5 Shaku Bo
Red Oak:
This 5 Shaku Bo is a Shaku shorter than standard 6 Shaku Bo for easy and quick handling. This model is favored by some Koryu Jiujutsu/Bojutsu schools as it's length gives ideal combination of long range and maneuverability.
It's also great for kids karate Bojutsu practice. Made with Japanese Red Oak.
Features
Made of high quality Japanese Red Oak
All handmade by Japanese expert craftsmen
Made in Japan
Total length: 151.5cm (approx. 50")
Diameter: 1 Sun (33.3mm)
Weight: Approx. 850 grams
What is Japanese Red Oak?
The Red Oak Wood used for Japanese Bokken, also called 'Akagashi', greatly differs from the Red Oak Wood referred to when speaking about North American Bokken.
While the North American Oak and Japanese Oak are related, the Japanese Oak tree is evergreen, due to this it does not have a conspicuous open grain like the American White and Red Oak.
The open grain structure, of the American Oak wood produces soft areas which are more prone to impact damage.
Akagashi on the other hand has a structure that is uniformly hard, has excellent dent resistance and has better impact strength than American Oaks.
Nowadays Akagashi is a quite rare and expensive even in Japan, and is mostly used for making high quality Bokken or Jo.
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White Oak:
This 5 Shaku Bo is a Shaku shorter than standard 6 Shaku Bo for easy and quick handling. This model is favored by some Koryu Jiujutsu/Bojutsu schools as it's length gives ideal combination of long range and maneuverability.
It's also great for kids karate Bojutsu practice. Made with Japanese White Oak.
Features
Made of high quality Japanese White Oak
All handmade by Japanese expert craftsmen
Made in Japan
Dimensions
Total length: 151.5cm (approx. 60")
Diameter: 1 Sun (33.3mm)
Weight: Approx. 950 grams
What is Japanese White Oak?
The White Oak Wood used for Japanese Bokken, also called 'Shirogashi', greatly differs from the White Oak Wood referred to when speaking about North American Bokken.
While the North American Oak and Japanese Oak are related, the Japanese White Oak tree is evergreen, due to this it does not have a conspicuous open grain like the American White and Red Oak.
The open grain structure, of the American Oak wood produces soft areas which are more prone to impact damage.
Shirogashi on the other hand has a structure that is uniformly hard, has excellent dent resistance and has better impact strength than American Oaks.
Compared to Akagashi the Shirogashi has denser grains which also makes it slightly heavier and more preferable as material for Bokken.
Because of the durability and weight of Shirogashi, it's widely regarded as great material for making high quality Bokken and Jo.
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Red Oak Bo is oil treated. White Oak, however, is completely untreated. For a 'how to' guide on waxing wooden weapons, please check out our walk-through video, "How to wax bokken."