“純国産の剣道具”に世界から注文　14人の職人魂　岩手・久慈市 (26/06/26 11:30)

While 90% of kendo protective gear is said to be made overseas, this photographer's report introduces a factory in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, that makes all its kendo protective gear using domestically sourced materials and custom-made products. At Nanase, a kendo equipment manufacturer located in Osanai-cho, Kuji City, 14 female artisans breathe "soul" into each piece of protective gear. Orders pour in from all over the world, and in just 12 years since its founding, it has over 10,000 users. Hoshiko Yamamura, Director and General Manager of Nanase "90% of the orders we receive are custom-made, so we can create the molds from scratch. We make the right kendo equipment that guides the kendo practitioner to the correct stance and grip." All materials are domestically sourced, resulting in "purely domestic kendo equipment" crafted with top-notch techniques. Misaki Wano, a student at Kuji Shohoku High School and a user of their equipment, says, "It fits me perfectly and is very easy to use. I was incredibly happy and deeply moved, thinking, 'This is my protective gear!'" Hoshiko Yamamura, Director and General Manager of Administration at Nanase: "We are the ones working behind the scenes. Our mission is to support the athletes, children, and teachers so that they can dedicate themselves to kendo without any worries. We want to continue making good kendo equipment and pass on this craftsmanship to future generations in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture." (Photographer: Yuzuki Maekawa)