Four of four: Furinkazan

The first question I wished to answer with my test was: why is Furinkazan by far the most popular shinai in Kyoto Budogu?

Well, for sure it is a beauty. The smoked bamboo has such an attractive colour that makes it a joy to see. 

It is also pretty clear that the quality of the bamboo is very high. 

I have in mind a parallel with red wine: only the best vintages are selected for storing and keeping and aging... only the superior grapes can be refined by time and by a further process. 

The same for bamboo: only the highest quality can become Furinkazan. No frail, stained or inferior bamboo would be economically viable for an additional treatment. This is simple, financial, common sense.

One factor is the look - then maybe the name. I quote from Wikipedia:

Fūrinkazan (風林火山), literally "Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain", was the battle standard used by the Sengoku period daimyo Takeda Shingen, quoting chapter 7 of Sun Tzu's The Art of War: "as swift as wind, as orderly as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakeable as mountain."

Kagemusha has always been my favourite Kurosawa`s film, obviously I can instantly connect with the meaning of Furinkazan. Well, it is only a shinai, but the endless rows of ashigaru carring the 4 banners with the four colours of Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain on their backs is still an image I cannot shake.

Good, all this for the looks and the folklore. Let`s concentrate now on the function. 

Technically, Furinkazan is still a Dobari shinai. But... if I were to define the feeling of handling a Furinkazan, I could not find a better expression than "ZERO GRAVITY SHINAI".

Furinkanzan simply disappear in your hands. After testing the other shinai, I was always conscious of their main feature: the weight in the hands, the fast tip, the size or the shape of the grip. 

With Furinkazan none of the above applies. It is the NEUTRAL shinai. It does not offer any distraction, it is perfectly balanced, you simply forget about it. You only have to worry about your aite and about doing your "thing". It does not take your attention, it follows your movements without stressing your arms. It is like a docile, well trained dressage mare that makes every figure look natural and effortless.

The beautiful Furinkazan has definitely the gift of obedience. Very recommended for all.