View source for Bōgu

{{short description|Training armor worn in kendo}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}}
[[File:Bogu.jpg|thumb|A set of {{Transliteration|ja|bōgu}} for kendo]]
[[File:Kendo.JPG|thumb|Kendo practitioners wearing {{Transliteration|ja|bōgu}} in training]]
{{Nihongo3|'armour'|防具|'''Bōgu'''}},<ref name="Kendo">{{cite book |url={{Google books |id=VDkQpt-WCRYC |page=22 |plainurl=yes }} |last=Broderick |first=Jeff |year=2004 |title=Kendo |publisher=Mariélle Renssen |page=21 |isbn=1-84330-590-9 }}</ref> properly called {{nihongo3|'kendo equipment'|剣道具|kendōgu}}, is training armour used primarily in the [[Japanese martial arts|Japanese martial art]] of [[kendo]],<ref name="Uchida2005">Uchida, M. (2005): [http://www.mushinkankendo.com/lesson_bogu.html Kendo Bogu (Protective Equipment)] (October 2005). Retrieved on 12 May 2010.</ref><ref name="KendoAmerica2002">[http://www.kendo-usa.org/reference/bogu.htm Kendo America: Bogu] (2002). Retrieved on 12 May 2010.</ref> with variants used for [[jūkendō]], tankendo, and [[naginatajutsu|naginata]].

==History==
During the [[Edo period]] (1603-1868) the use of real swords for training purposes was discouraged due to injuries, with wooden practice swords in the form of {{Transliteration|ja|[[Bokken|bokken/bokuto]]}} and {{Transliteration|ja|[[shinai]]}} were often used instead. To further reduce injuries, practice armour based on traditional samurai armor was developed, with this practice armour being the basis for the modern {{Transliteration|ja|bōgu}}.<ref>{{Cite book |url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=Z9lmmkvQOpoC |page=272 }} |title=Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan |first=Oscar |last=Ratti |first2=Adele |last2=Westbrook |publisher=Tuttle |year=1991 |isbn=0-8048-1684-0 |page=272 }}</ref>

==Description and use==
The word {{Transliteration|ja|"bōgu"}} consists of two parts: {{Transliteration|ja|'bō'}}, meaning "protect" or "defend," and {{Transliteration|ja|'gu'}}, meaning "equipment" or "tool."<ref name="Uchida2005"/> A set of {{Transliteration|ja|bōgu}} has four components:<ref name="Uchida2005"/><ref name="KendoAmerica2002"/>

* {{Nihongo||面|men}}: combined face mask and shoulder protectors ([[helmet]]);
* {{Nihongo||小手|kote}}: hand and forearm protectors ([[Gauntlet (glove)|gauntlets]]);
* {{Nihongo||胴|dō}}: torso protector ([[breastplate]]);
* {{Nihongo||垂れ|tare}}: groin and leg protectors ([[Faulds (armour)|faulds]]).

A fifth component, {{Nihongo||脛当て|sune-ate}} (shin protectors, or [[greave]]s), are worn by naginatajutsu practitioners.

==={{Transliteration|ja|Men}}===
[[File:Men (kendo).jpg|100px|thumbnail|right|{{Transliteration|ja|Men}}]]
The {{Transliteration|ja|men}} protects the face, neck, and shoulders. It consists of a facemask with several horizontal metal bars running the entire width of the face, from the chin to the top of the head. To this is attached a long rectangular thick cloth padding that curves over the top of the head and extends to cover the shoulders. A throat protector is attached to the bottom of the facemask. The {{Transliteration|ja|men}} is held in place with a pair of woven cords that wrap around the head and are tied at the back. The back of the {{Transliteration|ja|men}} is left open for ventilation and the back of the head is unprotected. The target areas of the {{Transliteration|ja|men}} are the centre top, and upper left and right sides for cutting strikes and the centre of the throat protector for a thrust.<ref name="Sasamori:Warner:1964p77">{{cite book |last1=Sasamori |first1=Junzo |first2=Gordon |last2= Warner |author2-link=Gordon Warner |title=This is Kendo |publisher=Charles E. Tuttle |year=1964 |location=Japan |pages=77 |isbn=0-8048-0574-1}}</ref>

