Tokaido Japan and Tokaido International

There have been many questions about the various products and quality of the Tokaido range. For some time now, some of the Tokaido products have been made in China and not in Japan.  A few weeks ago it was confirmed that Tokaido has formed an alliance with a China based martial arts goods manufacturer and the alliance will go under the name of Tokaido International.  So what does this mean to Aregato and the traditional martial artists who want to buy the genuine Tokaido products?

The first thing to say is that when you buy your Tokaido uniform or belt from Aregato, you are buying the traditional Tokaido product made in Japan.  What the Tokaido allaince means is that Tokaido International (China) will make and provide uniforms, blets, and other Tokaido products under licence from Tokaido Japan.  In effect they have agreed to specifications set by Tokaido Japan and then are able to attach the Tokaido label/logo to all items included in their agreement. 

So, are these "fake" products?  The answer is NO.  They are "genuine" as the the manufacturer is legally entitled to use the Tokaido label on any agreed and manufactured product. 

Therefore TOKAIDO JAPAN is the only source for Tokaido products made in JAPAN

Aregato only deals with Tokaido Japan.  We order directly to Japan and receive all our products from Japan, usually flown from Nagoya Aiport in Japan.  We use a Japanese freight company who picks up the goods direlty from the Tokaido factory.  Also, we only provide a small handful of authentic Japanese made Tokaido products as you can see from our website.  So when you buy your Tokaido product from us you buy the authentic Japanese item.

Below is a lis of items that are made by Tokaido Japan and by Tokaido International (China).

Made by Tokaido Japan (made in Japan)

TSA Heavyweight (plus WKF approved) - imported by Aregato

SAW Heavyweight (plus WKF approved) - imported by Aregato

TAW Medium Weight

KTW Medium Weight

AW Medium Weight

BW Light Weight 

NST Ultra Light

SAB HeavyWeight (Black Gi) - imported by Aregato

BLC Cotton Black Belt - imported by Aregato

BLS Satin Black Belt - imported by Aregato

BLH Silk Black Belt - imported by Aregato

Made by Tokaido International (made in China)

Kumite Master WKF Approved

Kata Master WKF Approved (12oz & 14oz)

Tsunami Blue

Tsunami Silver

Tsunami Gold

Arashi (12oz & 14oz)

Kumo

Kaminari

Tokaido Silver

Tokaido Gold

Tokaido Elite Belts

Tokaido Black Belt

Hope this helps and now you may be better informed about which Tokaido is made in Japan and which is not!

Karate Suit or Jedi Robes

What is happeing to the karate suits?  They seem to get long and longer every year.  Watching a competition recently as well some videos on YouTube the jackets of the competitors are longer than ever.  They are now down by the knees resembling  jedi knight robes!

The sleeves are flapping around, the gi bottoms are just as baggy, flopping about like flags in the breeze.  This is a long way from the close fitting gi's seen on some old grainy films of masters performing katas.

What is it about the baggy look?  Am i missing something?

Hello

Just a quick hello to get the ball rolling or perhaps "the session started".  This blog is about and around Traditional Karate. Or at least what i think is traditional karate as i am sure you will have your own view.

So what do i mean traditional karate?  If you look at Karate as a whole it doesn't really have a long history.  In fact, modern day karate is barely 100 years old!  A fact that surprised me when i first learned to tie that damn knot in my sparkling white belt. In such a short space of time it appears to have gone through many changes.  In fact the factions or should i say "schools" of karate that have emerged in less than a 100 years is amazing as it is fascinating. 

Anyhow, as i said, this is just getting the ball rolling for this blog......I hope to share my views, thoughts, experiences as well other things "Karate" that you may find interesting..


Bye....