1st Timer
 

hello all,

wednesday just passed i had an amazing lesson, 1st time for me to join in with the rest of the class doing training drills (sorry don't know what it was called) however it was fantastic, it really opened up my eyes as to how hard all this cutting business is, so much fun!!!

mind you, how many of you all use a size 38 shinai as to 39 - reason for asking is that mine is size 39 and i feel that it my be to long, im only 5ft 7inches and find that my right hand cannot stay firmly behind the tsuba if my left arm is extended to a straight position, its almost as if the handle is to long.

any clues

You are plenty tall to use a 39 shinai. But if you feel that your hand position isn't right, then you can use a size 38 tsukagawa on your 39 shinai.

You can always try a 38 tsukagawa on a 39 shinai. I would'nt change to a 38 shinai though, you're just giving up reach then.

Only 5'7"... What do you think the average height of a Japanes male is? I've seen 5'5" 1/8, so you're well tall enough to handle a standard shinai. The real thing that matters is not your height anyway, but your arms and body geometry.

A rule of thumb is to put the shinai in the crook of your arm, note the spot where your fingers end on the tsuka - that's where your tsuba should be. If your fingers are coming up short with a 39 tsukagawa, then go shorter.

Cherish the memory. You'll always remember the first time you did it.
http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/silly.gif

Hi Matt....

I think that you should be using the 39... Get Czech-Fan, MPD or Musashi to check it out for sure...

Also, try it with Kote and see how you feel... Before long this will be more of the norm for you ...

Have a great Easter and see you on Wednesday...

Cheers

congrats on ur lesson..and i hope you stay on the road to success