodically during use can greatly extend its life. However, even in Japan, people disagree on what is considered proper ''shinai'' care and there is much lore and myth surrounding various methods.

To properly inspect a ''shinai'', one first examines the area around the ''datotso-bu'', looking on all sides of the ''shinai'' for splinters. Bamboo splinters infect easily, so care should be taken. The ''saki-gawa'' should be intact and the ''tsuru'' should be tight so that the ''saki-gawa'' cannot slip off the end of the shinai while in use. In addition, the ''nakayui'' should be tight enough as to not rotate easily.

When not in use shinai may be properly placed against a wall with the handle pointing downward. When a shinai is placed on the ground it is considered proper etiquette to not step over it.

==Regulations==
In kendo competitions that follow the FIK rules, there are regulated weights and lengths for the use of ''shinai''.<ref>"The Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan". Published 7 December 2006, International Kendo Federation, Tokyo, Japan.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+Table A. FIK Specifications for competition use of one Shinai (Itto).
!Specification
!Gender
!Junior High School (12-15 yrs)
!Senior High School (15-18 yrs)
!University students and Adults (18yrs+)
|-
!'''Maximum length'''
|Male & female
|114cm
|117cm
|120cm
|-
!'''Minimum weight'''
|Male
|440g
|480g
|510g
|-
!'''Minimum weight'''
|Female
|400g
|420g
|440g
|-
!'''Minimum diameter of sakigawa'''
|Male
|25mm
|26mm
|26mm
|-
!'''Minimum diameter of sakigawa'''
|Female
|24mm
|25mm
|25mm
|-
!'''Minimum length of sakigawa'''
|Male and Female
|50mm
|50mm
|50mm
|}
Shinais are weighed complete with leather fittings, but without tsuba or tsuba dome. Maximum diameter of tsuba - 9cm.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table B. FIK Specifications for competition use of two Shinai (Nito).
!Specification
!Gender
!Daito (long shinai)
!Shoto (short shinai)
|-
!'''Maximum length'''
|Male & female
|114cm
|62cm
|-
!'''Minimum weight'''
|Male
|440gm
|280~300gm
|-
!'''Minimum weight'''
|Female
|400gm
|250~280gm
|-
!'''Minimum diameter of sakigawa'''
|Male
|25mm
|24mm
|-
!'''Minimum diameter of sakigawa'''
|Female
|24mm
|24mm
|-
|}
Shinais are weighed complete with leather fittings, but without tsuba or tsuba dome. Maximum diameter of tsuba - 9cm.

{| class="wikitable"
|+Commercial Shinai Sizing
|-
! Size 
! colspan=2 style="width:100px"| Length 
| rowspan=5|
! Size
! colspan=2 style="width:100px"| Length 
|- style="text-align:center"
! 28
| 36" || 92 cm
! 36
| 44" || 112 cm
|- style="text-align:center"
! 30
| 38" || 97 cm
! 37
| 45" || 114 cm
|- style="text-align:center"
! 32
| 40" || 102 cm
! 38
| 46" || 117 cm
|- style="text-align:center"
! 34
| 42" || 107 cm
! 39
| 47" || 120 cm
|}

==Trivia==
*The ''shinai'' has become a popular tool/weapon in [[Professional wrestling]], due to its intimidating look and the loud cracking sound it makes once it strikes someone. It is frequently called a "Singapore cane" or "kendo stick". It is especially identified with the professional wrestler [[Jim Fullington|The Sandman]]. It was also identified with wrestlers [[Steve Blackman]], [[Tommy Dreamer]], and [[Peter Polaco|Justin Credible]], as well as wrestling executive [[Shane McMahon]] during his occasional appearances as a wrestler. [[Scott Levy|Raven]] uses a shinai to punish/torture his faction, [[Raven's Nest|Serotonin]], when they lose or go out of line. Raven uses it as a weapon as does the whole faction. He considers it a motivational tool.
*In the manga & anime, [[Rurouni Kenshin]] by [[Nobuhiro Watsuki]], [[Myojin Yahiko]] uses a ''shinai''.

==See also==
*[[Kendo]]
*[[Bokken]]
*[[Waster]]

[[Category:Japanese swords]]
[[Category:Corporal punishments]]

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