Men Conditioning
A guide by Fred Amakubo
When you first purchase a new men it is important to 'train' it to the correct shape. This will ensure a much more comfortable fit to your head and ensure the Mendare (shoulder flaps) sit correctly. The following guide shows how the men himo (cords) should be tied between practices to condition your men into the correct shape.
Step 1
After wiping the men with fresh clean water to remove any sweat, first cross the himo at the back where the peak of your head is when the men is on.
You can use a phone and a mirror to work out where your peak is.
Step 2
Thread the himo through the top section of the mengane (grill) so they cross as shown.
Step 3
Pull the remaining strings back. Follow the himo on either side and loop it through
under the cross and through the top, as shown.
Step 4
Create a loop with the remaining himo and feed it through the monomi (the widest gap
in the grill that you see through - this should be level with our eyes).
Step 5
Get the remaining end of the same himo and, from the bottom of the men, feed it through the loop.
Repeat for both sides.
Step 6
Pull on the himo and this will secure your mendare (the flaps) at a 90 degree angle.
Step 7
Finally tuck the himo under the bottom end of the himo and friction will secure the men in the correct shape.