Training Attire
Your uniform (do-gi or keiko-gi):
Your uniform (usually referred to simply as a “gi”) is a traditional way to dress for practice. Some say it was derived from the padded clothing worn under the Samurai’s armor. In any case, changing into this uniform serves to further separate your practice from the mundane aspects of daily life. Your gi should be plain white. Some people have their name written on a sleeve or a small, discreet kanji inscription on their gi but large, flashy patches, advertising, flags and other decorations are frowned upon. Most aikido dojo do not award colored belts to adults. (There are exceptions; go along with whatever your dojo requires.) The gi jacket is always worn with the left lapel crossed over the right (unless you are a Shinto priest or the unfortunate subject of a funeral.) Some one will show you the correct way to tie the belt or “obi”. Always make sure that you and your gi are clean and free of odor. (Some folks don’t wash the belt, apparently hoping it will turn black all by itself.) Keep your finger and toe nails clipped and do not wear jewelry on the mat since it might scrape you or your partner. Tape wedding bands or other jewelry which cannot physically be removed.
The hakama:
The divided skirt-like garment you see is called a “hakama”. It is a traditional Japanese article of clothing. In the past, this was not some esoteric training uniform; for the Samurai, it was everyday attire. For most modern Japanese, it will be worn only a few times during a person’s life, usually at very formal occasions such as traditional weddings. The hakama is worn by practitioners of most of the traditional martial arts of Japan (“koryu”- old schools) as well as more modern derivatives such as Kendo, Kyudo and Aikido.
The divided skirt-like garment you see is called a “hakama”. It is a traditional Japanese article of clothing. In the past, this was not some esoteric training uniform; for the Samurai, it was everyday attire. For most modern Japanese, it will be worn only a few times during a person’s life, usually at very formal occasions such as traditional weddings. The hakama is worn by practitioners of most of the traditional martial arts of Japan (“koryu”- old schools) as well as more modern derivatives such as Kendo, Kyudo and Aikido.
Many dojo require students to attain the rank of shodan (first degree black belt) before they are permitted to wear the hakama. Other schools, as is the case with the Central Florida Aikikai dojo, allow students to wear hakama when their skill level permits them to do so without causing problems with movement and ukemi. Generally, for reasons of both practicality and financial investment, students are encouraged to test a couple of times in order to make sure they are committed to aikido study. As hakama are somewhat costly, beginning students are discouraged from wearing them too early in their training. Always follow the tradition established by your particular Instructor. Black or dark (indigo) blue are the only acceptable colors; this is formal attire, not a costume.
You may read or hear elaborate treatises about the symbolism of the number of pleats or the type of knot that is tied or other myths such as that the hakama is worn to hide the footwork of the practitioner. Most of these stories are of somewhat dubious origin and have no basis in the historical record. The elaborate folding that you see black belts engaged in after class is designed to preserve sharp pleats in the hakama and is not some kind of religious ceremony.
