Tozando Dogi

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[AikidoGuy]

Has anyone purchased a dogi from Tozando? If so, what can you tell me about the quality of their products?

Thanks!

[Nafis Zahir]

Of all the dogi's that I have owned, I must say that the one from Tozando was by far the best. I have a double weave gi, but it's not stiff. It is very soft, yet very durable. I find all of the products to be of the best quality. Yes, they are costly, and you do have to pay those shipping fees, but it is well worth the money spent. Also, try not to use bleach when you wash your gi. It wears down the material. Use Oxy Clean or a similiar product. It will extend the wear of your gi.

[Edward]

I own 2 tozando gis, one light weight single weave, and another heavier double weave. I also own 4 other gis from different suppliers. Tozando's are definitely the best.

[Mathias]

I own two Tozando Gi, Their Kendo gi.

http://www.tozando.com/eng/kendo/kg200b.html

Vey good for Aikido, Thin, very soft and short sleeves.

/Mathias

[AikidoGuy]

Thanks for the advise on the Dogi.

Here's another question. I realize there are a few threads out there regarding Hakama, but can anyone compare an 8oz Bujin Hak and a 100% cotton Bujin Hak? Is there a big difference in the weight, etc?

[DanD]

I own 2 tozando gis, one light weight single weave, and another heavier double weave. ...... Tozando's are definitely the best.

Edward,

There are several Gis here: http://tozando.com/eng/aikido/gi.html

Mmmmm....very tempting!

Any particular one that you have experienced and reccomend from the lighter ones/single weave?
How about the "Begginer's" ?

Cheers!

[pyarrow]

Tozando is having a sale through August-great prices, even with shipping, on their gi, hakama, jo and bokken.
I visited them personally in January. If you want to see what the place looks like (it is small, but three floors)...

http://photos.yahoo.com/thesakegal

look in folder "10.1 Tozando Kyoto"

I handled their gi and they are indeed wonderful. I positively lust for their handstiched gi set. Will have to wait until I finish grad school I suppose.

Our dojo buys all our jo and bokken from Tozando as they are the same superior solid white oak that Saito Sensei and Iwama always used. I still my originals from circa 1979...
/Patricia Yarrow in Boulder

[Aiki-Study]

I don't want to double post but some original questions weren't answered as originally asked by aikidoguy. Since I am looking to possibly purchase a Tozando in the next few days the answers would apply to me also.

1. Anyone know how the begginer's Gi is? I actually have a nice Gi from HCK but am looking for a lighter weight second "traveling" Gi. Yet I still want a certain quality to it (without breaking the bank).

2. What kind of shipping service did you use? UPS Global or EMS?

3. How long did it take to get/ship the order (and to what state are we reffering to)?

4. Last question: How much was the tariffs and shipping total costs???
I would greatly appreciate your time in answering these questions based on your experiences. They are important because I have a summer camp in three weeks and want to know if its feasible to make my purchase from Tozando. Thank You.

Oh, this is also my first post, WhooHoo!
:hypno: <This is a cool smiley

[sharonbader]

I'm considering ordering the tozando Seersucker gi.

I am 173cm tall which is RIGHT between the size 4 and 5 gi.

To those who have bought this gi, do they fit larget or small?

I'm usually a size 4 on other gi's I have bought, but according to the Tozando size chart I should be size 5 - barely...

[senshincenter]

I don't want to double post but some original questions weren't answered as originally asked by aikidoguy. Since I am looking to possibly purchase a Tozando in the next few days the answers would apply to me also.

1. Anyone know how the begginer's Gi is? I actually have a nice Gi from HCK but am looking for a lighter weight second "traveling" Gi. Yet I still want a certain quality to it (without breaking the bank).

2. What kind of shipping service did you use? UPS Global or EMS?

3. How long did it take to get/ship the order (and to what state are we reffering to)?

4. Last question: How much was the tariffs and shipping total costs???
I would greatly appreciate your time in answering these questions based on your experiences. They are important because I have a summer camp in three weeks and want to know if its feasible to make my purchase from Tozando. Thank You.

Oh, this is also my first post, WhooHoo!
:hypno: <This is a cool smiley

I first started working for Tozando when I lived in Kyoto in the 90's. Now back in the states, I'm still an agent and still help out with English translations whenever they ask. However, I'm a martial artist first, so I go with what works - period. Though I today order from several places, I've loved Tozando's products ever since I first came across them and have always considered them to be the best you could buy. As for their gi, their hand-stitched gi are simply beyond belief - totally amazing. You have to try one on just to even begin to know how strong and comfortable a gi can be at the very exact time. The lightest hand-stitched gi is so comfortable and easily as strong, if not stronger, than most heavy weight gi.

As for your questions:

1. This gi is comparable to other standard single weave gi. Only the jacket tends to be a bit softer (without losing strength) and the pants are both softer, slightly thicker, and much more comfortable around the draw string.

2. The shipping service you use is dependent upon what items you order - i.e. certain items are required by law to be shipped one way and not another (e.g. swords). Tozando will either let you know how an item can be shipped when you order it or you can contact them to find out what choices you have open to you.

3. All orders are slowed down slightly in August since this is like a national vacation month in Japan. So you got to account for that. Items that are hot items (like swords following Tom Cruise's "The Last Samurai") may take longer to received due to stocking issues - if that is the case, you might get what you want in 2 to 4 weeks time, depending how you ship it (realizing that shipping by sea to the states takes forever). Items that are custom made and/or that are made by houses represented by a culturally recognized master - expect a minimum of a month to several months to get your order. These are things like certain gi, certain hakama, certain swords, etc. The craftsmen are very dependent upon things like the weather, etc., and if something comes up, your order will be delayed, even greatly. Tozando can always be contacted, giving you an estimated time of shipping and also keeping you up to date on your order's status.

4. Shipping and tariffs are dependent upon what you order and how you send it. You can get this information from Tozando when you order the gi and/or you can contact them directly (remembering that August makes things a bit slow).

If you are looking to get only the beginner gi in three weeks, you are going to have to send that by air and you are going to have to have that item be in stock. If that is the case, you might be looking at shipping costing half the price of the gi or even more.

All I can say, is that Tozando's products are always worth the price and worth the wait.

dmv

[sharonbader]

I first started working for Tozando when I lived in Kyoto in the 90's. Now back in the states, I'm still an agent and still help out with English translations whenever they ask. However, I'm a martial artist first, so I go with what works - period.

What about sizing?

If I'm a size 4 in most other gi's will I be a size 4 with Tozando? Despite being at the border between 4 and 5 according to their sizing?

Thanks!
Sharon.

[senshincenter]

You should go with their sizing chart. I would always order the larger size if you are in between sizes. Gi continually shrink no matter if you wash them in cold and dry them in medium heat. So go with the larger size if you are in between sizes on their sizing chart.

hope that helps,
d

[CaseyD]

I have the seersucker gi in a size 5. I am 5 9, 195 fairly muscular. It is still a tad big on me after 4 or 5 wash/dryings. I would say if you are smaller than me you might want to go with the size 4. Tozandos gis are a little longer than others that Ive bought, so I wouldnt worry about them being too short

[Nikopol]

Guess this is an old thread, would like to ask Casey Darwin how high up he wears his dogi bottoms, because I'm 5'8 and have a 97 outseam which indicates a size 3. I usually wear 4 but had a bad experience with Mitsuboshi dogi bottoms, their size 4 were WAY too long and had twice as much material in the waist, making it uncomfortably bunched up even after two years ot washing twice a week. I decided to try a 3 this time, but I am thinking that was just a fluke with Mitsuboshi and maybe a 4 is right after all....