Rumour - Hakama since day one?

There's rumours around here about Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba promoting (sending letters to Aikikai representatives around the world) the policy of wearing hakama from the start like in the old days.

Can anyone confirm/deny this.

Thanks.

He probably logged into this forum and read my thread about how my pants don't stay up, feared that he would lose people who are practicing or might want to practice aikido because they see me trying to take ukemi with my pants around my ankles and being horrified.

Sound damage control on his part, I think!

I don't know why it matters when you get one? It's not like you suddenly get +3 to aikido skills when wearing one. They're just pants. Pants that look like a skirt, yet still look great somehow.

And honestly I don't care what Doshu says. I don't really like the political system that is the aikikai organisation.

Maarten De Queecker wrote: And honestly I don't care what Doshu says. I don't really like the political system that is the aikikai organisation.

Whaaaa..? Aikido has politics??? ... Noooo waaaay.....

Victoria Pitt wrote: He probably logged into this forum and read my thread ....

Just about lost a mouthful of hot tea on the keyboard on that one, Victoria. You are SOOOO welcome to aikiweb!

Hhhmm.... I have not heard anything about that. Honestly the wear a hakama from day one versus save the hakama for yudansha dilemma isn't an issue for me. Hakama or no hakama, I am there to train. Sure, they are nice, but a hakama doesn't define an aikido student anymore then a gi does. I wear a hakama in iaido and it is more of a pain then anything else. I'm glad I don't have to wear one.

Would be interested in hearing more about this rumor though. This is the first time for me!

Ashley Carter wrote: Sure, they are nice

No they're not. They're a royal pain in the ass. IMO.

Mary Malmros wrote: No they're not. They're a royal pain in the ass. IMO.

Ditto!

Maarten De Queecker wrote: I don't know why it matters when you get one? It's not like you suddenly get +3 to aikido skills when wearing one. They're just pants. Pants that look like a skirt, yet still look great somehow. And honestly I don't care what Doshu says. I don't really like the political system that is the aikikai organisation.

No but my charisma got +2

Ashley Carter wrote: Sure, they are nice......I wear a hakama in iaido and it is more of a pain then anything else. I'm glad I don't have to wear one.

Mary Malmros wrote: No they're not. They're a royal pain in the ass. IMO.

Hhmm... I thought I said the same thing, minus the ass of course. Just out of curiosity Mary, what color is your hakama? I sense you are a blue hakama wearer, but that is just a guess.

Victoria Pitt wrote: He probably logged into this forum and read my thread about how my pants don't stay up, feared that he would lose people who are practicing or might want to practice aikido because they see me trying to take ukemi with my pants around my ankles and being horrified. Sound damage control on his part, I think!

That or the idea of pink monkeys was just way too much....

Or maybe he heard me talking about getting mine with a pink poodle on the bottom....

Demetrio Cereijo wrote: There's rumours around here about Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba promoting (sending letters to Aikikai representatives around the world) the policy of wearing hakama from the start like in the old days. Can anyone confirm/deny this. Thanks.

From Aikikai.or.jp:

Hakama are worn by men from shodan and women from 3rd kyu. This is the custom at Hombu Dojo. However, if you wish, you can wear a hakama from the time you register.

They'd change it there first if there were any truth to the rumor, I think.

Best,

Chris

My understanding was that pre-aikido, people didn't wear hakama as they were learning jujitsu, and they didn't wear hakama as they were learning aiki jujitsu, but once they started learning aiki no jitsu they would start wearing hakama - because I assume, because no one could throw them anymore and so the hakama would not wear out.

In aikido, we tend to just make stronger, more durable hakamas. Maybe it is not supposed to be about the equipment... Something I think about when I have to tie that bad boy on.

Rob

Demetrio Cereijo wrote: There's rumours around here about Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba promoting (sending letters to Aikikai representatives around the world) the policy of wearing hakama from the start like in the old days. Can anyone confirm/deny this. Thanks.

I shall be acquiring shares in a hakama making company.

Hello Demetrio,

Please tell us more details about these rumors, if possible by tomorrow evening. I shall be meeting Doshu in the Netherlands over the weekend and will have the chance to ask him directly.

Best wishes,

PAG

Demetrio Cereijo wrote: There's rumours around here about Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba promoting (sending letters to Aikikai representatives around the world) the policy of wearing hakama from the start like in the old days. Can anyone confirm/deny this. Thanks.

Ashley Carter wrote: Hhmm... I thought I said the same thing, minus the ass of course. Just out of curiosity Mary, what color is your hakama? I sense you are a blue hakama wearer, but that is just a guess.

I'm not an any hakama wearer any more, thank God. When I wore one, it was black, like everyone else in shindo muso.

Rob Liberti wrote: My understanding was that pre-aikido, people didn't wear hakama as they were learning jujitsu, and they didn't wear hakama as they were learning aiki jujitsu, but once they started learning aiki no jitsu they would start wearing hakama - because I assume, because no one could throw them anymore and so the hakama would not wear out.

Uh? Where did you get this from?

Mary Malmros wrote: I'm not an any hakama wearer any more, thank God. When I wore one, it was black, like everyone else in shindo muso.

Ah, interesting.

When I wore one, it was black, like everyone else in shindo muso. Mary Malmros

Really? I earned dan grade in Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo in 1983, and there was no hakama involved, if you do not mind, who required hakama for dan grades, or training at all? But, then again, I am an old fart and things have changed.

Train well,

Mickey

Maarten De Queecker wrote: I don't know why it matters when you get one? It's not like you suddenly get +3 to aikido skills when wearing one

What?!?!?! I thought they were magic aiki-power pants!?!?!?!

Rob Liberti wrote: My understanding was that pre-aikido, people didn't wear hakama as they were learning jujitsu, and they didn't wear hakama as they were learning aiki jujitsu, but once they started learning aiki no jitsu they would start wearing hakama - because I assume, because no one could throw them anymore and so the hakama would not wear out.

It is always good to remind one's self that the signal to noise ratio is very low with many stories...


And to be completely serious, I have to ask... Why does it matter anyway? Who cares?

Now if someone starts requiring wearing pink tutu's I'm gonna protest. But apart from that it seems like a rather minor thing...

Keith Larman wrote: Now if someone starts requiring wearing pink tutu's I'm gonna protest. But apart from that it seems like a rather minor thing...

But what if you wanted to wear a pink tutu just because?

Mine would be red though as that I am not a fan of pink.

Mary Malmros wrote: I'm not an any hakama wearer any more, thank God. When I wore one, it was black, like everyone else in shindo muso.

Not to dredge up bad memories, but if one might ask, which line of SMR?

I like the hakama as a garment - they are beautifully cut and made (and I hope never to have to make another one) - and if I had my druthers I'd have a grey silk one, thank you very much :-)

Prof. Goldsbury, I've sent you a PM.

Maggie Schill wrote: No but my charisma got +2

No, that's only because a hakama has +10 to "Illusion of wearer's awesomess" and +10 to "vanity"