NIDOME Kashima shinto ryu - Oak

BOkken NIDOME

Kashima Shinto Ryu 鹿島新当流  - Japanese wooden sword katana

White oak / red oak

Weight: about 850g

Length: 105cm

Solid, sturdy, shock-resistant, this Kashima Shinto Ryu bokuto has a straight, thick and very heavy blade. The tip of the blade is flat. That model is very similar to the Jikishinkage ryu bokken.

Kashima Shinto Ryu - also called Kashima Shin Ryu (鹿島 新 流) - is a school created by Tsukahara Bokuden, considered one of the greatest kenjutsu experts of all time. He went to "musha shugyo" during which he faced many renowned swordsmen but won all his duels. He died in 1571 at the age of 83 without ever having experienced defeat.

These bokken are made from Japanese oak from Kyushu (the southern part of Japan ) by NIDOME Bokuto Craft Company at Miyakonojo, in Kyushu. This company represented more than 80% of the bokken manufacturing market in Japan. Miyakonojo keeps the traditional way of manufacturing, such as  drying the wood naturally in order not to destroy the fibers of oak; therefore our bokken are solid and robust and can be used for a long time. NIDOME Company uses the wood taken from 70 years old trees.

In general, white oak is a little bit heavier (30 - 40g) than red oak. However, according to a study carried out by the Association for the defence of Japanese wood, density is about the same.