The Tare (Japanese: 垂れ) is part of the armor (Bōgu) in Kendo and provides protection for the waist and hips.
It is made of several layers of cotton material that are layered to create stiffness. The Tare is divided into five protective flaps. The front flap is usually covered with a Tare bag (Japanese: ゼッケン – Zekken, Tareneemu, or 名札 – Nafuda).
In Japan, the origin of the Kendoka usually appears at the top and the name underneath. There is no such standard in Europe.
The DKenB competition rules stipulate that the fighter's name must be in Latin script, and this is also common practice. Above it is usually the club's crest (but also the federal state's coat of arms or the federal flag).
Many European Kendoka also wear their name in Japanese script on the Tare shield. The Tare is attached with two wide cotton straps (Japanese: 紐 – Himo) sewn onto it.