Budo, Kobudo & Japanese Artisanry - The Seido Blog

2019年秋、木刀や杖などの国産木製武器製造の今後について、ブログ記事を掲載しました。当時、国産木製武器の約４割程の生産量を占めていた工房・堀之内登製作所が閉鎖し、それ以降、宮崎県都城の国産木製武器の生産力は急落しました。残された３つの木刀工房では、それまで堀之内工房で製作されていた木製武器の製造も担うようになりました。現在の木刀製造現場の状況はどのように変化していったのでしょうか？

Nowadays, the term "made in japan" has lost its meaning. How can you be sure what you are buying? Analysis of the situation.

In September 2019, the Horinouchi workshop who held about 40% of the production of all made in Japan wooden weapons, closed its doors forever. This article comes back to the reasons of that event, the state of the industry and how the prices of the products will evolve in 2020.

Dictionaries define sponsorship as: Money that is given, usually by a company, to support a person, organisation or activity — The act of sponsoring someone or something or of being sponsored. Let's be clear, sponsors’ primary goal is to make money: brands hope to gain visibility in return for their sponsorship and thus generate more revenues over the short or long term. So why is Aikido so desperately lacking for sponsors? As we are about to establish a partnership with the 5th Aiki Taikai and the 8th Traditional Martial Arts Night (NAMT - France), let’s use this opportunity to dwell on the subject.

星道では、創業以来、純日本製武道用品を作り上げている各工房の職人とのコミュニケーションを大切に、各工房が直面している様々な問題にともに向き合い、また、一方で日本の職人技術の素晴らしさや純日本製商品の質の高さを世界に発信する活動を精力的に取り組んでまいりました。 この度、宮崎県都城市に現存する4つの木刀工房のひとつである堀之内登製作所が、2019年9月末日をもって製造を終了することとなりました。

The past few months, we've spent a great deal of time publishing our interviews made at the last wooden workshops of Japan this summer. Aramaki and Matsuzaki's interviews are already live and Nidome's interview is almost ready too. Following our encounter, and consistently with the subject we've discussed in those interviews, Master Aramaki sent a letter to all his partners presenting the situation at his workshop. Here is a free translation of this letter.

No, it’s not directly related to Budo, but nonetheless, it’s an interesting story that some of our followers may appreciate. Seido was one of the main contributors to the translation and release in Japan of the world number one e-commerce store provider. Why did we invest time in this? How did this happen? Trust us, we had good reasons!

Our story began in the summer of 2005, when the founder of BudoExport and Seido, Jordy, arrived in Japan. 19 years of age at the time and without university degree, he devoted one year to intensive Aikido practice before enrolling in a three year study course focusing on Japanese and Japanese culture in France and Japan. During those years, he continued to spend much of his time in different Dojos, also getting into Kendo and Judo.

As Budoka, most of us feel having moral values superior to those only practicing “sports”, we like to believe that we are better. Are you—as Budoka—more concerned by human conditions and human rights? Are you concerned with the origin of the products you buy and wear? Take your Dogi, your belt and have a look at the label. Pakistan? Bangladesh? China? Japan? Let us examine under what conditions your equipment is manufactured.