There is a weight and size regulation for shinai to maintain the safety and fairness.
The size and weight varies depending on your age.
Junior High School (13 ~ 15 years old)
Boys - Length 114cm & under, weight over 440 grams.
Girls - Length 114cm & under, weight over 400 grams.
Senior High School (16 ~ high school 18 years old)
Boys - Length 117cm & under, weight over 480 grams.
Girls - Length 117cm & under, weight over 420 grams.
University & Adults (university 18 years old and up)
Boys - Length 120cm & under, weight over 510 grams.
Girls - Length 120cm & under, weight over 440 grams.
You can start nito from university & up and the following is the regulation.
- Boys, Daito - Length 114cm & under, weight over 440 grams.
- Boys, Shoto - Length 62cm & under, weight over 280~300 grams.
- Girls, Daito - Length 114cm & under, weight over 400 grams.
- Girls, Shoto - Length 62cm & under, weight over 250~280 grams.
Anybody younger than the above age group do not have any regulation.
It is recommended and comfortable to use a shinai with a length that reaches below their armpit from the bottom of their feet.
Shinai will always have number written at the tsuka (grip) part of the shinai.
This number refers to the length of that shinai.
It doesn't represent the length by centimetres or inches.
Do you know what the number represents?
This number represents the traditional Japanese measurement, 'shaku' (尺) and 'sun' (寸).
This measurement was used in Japan until the Second World War.
Shinai still uses this measurement to represent the length.
39 - 3 shaku 9 sun, approx. 120cm. (University and above)
38 - 3 shaku 8 sun, approx. 117cm. (Senior high school)
37 - 3 shaku 7 sun, approx. 114cm. (Junior high school)
36 - 3 shaku 6 sun, approx. 110cm.
34 - 3 shaku 4 sun, approx. 105cm.
32 - 3 shaku 2 sun, approx. 99cm.
30 - 3 shaku 0 sun, approx. 91
Please use a shinai that is appropriate for your age.
Our shinais will always meet the other safety regulations as long as you select the right sizing.
You can use it in competition right away.
Check our shinai selections:
Men's Shinai
Women's Shinai
Junior's Shinai
Shinai's weight balance varies depending on the shape/type of the shinai.
Check here to check our blog "Koto vs Dobari Shinai" for more info.
