Is the hakama obligatory?

Halama's are a nightmare to wear - so i can understand someone not wanting to wear one because of additonal risks, or just because they are such a pain in the backside.

But as far as humility is concerened - nothing is more guaranteed to keep you humble on the mat than wearing the b*****y thing!!!

Edward Karaa wrote: I personally believe the hakama to be responsible for a lot of the manierism and the dance like movements we see in aikido. Take off the hakama and I'm sure a great deal of the martial spirit comes back

I really do agree with this statement. Although I have done the old "Hakama Two-Step" many times, and no doubt many more times to come, wearing it has been instrumental to my moving more fluidly and lighter, thus wearing it has been an oppertunity for learning in itself.

IMO aikido is a graceful art, almost balletic in it's execution, and undoubtedly the Hakama makes an important contribution to this effect

Gerry Cochrane

David Chalk wrote: But as far as humility is concerened - nothing is more guaranteed to keep you humble on the mat than wearing the b*****y thing!!!

Good point!

kvaak
Pauliina
For me, summer has officially started - shorts under my hakama last night...

Pauliina Lievonen wrote: Good point! kvaak Pauliina For me, summer has officially started - shorts under my hakama last night...

Ok you 've made your point,wear the bloody thing!!
Its clear for all of us,
No reason repeating ourselves ei?

For the humble thing:

mm..usually it looks much more simple..but anw

Well:
Hypothesis lesson 1

Generally we have:

A + X = C

In order to get as an answer C we need an A and an X

Where X = any possible situation leading to a C
Where A = current situation
Where C = answer- in this case hakama or no hakama beeing
an acceptable answer

In this case we have, A + B = C

B is an X
That is, we assume B , and B is a hypothesis
In this case maybe wrong we assumed B = humbleness thing

And the answer C if i am correct depends to: dojo,sensei,reason,organization,and e.t.c
Where e.t.c is I do not know.

Thank you for listening,
For any difficulties please contact me.xexe

To continue:

On the other hand, I think the thread is leaning towards the safety part of wearing the hakama.
Feel free to comment if you like

Thanks,
Antonis Papas.

Luc Saroufim wrote: i consider Hakamas a safety hazard. they can get stepped on, which could injure a nage, and worse things can happen to an uke who gets caught up in one.

That is one reason, why we ask beginners (latest after 6th kyu test) to wear hakama. They get messed up, but as they do everything slowly, they do not face harm. When they start to act dynamicly , fast and probably hard, they are already used to wearing a long skirt Another reason is: when you are able to do the technique good and safely with a hakama, you can do it even in bad terrain. There is no need to ask: "Can we first make the surface plain and cover it it with mats?".
The disadvantage is that some of us tell the aggressor: let me first change dress - I never learnt doing the techniques without hakama."

Cheers Dirk

Dirk Hanss wrote: Another reason is: when you are able to do the technique good and safely with a hakama, you can do it even in bad terrain.

This was completly intended as a joke, right?

Antonis Paps wrote: Ok you 've made your point,wear the bloody thing!! Its clear for all of us, No reason repeating ourselves ei?

Antonis, sorry I didn't mean to be rubbing it in, David's post just made me laugh.

kvaak
Pauliina

David Chalk wrote: Halama's are a nightmare to wear - so i can understand someone not wanting to wear one because of additonal risks, or just because they are such a pain in the backside.

If it's a pain in the backside you're tying it too tight (and wearing it too low).

Regards,

It would be helpful if my instructor did not wear his hakama. I would have a better view of his footwork.