Whether used, borrowed, or new it is very important to keep proper care of your bogu. Indonesia presents some challenges in bogu maintenance due to the climate. Detailed information on how to maintain this investment is in the manual available for download at our Yahoo Groups site (or you can download it here, or from the original site here). What is provided here are just a few tips for those of you that are new to, and not so new to, bogu.
1) Your bogu comes with several strings (himo) that need to be attached to the men and do. If you have a new bogu make sure to attach the correct himo to the right spot. If your bogu is used or borrowed, check the condition of all the himo before use
2) Always check the condition of the do and mengane before practice. Any issues need to be addressed as they can cause harm to yourself. A damaged mengane will not protect your face well and a cracked do could lead to injury to your stomach area or to others.
3) Wipe down all part of the bogu after practice. You will sweat a lot into the parts in contact with your skin. Wiping down your bogu helps to absorb some of that sweat and remove any salt (yes, your body produces salt) left behind.
4) Pack your bogu properly into your bad. Some parts are a little more delicate than others and if packed incorrectly can lead to shorter lifetime of that piece of equipment
5) Once you get home, unpack your bogu and let it dry in a well ventilated place. The weather here has a nasty habit of allowing fungus to grow on almost everything. Airing out your bogu also helps to reduce the bacteria and smell that accumulates over time.
Most bogu parts can be repaired or replaced, but it can be quite expensive. The better you maintain your bogu the longer it will last without repairs. Remember, your bogu can last you for many years – the better you take care it, the longer you’ll be able to enjoy wearing it.
credit : Senpai from proboards.com
