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WABUKAN Arsenal · Uniforms and tradition · Japan

Hakama

Wide pleated trousers of the samurai. Its seven pleats are often said to stand for seven virtues of budo.

Hakama
Hakama WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

袴 · umanori-hakama; andon-hakama

Origin and history

Pleated trousers worn over the kimono by Japanese aristocrats and later by samurai, the hakama became everyday wear for the warrior class in the Edo period. Today it is part of the uniform in kendo, iaido, kyūdō, aikido, naginata and jōdō.

Martial arts that use it

Aikido Kendo Iaido Kyudo Naginatajutsu Jodo

Construction

Wide, pleated trousers with seven pleats (five in front, two at the back) and long ties (himo); the stiff back plate is the koshi-ita. The umanori style is divided for riding; the andon style is a skirt.

Basic techniques

Training

Uniforms and traditional items are “trained” through etiquette: how to wear, fold, tie and care for them is taught alongside technique and is part of each art’s culture.

Safety

Keep it clean and dry, check seams and knots, and make sure nothing hangs loose that could catch fingers or toes during training.

Legality (general information)

This is training or traditional equipment, not a weapon, and is generally free to buy and own. Clubs and federations may still set rules on approved models and condition. General information, not legal advice.

Did you know?

In some schools the seven pleats are explained as seven virtues associated with bushidō; this interpretation is modern and varies from dojo to dojo.

More weapons

Black belt Berimbau Mawashi Keikogi (gi)

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Hakama