What Bokken to Buy Depending on Its Wood

Don't know which bokken to buy? The truth is that your choice will depend on various factors. One of them, without a doubt, is the manufacturing material. But you also have to think about its purpose, that is, what will you use it for?

Remember that the bokken is used to replace the katana or Japanese sword in martial arts training. This way, the apprentice, and also the advanced person, can avoid possible accidents and injuries.

What bokken to buy according to its use

Popularised during the Muromachi period now more than 500 years ago, it is used for various martial arts. For example, for kenjutsu or classical Japanese fencing, in kendo, traditional fencing, or in iaido, which is the art of drawing and attacking with the sabre. It can also be used in jodo or stick fencing.

The bokken according to its wood

Composed of five parts, you should buy a bokken suitable for your purpose. For this, this weapon composed of tsuka (handle), kissaki (tip), tsuba (decorative round guard), tsuba dome (keeps the tsuba in place) and mune (opposite side of the edge) is manufactured of many different woods:

- White wood or white oak: they are the most common and popular. They are to forge weapons with smooth and highly resistant finishes.

- Red or cherry wood: offers impeccable and smooth finishes, with fresh but dry and resistant touches.

- Bamboo: for fast and resistant weapons, this wood is soft and will resist humidity very well.

- Ramin: the ramin bokken varies in colour, as it is easily dyed and it is usually made in black and brown. It is versatile, mild, mid-heavy and mid-hard.

- Other woods: some bokken are also made of other materials, such as maple, walnut, ebony or guayubira.

Find out which bokken to buy based on their manufacturing wood, design, and the capabilities of each of these materials.