From Kyoto to the World: Supporting Budo Since 1989
The equipment you choose becomes part of your daily practice. It should fit well and be something you can rely on every time you step into the dojo.
Founded in Kyoto in 1989, Tozando has worked to bring quality Japanese martial arts equipment to practitioners around the world.
Wherever you practice, you should be able to obtain good equipment at a fair price. That belief remains at the heart of our work.
Our Beginnings: A Shared Dedication to Budo
Before founding Tozando, Takahiko Kimura served as an interpreter for the Italian national kendo team during their visit to Japan.
He met kendoka who approached their training with seriousness and passion, and he developed a deep respect for their dedication.
Through conversations with the team, he learned that even these committed practitioners struggled to find quality martial arts equipment overseas. Their choices were limited, and good equipment came at a high price.
Their passion for budo was no different from that of practitioners in Japan. Their access to equipment, however, was very different.
Wanting to close that gap, Kimura founded Tozando in Kyoto in 1989.
His aim was to give practitioners overseas the same opportunity to choose quality equipment as those in Japan. Since then, we have continued to supply martial arts equipment worldwide, drawing on the skills of craftspeople and feedback from the dojo.
Whether you are choosing your first uniform or replacing a trusted piece of equipment, we are here to help you find what suits your practice.
Craftsmanship You Can Feel in Use
The quality of martial arts equipment comes down to details: the materials, stitching, construction, and finishing.
At Tozando, we value the knowledge and skills that craftspeople have developed over many years. The needs of the practitioner guide both the equipment we make and the products we select for our range.
We respect established techniques while continuing to make improvements for today’s training. We want you to appreciate your equipment when it arrives and continue to value it through regular use.
Practical Improvements for Everyday Training
Weight, freedom of movement, protective construction, and ease of care all affect your experience during practice.
Our work on materials and manufacturing methods has led to developments including lightweight, durable uniforms, antibacterial and odor-resistant treatments, and bogu construction designed to improve protection against impact.
Feedback from the people who use our equipment helps guide these improvements. We listen to the difficulties and needs that arise during training and use that insight to make our products more practical.
Advice from People Who Practice
Buying equipment from overseas can raise questions, especially when you cannot try it on or examine it in person.
Which size should you choose? How do the materials differ? Which specifications suit your training?
Our team includes practitioners of several martial arts. We understand why these details matter and can explain the options to help you choose. You can also contact us with questions about caring for your equipment after it arrives.
Whether you are just starting out or have been practicing for decades, we welcome your questions.
A Wide Choice of Martial Arts Equipment in One Place
We supply equipment for kendo, iaido, aikido, judo, and other Japanese martial arts.
Our range includes uniforms, hakama, bogu, iaito, bokken, bags, and accessories. You can find equipment for getting started, replacements for everyday training, and specialist items as your needs develop.
With a broad selection and a team available to explain the differences, you can compare options according to your practice and budget.
Make It Yours. Keep It in Practice.
A name embroidered on a uniform. A meaningful inscription on a bokken. Small details can make a piece of equipment feel distinctly yours.
We offer embroidery and engraving on selected products. We can also advise on care and help you find out whether repairs are possible for your equipment.
Through years of practice, familiar equipment often gains a value that goes beyond its original purchase. We want to help you look after the pieces you wish to keep using.
Quality at a Fair Price
We believe the price of equipment should reflect its quality.
By improving how we manufacture, sell, and handle our products, we work to offer value in both quality and price.
We provide choices for different budgets and levels of experience, with clear explanations of what makes each option different. Our aim is to help you understand what you are buying and feel confident in your choice.
From Japan to Your Dojo
Our responsibility continues until your equipment reaches you.
At our own logistics center, we check products before dispatch and pack them carefully for shipment to customers around the world.
From our base in Kyoto, we bring a carefully selected range of martial arts equipment to dojos worldwide, helping practitioners overseas access the equipment they need.
Connecting the World Through Budo
Our mission is to deliver authentic, quality martial arts equipment, help budo flourish, and connect people around the world through its practice.
We support the martial arts community through activities such as competition sponsorship, training opportunities, and equipment donations.
People may speak different languages and come from different cultures, yet find common ground through training together and showing respect for one another. We believe those connections can reach far beyond the dojo.
The purpose that brought Tozando to life in Kyoto in 1989 continues to guide us as we serve today’s practitioners and those who have yet to discover budo.
We look forward to helping you find the equipment that supports your practice.
One World. One Spirit. All Budo.
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