Shinai

A shinai made of bamboo

A shinai (竹刀) is a Japanese sword typically made of bamboo used for practice and competition in kendō.[1] Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently from kendō shinai, and represented with different characters. The light, soft wood used in a shinai distinguishes it from other wooden swords such as a bokuto (木刀), usually called a bokken (木剣) outside Japan, which is generally made of heavier, sturdier wood.

  1. ^ Hall, David A. (2012). Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts. New York: Kodansha. pp. 256–67, 431. ISBN 9781568364100.