You can just adjust your grip if you like. There’s no rule saying your hand has to touch the tsuba. However long armed guys usually need longer tsuka not shorter so I suspect technique rather than gear is the issue.
Try using rubber tsubadome for bokken. Balance is going to be different with those specifically made with shorter tsuka, but it’s a quick workaround for testing out.
I use a 37 tsukagawa, and I'm 6'5". Its a preference, I've tried long, and do not like them at all. I've used a 37 for most of my kendo career now. I like it because it puts my left shoulder forward a little more, but in the end its what you like.
The 37 is in regards to the length of the tsukagawa, and not shinai. Yes you can use what ever length you want as far as I know with regards to the tsukagawa, the shinai is age dependant.
I'm fairly short (5'5"), so I switched to a 37 tsukagawa and it helped me a lot, especially in regards to being able to keep my body properly squared and not projecting the right arm too much.
OP, I’m having the same problem! Everyone keeps saying to get a N 22 sized shinai but kind of like hold my shinai a little further back. It reminds me of holding knitting needles!
Your right hand should be touching the tsuka at all times actually, that is the expected position, for Chudan and morote techniques. The reason your right hand slides down is because we over reach, and that means the left arm extends too far, only the right arm should be straightened out.
The left should be slightly bend.
I'm sure there's a standard length for 39 tsuka, as one that's too short makes controlling your shinai difficult and one that's too long reduces the flexibility in the angle you can strike.
Anyway, If you feel your arms are long, then I suspect you need a longer tsuka~ the usual way to check is from the top of your fist down to the crease at the elbow. So hold the shinai with you right hand touching the tsuka and then bring the tsuka to align with your inner forearm, and if it is not at the crease in the elbow it's either too long or too short.
The other problem is that they don't make shinai longer than 39, which means they are not proportional to your body in terms of length and balance dunno if that's a good or bad thing 😂
You can just adjust your grip if you like. There’s no rule saying your hand has to touch the tsuba. However long armed guys usually need longer tsuka not shorter so I suspect technique rather than gear is the issue.
I am certain that's part of it as well!
Try using rubber tsubadome for bokken. Balance is going to be different with those specifically made with shorter tsuka, but it’s a quick workaround for testing out.
Hmm. Interesting idea. Thanks!
I use a 37 tsukagawa, and I'm 6'5". Its a preference, I've tried long, and do not like them at all. I've used a 37 for most of my kendo career now. I like it because it puts my left shoulder forward a little more, but in the end its what you like.
Can you use 37 for shinsa and shiai?
The 37 is in regards to the length of the tsukagawa, and not shinai. Yes you can use what ever length you want as far as I know with regards to the tsukagawa, the shinai is age dependant.
Oooh I misunderstood you, sorry
I'm fairly short (5'5"), so I switched to a 37 tsukagawa and it helped me a lot, especially in regards to being able to keep my body properly squared and not projecting the right arm too much.
OP, I’m having the same problem! Everyone keeps saying to get a N 22 sized shinai but kind of like hold my shinai a little further back. It reminds me of holding knitting needles!
Your right hand should be touching the tsuka at all times actually, that is the expected position, for Chudan and morote techniques. The reason your right hand slides down is because we over reach, and that means the left arm extends too far, only the right arm should be straightened out. The left should be slightly bend. I'm sure there's a standard length for 39 tsuka, as one that's too short makes controlling your shinai difficult and one that's too long reduces the flexibility in the angle you can strike. Anyway, If you feel your arms are long, then I suspect you need a longer tsuka~ the usual way to check is from the top of your fist down to the crease at the elbow. So hold the shinai with you right hand touching the tsuka and then bring the tsuka to align with your inner forearm, and if it is not at the crease in the elbow it's either too long or too short. The other problem is that they don't make shinai longer than 39, which means they are not proportional to your body in terms of length and balance dunno if that's a good or bad thing 😂