Kendo Kote (Gloves). Please Try It Before You Buy! No Refunds!! Please Leave Reviews Below And Concerns On My Page. "Osu No Seishin". Kote : hand and forearm protectors (gauntlets). The kote are mitten-like gloves. They were designed expressly for kendo. While appearing to be cumbersome, enough mobility is allowed to grip the shinai in a comfortable, powerful, and firm way. Kote for naginatajutsu practitioners have a singulated index finger and thumb to better facilitate the rapid shifting of the hands along the length of the naginata's shaft.