Hiroshi Hayasaka "a kendo craftsman"

I’m Hayasaka, an apprentice kendo armor craftsman at Ippondō, a traditional budō equipment shop based in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan.

I am still far from calling myself a true craftsman.
Every day, I train under experienced artisans, learning the fundamentals of kendo armor making—men, tare, and kote—one step at a time.The path of apprenticeship is long, demanding, and deeply rooted in tradition.

This YouTube channel is a record of my journey:
learning Japanese craftsmanship from the inside, making mistakes, improving, and slowly building the skills required to protect a kendoka.

As a kendo equipment shop positioned between the makers and the practitioners, we have a unique role.
By preserving the history and philosophy passed down by generations of craftsmen, while pursuing greater beauty, flexibility, and functionality, I hope to contribute to the future of kendo armor.

If you are interested in the world of Japanese kendo craftsmanship, please consider subscribing.