KendoStar International ReviewsSee store reviews

I was seeking a new uniform, specifically one of superior quality yet within a reasonable price range. This uniform has fully met my expectations. I have utilized it for multiple keiko sessions and am thoroughly satisfied with both its aesthetic and tactile qualities. Beyond the product's quality, the customer service experience was notably exceptional. I contacted them with specific inquiries and requests for recommendations. I was provided with several options, complete with detailed explanat...

The gi is very comfortable and the quality seems to be very good. It's really light compared to my cotton gi and the hakama is really easy and quick to fold thanks to the pleat-lock stiching. I have washed in once in the washing machine (I have worn it only twice) and it took only a second to be dry and the pleats remained perfect. A unique point is strange to me : the colour. It's supposed to be deep navy but it's so dark that it seems almost black, but it's not really a problem. It has a nice ...

My bogu experiences have always been with rental gear, after just one practice with my new Kendostar bogu I felt I had more mobility, and protection along with feeling lighter than my old rental set. The Nishi Ji Gold is a brilliant color, photos didn’t do it justice, it has a beautiful gradient when the light hits it. I didn’t feel any pain when I received men and kote strikes. The removable kote pad was amazing as I felt ZERO pain, that was a first for me. With this set I feel I can remove all...

Excellent quality starter set, all our club members are very satisfied with their purchase. The uniform set is hard-wearing and easy to care for, making it a great choice for those new to kendo. The bokken and shinai are also made of top-notch materials and feel great to use. The carry bag brings the whole set together! Overall, would easily recommend to anyone beginning kendo. The customer service from KendoStar was also excellent, made our club order amazingly smooth and a delightful experienc...

After two Keiko and a tournament I can confidently tell that this Bogu set is the real deal! The DIAMOND X looks awesome, insanely well made, flexible and quite protective. This is my second Bogu in my Kendo life and this set is with all the bells and whistles still very lightweight. At least lighter than my old Bogu and it’s a noticeable difference. You can shape the Men easily but you will need a tiny break in time until it fits perfectly. The Kote however where very flexible from the beginnin...

Amazing experience. New beginner to Kendo. From my first search online to asking questions to Ezgi about sizing, to choosing the sizes via the really handy sizeing guides to then purchasing and getting DHL tracking. Parcels Left manchester on a friday, and delivered to Auckland New Zealand by wednesday. Customs took 2 more days to check the weapons, naturally. My bogu set, kendogi and weapons and bags are really, really great. Ive used bokken for years but this one is really special. I also lov...

Chichigawa: Feels very high quality and easy to thread into the mengane. Smaller length but otherwise looks very classic. Time will tell how long this will last but so far I’m happy the length, the quality of this as well as the shape it gives my men. Himo: Packaged well, feels very high quality, the dye is more set to Indigo than Purple/Violet (latter being cheap Himo). Used in tandem with the chichigawa, it was the correct length and no trimming needed. Thoroughly happy with this purchase ...

This Kendo Dō looks absolutely outstanding and feels just as impressive in person. The craftsmanship and finish are excellent, and it has a very refined and authentic appearance. The fit is very good, offering excellent wearing comfort and allowing for natural movement without restriction. It feels well balanced and secure during use. I would also like to highlight the outstanding service. The shipping was fast, reliable, and professionally handled. Everything arrived in perfect condition. Ov...

This is my new bogu after 12 years, and I am extremely satisfied with it. The craftsmanship is superb, and the entire set feels very light and comfortable even from the first use. The tare is very easy to tie securely around the hips, which makes gearing up quick and convenient. The kote required a short break-in period, it took about three practices to feel fully comfortable, but they provide excellent protection. The kote palms are especially comfortable and offer a good balance of grip and fl...

The Bogu bag is exactly what I was looking for and exceeded my expectations. Takes all the equipment required which is full Bogu, kendoji, hakama. Additional pockets for spare items e.g himo, water bottle and a nice addition of a pocket for phone, pens, paper and books etc. Cannot praise more highly and although more expensive than some bags is of very high quality and does the lot. Brilliant! Also, you can carry with a top handle or wear it like a haversack so if walking or riding a bike to doj...

I've seen countless people struggle with shoulder strap style bags and bags of dubious quality over the years doing kendo. I knew I didn't want to follow that track of unnecessary burden when going to or from practice. And this bag didn't disappoint. It is pricey, but I felt no regrets at all after using it. It is spacious for a regular size adult bogu. It packs easily and the seperate section for kendogi is something I love. You get little pockets for all kinds of accessories you need, ...

I have tried a lot of the KendoStar line of shinais: HACHIMAN, NICHIRIN TOU, TOUKON, KIYOMASA and the RYUKATSU. All of them are exceptional and I think the shinai that will suite you best depends on your style and the stage at which you are in your kendo journey. That said, I have felt a greater affinity towards koto-style shinais, and have nothing but praise towards the NICHIRIN TOU. However, as I am refining my kamae (my posture, grip, weight distribution, etc.), and a few sessions of keiko w...

I recently purchased my Kendo equipment, including the Victory Bogu Gen 3 from KendoStar, and I'm extremely satisfied with the quality and performance. During my first training session, the Bogu exceeded my expectations, providing excellent protection even from enthusiastic and sometimes overzealous techniques from fellow beginners. The protection was impressive, and I felt safe and confident throughout the session. I'm extremely satisfied with the quality and performance. During my first trai...

I recently purchased the Vanguard Essential as my first bogu, and it’s been the perfect choice for me as a starting kendoka. It offers the same level of protective padding, durability, and overall quality that I’ve seen in much more expensive models. Despite its lower price, it looks and feels like a top-tier bogu, and at no point did I get the impression that corners were cut on materials or construction. I’m confident this set will serve me well through my first years in kendo, and I highly re...

Surely, the specs of these shinai are not for everyone, but if you are looking for short-grip dobari/jissengata style shinai, you probably want to give this one a try. I personally really love the (perceived) weight distribution/balance. The 'do' is positioned slightly more towards the tsuba than is the case for (some) other short-grip dobari/jissengata style shinai that I have come across (the difference is not not much though, but it really does the trick). This makes the tsuka feel heavier th...