New Hakama

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[Mike Haftel]

Hi! Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

I'm buying my own hakama (I've been using my friend's Eikou Budougu). The one I've been using is a Kendo hakama though, not so good for Ukemi and such.

Anyway, I'm about 6' 1.5" tall and weigh about 185 lbs. The one I've been using is a size 27. Although, I don't know how this company measures their lengths. It's a dark blue, 65/35 blend, I'm not sure what type of fabric though.

I think I want mine about .5" or so shorter. So, around 39-40 inches.

I was looking at the ones from e-bogu, Tozando, and Bu Jin Design. Though, I can't really decide which one to get. I know I'd rather have a black one than blue and I don't want a shiny fabric. I also want something that holds pleats well.

The Bu Jin ones look really nice (and I can get the pleats stitched), as do the Tozando ones. The e-bogu ones are last on my list.

Any suggestions? I've done some searching for reviews and answers to my questions. But, I'm still unable to make a decision.

Also, do all hakama have a hera (that plastic peg that you tuck into the rear not), or just Kendo ones? It seems like it would get in the way for ukemi.

[Mark Uttech]

Bujin, Bujin, and Bujin. They have quite a variety and also do custom work. As for a hera, I have never heard of it or seen one. I have been wearing Bujin hakamas for over 20 years.

In gassho

Mark

[Mike Haftel]

Bujin, Bujin, and Bujin. They have quite a variety and also do custom work. As for a hera, I have never heard of it or seen one. I have been wearing Bujin hakamas for over 20 years.

In gassho

Mark

Bu Jin actually has the option for a hera listed.

http://susanf.netwiz.net/himo/hera2.jpg

The hera hangs from the inside of the koshiita and tucks into the obi, in the back.

[Janet Rosen]

For pleats that stay put, I'll put in a plug for mugendo's tetron hak.
http://www.budogu.com/

[Mike Haftel]

For pleats that stay put, I'll put in a plug for mugendo's tetron hak.
http://www.budogu.com/

They look pretty nice. I'll keep them in mind.

I mean, when it comes down to it, aren't the ones from Tonzando, e-bogu, budogu, aoi, etc.. all pretty much to same (except for Bujin)?

[Jeremy Hulley]

I love both mine from E bogu.

I have a really nice older one form Tozando that I like lots.

I wore a blue one from bogu bag for about five years.

Bujin is nice if you can afford to customize it the way you want..

Good luck and have fun..

[Edward]

In my humble opinion, Iwata and Tozando are the best you can get....

[Princess Rose]

I love Bujin. I've had my hakama for about 5 years or so and I'm just starting to need a new one (already hinted to my parents for my birthday in October).

[batemanb]

I just purchased a new one on my recent trip to Japan, to replace my curretn one that I have been using for teh last 10 years. It's still very useable, but I figured time to think about replacing.

I bought it from the same shop that my last one came from,and was informed by Nakao Sensei that they are from Tozando, even though they have the shops label sown in.

If that's so, I can't recommend them highly enough, and have bought more for other members of my dojo back here over the years. The only downside, the blue dye bleeds onto the mat for a good few months, in fact probably about a year. It's a good job it gets rubbed back out of the white canvas cover over time, and washes out of everyone elses keiko gi :D

[Mike Haftel]

So far, I'm leaning towards Bujin, Tozando, and Budogu. E-bogu is on the fence.

I'm sure I'll be happy which ever way I go, just too many choices is all.

[Mike Haftel]

I just purchased a new one on my recent trip to Japan, to replace my curretn one that I have been using for teh last 10 years. It's still very useable, but I figured time to think about replacing.

I bought it from the same shop that my last one came from,and was informed by Nakao Sensei that they are from Tozando, even though they have the shops label sown in.

If that's so, I can't recommend them highly enough, and have bought more for other members of my dojo back here over the years. The only downside, the blue dye bleeds onto the mat for a good few months, in fact probably about a year. It's a good job it gets rubbed back out of the white canvas cover over time, and washes out of everyone elses keiko gi :D

Well, I'd be getting a synthetic blend....Tetron or similar...and black, not indigo. So, there shouldn't be any color bleed. Right?

[Edward]

Well, I'd be getting a synthetic blend....Tetron or similar...and black, not indigo. So, there shouldn't be any color bleed. Right?

Only died cotton bleeds, tetron doesn't.

[Jill N]

And if you do have one with a hera, cut it off. It can cause injury if it gets positioned wrong and you happen to breakfall onto it. Regarding the need to have it .5" shorter, have you attempted needle and thread?

:^)

e ya later
Jill.

[Bronson]

Love my e-bogu tetron hakama, the material is damn near bullet proof. The one that costs just a little more has the pleats stitched in.

I've owned two Bujin hakama and will never buy another one.

One of my students had a Tozando hakama, it was nice but didn't fit him well (he said it was tight around the legs).

Agree with not using the "spoon". The above student had a spectacular hakama failure when the spoon ripped out during ukemi and left a gaping hole just below the koshiita.

Bronson

[Mike Haftel]

Love my e-bogu tetron hakama, the material is damn near bullet proof. The one that costs just a little more has the pleats stitched in.

I've owned two Bujin hakama and will never buy another one.

One of my students had a Tozando hakama, it was nice but didn't fit him well (he said it was tight around the legs).

Agree with not using the "spoon". The above student had a spectacular hakama failure when the spoon ripped out during ukemi and left a gaping hole just below the koshiita.

Bronson

Which e-bogu tetron are you talking about? There's like 10 of them.

What didn't you like about the Bujin hakama?

Does anybody have experience with budo-aoi hakama?

[akiy]

Hi folks,

I just wanted to encourage you all to please post your reviews in the hakama section of the Equipment Reviews section of this site (as well as here):

http://www.aikiweb.com/reviews/showcat.php?cat=29

Doing so will allow people to see your reviews when they see the item in the reviews section.

Thanks,

-- Jun

[Mike Haftel]

I just bought one from E-Bogu (10,000 count cotton) and one from Budogu (Tetron).

We'll see how they go. I'll write a review when I get them.