Kendo Grading Exams | Best Equipment Recommendations by Dan Rank
—Are You Really Prepared to Pass?—
A grading exam isn’t just a checkpoint—it’s a test of your entire kendo journey.
Even if you've trained hard, there’s one thing many practitioners overlook:
Your kendo equipment.
“It's still usable.”
“I’ve had it for years.”
Do these sound familiar to you?
Worn-out bogu, ill-fitting hakama, or an unbalanced shinai could be silently working against your success.
Passing a dan exam isn't just about technique. It’s about presence, refinement, and the power that radiates the moment you take kamae.
Today, we’re sharing rank-specific gear recommendations to help you pass with more confidence.
Don’t let your equipment hold you back from passing—let it elevate your performance.
🔍 Review the Summary of Dan Grading Criteria (All Japan Kendo Federation / FIK)
1st–3rd Dan:
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Correct attire and etiquette
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Proper posture
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Basic, accurate strikes
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Strong fighting spirit
4th–5th Dan:
All of the above, plus:
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Mastery of applied techniques
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Level of training and maturity
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Timing and match control
6th–8th Dan:
All of the above, plus:
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Deep understanding (ri-ai)
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Dignity and presence
🥋 For 1st–3rd Dan | Refine the Basics, Build a Clean Image
At these levels, your appearance and basics matter more than you think.
Hand-down bogu or oversized/short hakama can make even a strong kenshi look unprepared.
✅ Recommended Gear:
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Well-fitted uniform and hakama set (shrink-resistant, lightweight, easy-care)
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Beginner-friendly shinai (ensures correct grip and blade angle)
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Protective and well-sized bogu for starters (focus on comfort and safety)
💡 Tip: Good gear builds confidence. And confidence leads to better performance.
VIXIA Kendo Gi
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/vixia-kendo-gi
Grip Master Shinai
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/shinai-grip-master
Bogu Set ISSHIN
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/bogu-set-issen
⚔️ For 4th–5th Dan | Unlock Precision and Speed
Applied waza is the key here—kaeshi, debana, suriage, nidan waza, and more.
You’ll need gear that keeps up with fast-paced exchanges and lets you move fluidly.
✅ Recommended Gear:
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Responsive shinai with fine tip balance
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Quick-dry, breathable keikogi and hakama
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Lightweight, flexible bogu (built for mobility and control)
💡 Tip: Don’t let sluggish equipment affect you in that one decisive moment.
Fugo Shinai
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/shinai-fugo
VIXIA TRAD Kendo Gi
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/gi-vixia-trad
Bogu Set ISSEN
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/bogu-set-issen
🧘 For 6th–8th Dan | Let Presence Speak Louder Than Strikes
Here, fewer strikes mean more. One perfect ippon outshines ten random strikes.
You’ll be judged on composure, timing, and how deeply your techniques reflect the essence of kendo.
✅ Recommended Gear:
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Heavier, tip-focused shinai (for stability and control)
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Premium indigo-dyed cotton uniform (refined appearance)
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High-grade bogu with dignity and resilience (neither too heavy nor too light)
💡 Tip: The silence before a strike should feel like power held in reserve. Your gear should enhance that.
Ryo Shinai
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/shinai-ryo
Indigo Dyed Tournament Kendo Gi and Hakama Set
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/indigo-dyed-tournament-kendo-gi-and-hakama-set
Bogu Set HIRYU
https://budogu-zen.ca/products/bogu-set-hiryu
❗ Ask Yourself: Is My Kendo Gear Helping Me Pass?
Striking too much? Losing focus?
Your shinai balance, stiffness of your equipment, or bogu's fitting might be part of the problem.
The right tools don’t just support your movements—they eliminate hesitation, enhance timing, and embody confidence.
🎯 Final Word: Equipment Amplifies Skill
Kendo gear is not just protection. It’s your unspoken introduction.
Before you strike, before you move—your equipment tells the judges whether you are well prepared or not.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Let your gear match the level of your spirit.
We’re here to support your true best ippon.