Yagyu Shinai 4167

Yagyu shinai of split bamboo with suede wrap. Rare example made by the original Bujin Design of Boulder Colorado in the early 1990s, perhaps crafted by Hiroshi Ikeda himself.  The Yagyu shinai was particularly useful in full contact or unrestrained practice where the resilient split bamboo core, wrapped in leather, was safer than the solid piece wooden sword.  Carving in kashira was most likely added by James Goedkoop of Kingfisher. It appears to be the kanji for calm, or peaceful. Stand not included