Why Hokubei Budogu Is the Best Place to Shop for Your Kendo Equipment
You've been training hard. Your shinai is starting to show its age, your bogu needs an upgrade, or maybe you're just starting out and have no idea where to begin. Wherever you are in your kendo journey, one thing is certain: the gear you train with matters. And where you buy it matters just as much.
Here's why kendoka across North America are choosing Hokubei Budogu.
We're Kendoka Too
Hokubei Budogu was founded by Yong Wook Back, a yondan kendoka who started this store out of a genuine love for the sport. This isn't a generic sporting goods operation run by people who've never held a shinai. Every product we carry has been evaluated through the lens of real, on-the-floor experience.
When we recommend a shinai or a bogu set, we're not reading off a spec sheet. We're drawing on years of keiko.
Hand-Picked Gear from the Best Manufacturers
We source directly from top manufacturers in Japan and Korea, hand-picking only the gear that meets our standards for quality, durability, and performance on the floor.
Our shinai lineup covers every style and preference:
Shiro - A reliable keichiku practice shinai built for daily keiko
Kanshin - The customer favorite: balanced, refined madake koto
Onimaru - Thick grip, heavier feel for those who prefer more presence in hand
Yaetsurugi - Hakkaku koban profile for a distinct octagonal grip
Kabutowari - Forward-weighted keichiku dobari for specific striking styles
Enbu - Madake koto designed specifically for women, with tailored sizing and balance
Every shinai is SSP-approved. No compromises.
Free Personalized Consultations
Not sure which bogu is right for you? Not confident about sizing? We offer free one-on-one consultations via Zoom so you can get expert guidance without leaving home. This is the kind of personalized service you won't find on a big-box sports site.
We want you to end up with gear that fits your body, your budget, and your kendo. That's it.
Free Shipping on Orders Over $100
For U.S. customers, orders over $100 ship free. Most kendo equipment purchases qualify, so you get premium gear delivered to your door without the extra cost.
We're Invested in the Kendo Community
Shopping at Hokubei Budogu means supporting a business that gives back. We organize the annual Washington DC Kendo Cup, co-organize the Memphis Kendo Cup, run the Team Hokubei Budogu youth sponsorship program, and created KendoNearMe.com to help practitioners find legitimate dojos and events near them.
We're not just selling equipment. We're building the kendo community in North America.
Trusted by Dojos and Clubs
We work with around 20 regular kendo dojos and clubs across North America, providing volume discounts and consistent supply for group purchases. If you're a club looking for a reliable equipment partner, we'd love to talk.
Happy Keiko Is the Goal
At the end of the day, everything we do comes back to one thing: your kendo. Better gear, better fits, better support, and a community that has your back. That's what Hokubei Budogu is here for.
Happy Keiko.