Sizes and style of shinai vary. For example, an adult may be able to use a shinai that is too heavy for a younger person, so shinai with different sizes and characteristics are made. Shinai are available in many styles and balances. A shinai should not be confused with a bokutō, which has a much more similar shape and length to a Japanese sword and is made from a single piece of wood. However, both shinai and bokken are used in kendo.
The slats of a shinai are usually made from dried bamboo. Some may also be treated by smoking them, or soaking them in resin. Shinai slats are also made of carbon fibre, reinforced resin, or other approved alternative materials.
The shinai comprises four slats たけ (竹, take), which are held together by three leather fittings: a hilt, or handle fitting つかがわ (柄皮, tsuka-gawa), a fitting at the tip さきがわ (先皮, saki-gawa) and a leather strip なかゆい (中結, nakayui) that binds the four slats. All are secured with a string つる (弦, tsuru).
The nakayui is tied about one-third of the length of the exposed bamboo from the tip . This holds the slats together and also marks the proper kendo striking portion of the shinai, or datotsu-bu (打突部 だとつぶ).
Inserted between the ends of the slats, under the saki-gawa, is a plastic plug さきごむ (先ゴム, saki-gomu), and under the tsuka-gawa there is a small square of metal (ちぎり, chigiri), that holds the slats in place.
A hand-guard つば (鍔, tsuba) is then fitted at the point where the tsuka-gawa ends and the bamboo slats begin. This is held in place by a rubber ring つばどめ (鍔止め, tsuba-dome).
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