Hakama For Aikido
 
Hakama are a traditional Japanese type of clothing required by many styles of aikido, looking something like a pleated skirt. The type worn for aikido are joba hakama which are made with a divide giving them legs so that they are, in fact, worn like trousers.  Hakama were originally protective clothing for the Samurai; a heavy cotton covering for the legs when horse riding. Later, they became a standard and distinctive part of Samurai clothing and, eventually, part of everyday clothes in Japanese society where men would wear the hakama as a protective or decorative layer over a kimono. Nowadays, they are only worn at formal events, the exception being the practice of martial arts such as aikido, kendo, iaido or swordsmanship and kyudo, also known as zen archery. Interestingly, sumo wrestlers will often be seen wearing hakama in public even though their competition does not require it. 
 
Unlike judo or karate, where training and competition take place in only the modified kimono and pants uniform known as a gi, many styles of aikido have tried to retain the hakama. Partly, this is due to tradition, but it is often said that hakama give the wearer an advantage in that the opponent cannot see the wearer’s foot movements and will therefore be slower to react to many techniques.   The main reason, though, may be to do with Ueshiba Sensei, the founder of modern aikido, insisting that hakama should be worn over the gi, which he saw as undergarments. Hakama for aikido are normally black or dark blue, although white is sometimes worn by the highest grades. Female practitioners sometimes are encouraged to wear hakama, even where men of equal rank are not permitted, but today many dojos see them as part of the uniform for advanced grades only, a display of rank.  To traditionalists, however, the pleats of the hakama represent the traditional virtues of the Samurai caste and should be a symbol worn by all aikidoka, then folded away afterwards with care and respect.
Click here for traditional keikogi jacket.
Click here for traditional, well made hakama.