Head towel
The myeonsugeon (면수건) is the cotton head towel worn in kumdo before putting on the head protector (homyeon, 호면). Its main job is to absorb sweat.
How to say it
- Korean
- 면수건myeonsugeon
- Spanish
- Toalla para la cabeza
- English
- Head towel
- Japanese
- 面手拭いめんてぬぐいmen tenugui
Myeonsugeon (면수건) is the Korean name for the towel worn on the head in kumdo. Korean equipment shops list it as «면수건», «머리수건» (head towel) and «검도 두건» (kumdo head cloth).
A Korean forum post says you need this towel or cloth on your head before putting on the head protector (homyeon, 호면). Shop descriptions present it as something that absorbs sweat during practice.
- Ways of wearing it: the same source describes three common ways. In the first, the towel is folded and worn like a cap, with the thick part on the forehead and the ears covered. According to that source, women mostly use this one and men the second or third. In the third, the ends are tied at the forehead and the ears are covered.
- Material and size: one Korean shop lists 100% cotton, about 35–36 cm wide and 102–104 cm long.
- Varieties: they come in many designs (dragonfly, cherry blossom, bamboo, plum blossom and others). There is also a cap-shaped version (모자형) sold in sizes 1 to 4.
- Functions according to Japanese sources on kendo: it stops sweat running onto the face, protects the head protector from sweat damage and softens part of the impact of a strike. One shop adds that it can help stop bleeding.
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