If you have ever seen footage of Aikido, you may have seen people dressed in quite unique clothing.
You may be curious as to the style of dress and why it is worn.
Generally, when people start off training in Aikido they wear a uniform similar to other Japanese martial arts. This is the suit known as a gi or judo gi. In Aikido, we generally wear a white gi to start off with.
The judo gi was apparently invented by Jigoro Kano, the man that invented modern judo. The International Judo Federation states:
“In the very early years of judo’s development, Kano used various traditional Japanese kimonos which were too limited in strength. So he made a few changes to the design of his training uniform and looked for a stronger fabric, so that the gi wouldn’t tear.”
This became a standard across many arts.
In Aikido, there is the addition of the hakama. This is what covers the lower half of the body. Aikido Journal states:
“The Hakama are traditional Japanese pants, originally worn over a kimono by members of the higher classes of society. It’s origins may be found in the Heian era (794-1185), when women of the imperial court used to wear culottes as base layer of their kimono that looked similar to a Hakama . However, it’s during the Kamakura period that the warrior class began to wear Hakama commonly, mostly as protection during horseback riding.
The Hakama then became a symbol of power as the standard outfit for nobles and Samurai. Various forms appeared and the Hakama became one of the most common types of pants for the whole population.”
On why it is still worn today, it states:
“The Hakama is the standard outfit in most Kobudo, for the simple reason that those arts come from a time when the Hakama was the standard outfit of practitioners (the Samurai).”
Often in Aikido, hakama are not worn until 1st Dan so it is a sign of a particular level of ability.
Personally, I see it as the uniform of Aikido and it can be fun to have a different uniform to wear. However it can be impractical at times and perhaps even dangerous as it can be tripped upon. It’s certainly a good idea that beginners don’t wear it from the start, especially as they have not learned to fall.
If you are interested in coming along to try AIkido, you are welcome to join our class tonight at 7.30pm until 8.30pm. It takes place at the Palace Of Art, Paisley Road West in Glasgow.
Keep Extending Ki,
Sensei Ronnie Smith
Aikido For Glasgow 