==={{Transliteration|ja|Kote}}===
[[File:Kote.jpg|100px|thumbnail|right|{{Transliteration|ja|Kote}}]]
The {{Transliteration|ja|kote}} are mitten-like gloves. They were designed expressly for kendo.{{sfnp|Sasamori|Warner|1964|page=52}} While appearing to be cumbersome, enough mobility is allowed to grip the {{Transliteration|ja|shinai}} in a comfortable, powerful, and firm way. {{Transliteration|ja|Kote}} for naginatajutsu practitioners have a singulated index finger and thumb to better facilitate the rapid shifting of the hands along the length of the {{Transliteration|ja|naginata}}'s shaft.{{citation needed|date=May 2010}} {{Transliteration|ja|Naginata kote}} have a little less padding than those used for kendo.{{citation needed|date=May 2010}} In the past, {{Transliteration|ja|kote}} were often made with fully articulated fingers. This is rarely seen today as there can be a safety issue with snagged fingers. A special heavily padded design known as {{nihongo||鬼小手|oni-gote}} are used by some {{Transliteration|ja|[[koryu]]}}, most notably [[Itto-ryu]].{{citation needed|date=May 2010}} The target area is the wrist portion of each {{Transliteration|ja|kote}}.<ref name="Sasamori:Warner:1964p77" />

==={{Transliteration|ja|Dō}}===
[[File:Do kendo.jpg|100px|thumbnail|right|{{Transliteration|ja|Dō}}]]
The main component of the {{Transliteration|ja|dō}} is the gently-curving stomach and chest protector. The modern form has a pronounced bulge to help direct the force of strikes away from the soft areas in the middle of the torso.{{citation needed|date=May 2010}} [[Lacquer]]ed bamboo is traditionally used although lacquered paper 'fibre' (frequently misidentified as [[fiberglass]]) or moulded plastic are used for less expensive {{Transliteration|ja|dō}}.{{citation needed|date=May 2010}} The {{Transliteration|ja|dō}} is supported from the shoulders by two diagonal ties and is restrained at the small of the back with another set of ties. The target areas of the {{Transliteration|ja|dō}} are the two lower sides for a slashing cut to the stomach.<ref name="Sasamori:Warner:1964p77" /> The top half of the {{Transliteration|ja|dō}} is a valid target for a thrust in naginata.{{citation needed|date=May 2010}} In the past, this was also a valid target for a thrust in Kendo.{{citation needed|date=May 2010}}

==={{Transliteration|ja|Tare}}===
[[File:Tare.jpg|100px|thumbnail|right|{{Transliteration|ja|Tare}}]]
The {{Transliteration|ja|tare}} is a thick cloth belt that wraps around the waist and ties under the front flap in front of the groin. Sturdy cloth covered flaps hang from the belt to protect the upper legs and groin. The flaps run along half of the belt's length, which should be positioned over the front half of the body. The centre flap is usually covered with a name tag—{{nihongo||ゼッケン|zekken}} or {{nihongo||名札|nafuda}}—that identifies the name of the wearer and the {{Transliteration|ja|[[dōjō]]}} or country they represent.{{citation needed|date=May 2010}} There is no target point on {{Transliteration|ja|tare}}, it is for protection against off-target and accidental strikes.{{citation needed|date=May 2010}}

==See also==
[[File:Kendo_Bōgu.JPG|thumb|right|Japanese kendo equipment]]
* [[Hogu]] – armour worn by taekwondo athletes during sparring

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bogu}}
[[Category:Japanese martial arts terminology]]
[[Category:Kendo]]
[[Category:Japanese martial arts equipment]]
[[Category:Japanese armour]]
[[Category:Samurai armour]]