Bujin Women's Hakama

Have any of you used them and what did you think of them? I'm slender overall & have a tiny waist, but am blessed/cursed with naturally curvy hips. I always have to buy jeans to fit my hips and then wear a belt to make it fit my waist..... grr.... thank goodness for low-rise jeans! This makes it a little easier for me.

Anywho.... I was wondering which one you have (cotton or twill) and which koshiita you have. I need the hakama for iaido, so I am guessing I will need the original, but I will also need a hakama for aikido and I am wondering if the aiki koshiita will be more comfortable. Does the traditional koshiita have rubber in it instead of something hard?

Also, have you had the pleats sewn? Just curious to see how this worked out for you

Thanks ladies!

I bought one of the women's hakama and I really like it. I'm heavy but have about a ten inch difference between my waist and my hips so really needed the extra cut. I have the twill and it's holding up great. I didn't bother to have the pleats sown in, but it's holding the pleats well too. I have the aiki koshita and have had no trouble rolling or falling.

I had one and it fit the "curves" very well. My understanding was that the way the pleats were set was not traditional, but they helped keep the hakama relatively unwrinkled (I had the 100% cotton) and to maintain its form. And it was fairly easy to fold despite the heavyweight fabric.

My build was stocky back when I was using the hakama (I've lost some weight and have gotten kind of wiry over the past year, so it likely wouldn't fit as well anymore if I still had it). Bujin did a great job tailoring it to spec, and it fit very well when I was using it.

The koshita had some kind of hard but flexible board in it, not rubber. Maybe plastic. It was firm enough to fit to the small of the back, but wasn't brittle or too rigid.

I never cared much for wearing a hakama and don't miss wearing one... never got comfortable in it ... but as hakamas go, the Bujin was a pretty good one.

They don't produce them in 35".. the smallest is 37"". they didn't think of me when they produced them.

Maggie - I just ordered a dogi from Steve at Bujin. At least on those, they are keeping their stock very low, and making them as orders come in. It takes 7-10 days before it ships, but the upside is you can order to your specs, at no extra charge. Give 'em a call. This is my second order from them, and I've been very impressed.

I hope I spec'd the right length for my sleeves, so I can stop rolling them up.

Just an fyi, I asked them about their koshita a while ago and they use a rubber now. Not sure when they switched, but they said it is firm, but very flexible. The 35" you were talking about, is that for your hips? I myself am around 35" or 36" with a 28" waist, so ordering for me should be fun. HAHA.

Bujin is a premium manufacturer. I have noticed that their inventory certainly doesn't cost pennies, but having something that lasts long often makes it worth the investment. That is, three cheap hakama @ $50>one durable hakama @ $100. I didn't look up the prices, so this is pretty much a hypothetical. I have been on the site many times, though, and bought a really solid jo from there, not to mention all the tee shirts! I'm actually wearing one with the Japanese maple leaves right now. It's too funny how all my friends think they are cannabis leaves. They actually do look almost identical. I find the tees great, and it's actually fun explaining to people what the leaves really are.

Drew

Ashley Carter wrote: Just an fyi, I asked them about their koshita a while ago and they use a rubber now. Not sure when they switched, but they said it is firm, but very flexible.

I was taught many yrs ago by someone from Chicago to use plumber's gasket (a sheet of vulcanized rubber) to replace koshita filling if the cardboard fell apart. I've done it and it does make a wonderful strong, pliable koshita with lots of soft give for rolling and falling.

I will keep that in mind. Thanks.

Cool, thanks. I have trouble finding gi's and hakamas that fit. I'm like really short, and really hippy. (I'm a Portuguese girl lol)
I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

Nothing wrong with being hippy Maggie! I like having a small waist and bigger hips. Women are meant to have some curves.

Ashley Carter wrote: Nothing wrong with being hippy Maggie! I like having a small waist and bigger hips. Women are meant to have some curves.

EXACTLY!! Those extra developed muscles in the hips and thighs can kokyu-ho men twice my size through a wall. lol

My husband and I play around and try to knock eachother off balance by hitting each other with our hips. I always win that battle.

Yeah we play that game too. He's like 6'3", I'm over a foot shorter. I like to get as low as possible for some techniques when I'm uke just to tease him... he falls over a lot lol

Just gotta love doing that. Haha. My husband and I are about the same height, though he weighs more then me.

Quick update: My Bu Jin dogi arrived. Love it!

The "medium weight" is lighter than I expected (a good thing). I don't know names of fabrics, but I'd say it's made of the same sort of stuff a lab coat might be - smooth, and with some body to it (not flimsy). It's all cotton, except for where the shoulder area and sleeves are lined with CoolMax fabric.

The pants would be a little tight in the hips if I gained 5 pounds, but as I'm aiming to lose another 15 I think that will be OK. The jacket is tight around the hips if I tie the little ties at the corners (not used to those!), but if I don't tie them it fits very nicely. Again, another 15 pounds might fix that issue.

I think the only thing I asked for custom was 27" sleeves, since I've been having to roll up my current ones, leaving a half-inch thick lump to land on. The sleeves on my new one are perfect. Plenty of room for wrist-grabbing (and air circulation).

Anywhoo... Back to discussing hakama. I wouldn't hesistate to order from Bu Jin.