Another Hakama thread?

So there I was in practice as usual when the inevitable happenned...

Sensei said, "Say, Boon, when are you getting your hakama?". Suddenly the cat got my tongue and it took me numerous seconds before I could utter a reply.

Inside me, I was elated... hakama, the badge of honour to mark ones' milestone in aikido. I have as do so many of you all have, our show 'n' tell that we are aikidokas. Bruises, Bumps, dislocated this and that, thick callous at our sole of foot et cetera, but a hakama is a true badge of honour. Oh crap all that...

I am just a drag queen wannabe and I want to be an extraordinaire drag queen.

Anyway, back from my digression... all I could mutter was a soft, kiddi-like whimper, "Ermm, how much is it? I thought only a sandan or above can wear it?" Acting all dowey eyed, infantile and innocent-looking.

So anyway, I am getting one at my local retail martial art supplier after getting my next pay check. These suckers are real expensive.

Nah, this thread has no educational value whatsoever, it is only just for ranting off. Sorry,

Boon.

Hakam a badge of honor? Nah. They're just trousers. Big baggy trou with a complex system of tying them on, but only trousers in the end. No mystique, no cachet of expertise. Only pants that will trip you when you least expect it.

And shouldn't be all THAT expensive. You can get into a decent tetron hak for less than USD $75 generally. Cotton might be cheaper (or more expensive), depending.

Chuck

Don't forget the anti-tripping devices


Delboy

Derek Webb wrote: Don't forget the anti-tripping devices Delboy

Happy Birthday mate

Try either bogubag.com or e-bogu.com. Both have tetron hakama for under US$50 (plus shipping).

Xu Wenfung wrote: Sensei said, "Say, Boon, when are you getting your hakama?"

Next he's going to tell you to use more ki in your techniques

Bronson

Don't let the Hakama-haters get to ya.... Oh yeah, you can also check out the selection at Bujin.....

I agree with Kent, E-bogu and Bogubag have good prices. I have THIS HAKAMA from E-bogu and quite like it. It's $60 US but has a couple features that make the extra $10 worth it IMO. I also have two from Bujin, one with the traditional koshiita and one with the aikido koshiita, and I much prefer the $60 Tetron one mentioned above from E-bogu.

Bronson

i have the same e-bogu hakama. it's the only one i have worn but i like it. comfy...for the most part.

when i called bu-jin the sales guy was a jerk to me so i told him to stuff it.

Happy Birthdays Derek and Evan!

Boon, Mr. "Woe is me, hakamas are so expensive!" My heart really bleeds for you buddy. You are secretly just showing off to us lower ranks that you've earned your hakama already.

Happy New Year all!

ahh thank you it was a great birthday, thanks to my wife and parents

the dojo was even open, even though it was a holiday. i loved it.


peace

evan

Bronson Diffin wrote: Next he's going to tell you to use more ki in your techniques Bronson

Ki??? Ki are for sissies.

Hah, Bronco my man, Happy New Year and <Darth Vader voice...> May the power of Ki be with you <end of special effect voice>

Oh Niamh,

Boon, Mr. "Woe is me, hakamas are so expensive!" My heart really bleeds for you buddy. You are secretly just showing off to us lower ranks that you've earned your hakama already

.

Is it that obvious?

Boon.

Wasnt the Hakama originally the samurai's riding pants?

Interesting thread. For myself I alway thought Hakama were really cool, were an Honor to wear and made your Aikido much better. I found that whilst it is definitely a Honor to wear one, the fact that you are in danger of tripping over the damn thing almost all the time means that they certainly ain't cool, as far as whether they make your Aikido better you are certainly more focused on your footwork, but I'm not convinced.

Xu

Have fun tying your new Hakama and remember Niamh's is dying to listen sympathetically to all the problems you have with your Hakama - I guarantee there will be plenty.

Yep, hakama were pretty much samurai chaps, but evolved into something more like trousers, eventually. There are all kinds of hakama, too, for different situations, activities and stylistic preferences.

The 'standard' hakama we wear with the traditional budogi, I look at 'em sort of like khaki trousers, not real dressy, but maybe a step above blue jeans. Maybe office casual ...

As for tripping on them, basically, most folks wearing hakama wear them too long. Ideally, the hem ought to fall at about the ankle. Forget about the hiding the feet thing. It's a myth. Getting the length right reduces the trippage ...

Chuck

David Chalk wrote: Interesting thread. For myself I alway thought Hakama were really cool, were an Honor to wear and made your Aikido much better. I found that whilst it is definitely a Honor to wear one, the fact that you are in danger of tripping over the damn thing almost all the time means that they certainly ain't cool, as far as whether they make your Aikido better you are certainly more focused on your footwork, but I'm not convinced. Xu Have fun tying your new Hakama and remember Niamh's is dying to listen sympathetically to all the problems you have with your Hakama - I guarantee there will be plenty.

Hey David,

Thanks for your feel-good comment. Tonight at practice will be my first class with hakama on. Wonder how bad will the tripping be? Only problem... must learn how to tie and wear one first. Yoshibrute are poor with hakamas. Big Claws and such... <sigh>.

Boon.