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By Astrid Bidanec 
 While all martial arts require a basic uniform for the safety and comfort of all students, Kendo practitioners need to reach much deeper into their pockets. The basic Kendo equipment consists of not only a uniform, but also different kinds of swords and the armor, due to the adaption from the Japanese samurai history.
It may seem like there are a lot of unnecessary accessories. However, every piece has a specific purpose, with the main focus being the fighter’s protection of course. Beginners usually only need to purchase the bokken or bokuto, a solid wood sword made of oak or another suitable hardwood. These usually cost between $15-$28 in the U.S.   After passing the 5th Kyu exam the student has to purchase a kendogi (kendo jacket) and a hakama (pleated split-skirt), which usually cost between $25 and $340 for the set.
 Moving up comes at a price, since passing the 4th Kyu exam requires the student to add bogu (armor) to his uniform. This is where it starts getting expensive. At this point one should have fallen in love with Kendo, or else it will be a waste of money. The price for the armor ranges from $262 to $2,400 and depends on color (black or white), size of stitching (1 mm-5 mm), and most importantly machine- or hand-stitching.
Some Kendo clubs have armors available for rent. Ask your trainer about this option. Of course, there are plenty of accessories to buy which are completely optional and won’t be considered into our calculation. If you choose to go with the least expensive option at each stage your complete total would be $302. For the crème de la crème edition of each piece of equipment on the other hand, you have to dish out a hefty $2,765. Keep in mind that this calculation is only considering the bare minimum of equipment to buy. There will always be more swords and accessories to add as you move up through the different ranks. The shoes, for example, are another $201.  
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