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TENJIN Dobari Shinai
Our elite Shinai in a Dobari profile, made from ‘Bungo Chiku’: Japanese Madake bamboo from the Bungo region, today’s Ōita Prefecture. A powerful, solid strike, with the balance drawn towards the hands.
The TENJIN Dobari Shinai is the finest Shinai in our range, in a Dobari profile. It is made from ‘Bungo Chiku’, Madake bamboo grown in the Bungo region of Japan, now Ōita Prefecture, with a very dense skin and thick walls. The bamboo resists bending and flexes less on impact, so every strike lands with a hard, weighty feel.
Its Dobari Jissengata profile has a broader body, fuller through the lower section, and a thinner tip, both bringing the balance closer to the hands. Behind its rugged look sits a finely judged balance. Its name, 天神, means heavenly deity. TENJIN is made to your specification: choose your fittings and Tsuru colour, or order the bamboo only.

Bungo Chiku: Madake From Ōita
TENJIN is made from ‘Bungo Chiku’: Madake bamboo grown in the Bungo region of Japan, today’s Ōita Prefecture. Its skin is very dense and its walls are thick, so it strongly resists bending and pressure.
On impact, the bamboo flexes less, and the hands feel a hard, weighty response. It is the reason TENJIN is our elite Shinai, and the reason many experienced Kendoka trust this Shinai completely.
Powerful, With Quick Hands
The broad Dobari body draws the centre of gravity towards the hands, so the Shinai swings out lightly and the tip is easier to control, while the dense bamboo keeps a powerful, solid feel on impact.
It suits Kendoka who excel at quick combinations, at Oji-Waza that catch the opponent as they start to move, and at exchanges at close distance, while looking for Ippon in every situation.
Key Features
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Bungo Chiku bamboo
Japanese Madake grown in the Bungo region of Japan, today’s Ōita Prefecture. -
Dense and thick-walled
A very dense skin and thick walls that resist bending and pressure, so the Shinai flexes less on impact. -
Hard, weighty feel
A firm, heavy response in the hands, trusted by many experienced Kendoka. -
Dobari Jissengata profile
A broader body, fuller through the lower section, and a thinner tip, both bringing the balance closer to the hands. -
27mm round grip
A round grip of approximately 27mm, measured on the bamboo without the Tsuka. -
Marked as our elite Shinai
Each TENJIN carries the 天神 mark and the 豊後材 label for its Bungo bamboo. -
Choice of fittings
Three fitting options, or the bamboo only. -
Choice of Tsuru colour
Seven Tsuru colours for fitted options. -
Made to federation standards
Made according to the All Japan Kendo Federation and International Kendo Federation standards. -
Men's size 39
Available in men's size 39.
Our Elite Shinai
The top of the KendoStar Shinai range, for Kendoka who want the finest Shinai we offer.
Bungo Chiku Bamboo
Dense, thick-walled Madake from Ōita, for a hard, weighty strike.
Powerful and Quick
A solid strike with the balance close to the hands.
Size and Specification Guide
All our Shinai are made according to the All Japan Kendo Federation and International Kendo Federation standards. The weight below is the minimum and the length the maximum set out in the All Japan Kendo Federation guidelines for this size.
Bamboo contains natural oil that dries out over time. To help your Shinai keep its proper weight, please oil it regularly.
| Size | Suitable For | Guideline Weight | Guideline Max. Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 Men's | Men, university age and adult | 510g+ | 120cm |
Who Is TENJIN Dobari For?
TENJIN Dobari is for experienced Kendoka who want the finest Shinai we offer: Bungo Chiku Madake with a hard, weighty feel, and the balance of a Dobari Shinai.
It suits Kendoka who work at close to middle distance, with quick combinations and Oji-Waza.
Choose Your Fittings
Fitted options are supplied fully assembled, with Tsuka, Sakigawa, Nakayui, and a Tsuru in your chosen colour. The options differ only in the Tsuka: the other parts are the same. Or order the bamboo only and fit your own.
| Option | What You Get | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| — | No fittings | The bamboo only, for Kendoka who prefer to fit their own Tsuka, Sakigawa, Nakayui, and Tsuru | |
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Single Folded Basic Fittings | A standard leather Tsuka, folded once at the end | |
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Single Folded Deluxe ‘Gin’ Leather Fittings | A softer Deluxe ‘Gin’ leather Tsuka, folded once at the end | |
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Double Folded Deluxe ‘Gin’ Leather Fittings | A softer Deluxe ‘Gin’ leather Tsuka, folded twice at the end with two loops for the Tsuru, for extra durability | |
Choose Your Tsuru Colour
If you choose fittings, you can also choose the colour of the Tsuru, the string that runs along the back of the Shinai, opposite the striking side.
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| White | Yellow | Black | Blue |
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| Purple | Green | Red |
Please note: Shinai are made from natural bamboo, so slight variations in colour, grain, weight, and finish are normal. The product received may vary slightly from the product images. Please inspect your Shinai regularly and maintain it correctly before and after practice.













