FAQ
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Hakama!
To find the right Hakama, you need the measurement from the navel down to the ankle. In the table below you will find the corresponding Hakama size.
| Body height | 150 cm | 160 cm | 165 cm | 170 cm | 175 cm | 180 cm | 185 cm | 190 cm | 195 cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hakama size | 21 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Navel to ankle | 81 cm | 89 cm | 93 cm | 97 cm | 101 cm | 105 cm | 109 cm | 113 cm | 117 cm |
Traditionally, Hakama sizes are given in Japanese kujira-shaku. You can calculate this by dividing the measurement from the navel to the ankle by 37.9. Then round the number up or down, remove the decimal point, and you will get the appropriate Hakama size.
Example:
For a body height of 193 cm, the measurement from the navel to the ankle is about 108 cm. Divided by 37.9, this gives 2.85 shaku. In this case, a Hakama size 28 would fit. If you prefer to wear the Hakama a little lower, size 29 would also be a good choice.
Special cases
- Very slim people often wear the Hakama a little higher, while people with a bit more stomach prefer to tie it a little lower ("under the stomach"). This may make a shorter or longer size more suitable.
- Aikido Hakama are tucked into the front of the Keiko-gi belt. Slim people should therefore choose the Hakama a little longer, so that it does not end too far above the floor. Those who wear the Hakama lower usually have enough fabric left and can choose the normal size.
- For slim and waist-shaped women, the Hakama often sits higher on the waist. Therefore, one size larger is often recommended. Our specially developed ladies' Hakama from the NYOSHOU series are especially comfortable for this purpose.
There are two common methods to wash your Hakama. The simpler of the two is naturally to simply put the Hakama in the washing machine. This actually works very well with synthetic fiber and blended fabric Hakama.
Alternatively, you can also wash the Hakama by hand – I would definitely recommend this for high-quality, indigo-dyed Hakama... Both methods are described here:
Hand washing
Soak the Hakama in a small tub or bathtub with little water and a generous splash of vinegar. Instead of vinegar, you can also use detergent specifically for dark laundry.
Then rinse the Hakama with lukewarm water and hang it to dry on a hanger. This keeps the pleats of the Hakama perfectly in shape.
But caution: Do not hang in direct sunlight!
Washing machine
If you're looking for the easy way, you can also use the washing machine. Use the setting for sportswear. It's best to fold the Hakama neatly and put it in a fabric bag of comparable size and wash it inside.
The advantage: After washing, it won't have any batik pattern from rubbing against the drum, and the pleats stay intact here too! Just hang it on a hanger and let it dry.
Hakama is not equal to Hakama
No matter if Kendo, Iaido or Aikido – every Hakama brings its own unique characteristics to the dojo. Some are more robust, some easier to care for, and some only forgive the most elegant forward roll with a tired rustle of the Himo. To help you find the right Hakama for your training, we have summarized the most important differences for you.
Kendo Hakama – traditional, robust and indigo blue
The classic Kendo Hakama is traditionally made from cotton. Advanced Kendoka particularly appreciate cotton because it absorbs sweat well and can be excellently dye-dyed with indigo. This typical Aizome look simply belongs to Kendo for many.
Beginners, on the other hand, often opt for blended fabric Hakama. They are more affordable, easier to care for and crease much less – ideal for getting started or daily training.
Typical for Kendo Hakama is also the stiff Koshita (back plate). The hem is usually a bit longer in the front than in the back, so footwork remains as elegantly hidden as possible. Good Ashi-Sabaki should ideally only be visible once the strike has already landed.
Iaido Hakama – elegant, clean and rotation-friendly
The Iaido Hakama looks very similar to the Kendo Hakama at first glance: stable Koshita, classic Himo and a clear, traditional shape. The difference lies in the details.
In Iaido, the Hakama is cut equally long front and back. Many Iaidoka also consciously choose synthetic fiber Hakama. The reason is quite pragmatic: Due to the many rotational movements and working on the knees, cotton quickly develops so-called "mirrors" – shiny patches on the knee areas. And those look unfortunately less like Samurai and more like freshly polished kitchen countertops.
Blended fabrics and synthetics stay visually clean longer here and are particularly easy to care for.
Aikido Hakama – soft, flexible and roll-friendly
The Aikido Hakama clearly differs from the Kendo and Iaido variants. The most striking feature is the soft Koshita. Especially during ukemi, rolls and dynamic movements, it is much more comfortable to wear.
The Himo on Aikido Hakama are also significantly longer. They are often wrapped multiple times around the body and sometimes additionally tied into the Obi, so the Hakama stays securely in place even during intense training.
There are no strict rules for materials in Aikido. Both cotton and blended fabrics are popular. Traditionally, mostly black Hakama are worn, though some dojos prefer dark blue models.
The pleats of the Hakama – more than just decoration
Almost all classic Hakama have five pleats in the front and two in the back. These pleats traditionally stand for various virtues and are part of the typical Hakama appearance.
There are exceptions though: Field Hakama often have only three pleats in the front and are cut narrower overall. The pant legs can sometimes be additionally laced, so they interfere less during movement and training.
Especially in many Kenjutsu schools, Field Hakama are still part of daily training. And honestly: Once you've worn a comfortable Field Hakama, you quickly understand why some would love to wear it outside the dojo too.
Which Hakama fits you?
At Kendo24 you will find a large selection of Hakama for Kendo, Iaido and Aikido – from easy-care blended fabrics to high-quality, traditionally indigo-dyed cotton Hakama.
Of course we also manufacture custom-sized Hakama on request. If you have questions about the right size, fabric choice or suitable model, we are happy to assist you with advice and experience.