[Nutpoode]

Like some of the above comments I have to wonder if wearing kendo gear is either a bit too demeaning or a bit too lazy. But, on the assumption you're going to do it anyway...

Sometimes Japanese period films are not above using parts of modern day bogu as samurai armor. It looks similar enough and only those who care about the differences (i.e. kendoka and yoroi otaku) would notice it's incorrect. So why not skip the men, kote and tare, wear everything else and throw on some tabi and a haori (traditional over garment) and go as a samurai? This way if your bogu does stink the worst offenders are left at home (assuming you washed your gi and hakama) and you're not going as kendoka but as samurai. You'll have to check on whether it's ok to go around with a "weapon" so maybe find a plastic katana as a safe stand in (and don't wave it at anyone lest you get shot).

Here's an example of shinsengumi depicted wearing dou

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/image...78245862_1.jpg