Japanese Sword Arts FAQ Version 2.7
8. What are those funny clothes kendo and iaido players wear?
The top is called a keiko-gi, uwagi, kendo-gi or just gi. Technically uwagi is the correct term, but the others are all commonly (mis)used. It is a heavy, quilted cotton shirt with three-quarter length sleeves. The kendo-gi is very similar to the top of the judo uniform, but longer. Iaidoka usually wear a gi about the same weight as a karate uniform. Kenjutsuka and iaijutsuka may use kendo or iaido style uwagi or perhaps a kimono: there is no standard.
The bottom is called a hakama. It is a pleated, divided skirt (the modern term might be culottes, but that's not strictly accurate) generally made of cotton or cotton-poly blend. The hakama are the same as aikidoka wear, except that kendo/iaido attaches no particular grade to the hakama. In my club, we let beginners wear them as soon as the footwork is solid enough that we don't have to correct it constantly (the hakama hides the feet).
Traditionally in kendo, the hakama is black or indigo blue for men and white for women. The gi is blue or white. Iaidoka sometimes wear all black or all white regardless of sex. Children's gi have a diamond-shaped line pattern on them. Most people wear all blue. A good quality Japanese gi is died with natural indigo, and so is the kendoka wearing it until the salt from sweat sets the dye. You can also cheat and wash a new gi in cold water and salt before wearing. 8a. Why do they wear hakama? Hakama and keiko-gi are robust versions of the formal samurai clothing of the 18th and 19th centuries. They are worn during sword practice, in preference to something like the clothes worn in karate, to emphasize the formality of occasion. Kendo or iaido training is meant to be more than just physical training, and the choice of clothes emphasises this. Additionally, the clothes add grace and dignity to an already graceful and dignified art.
From a practical standpoint, the hakama is cool and comfortable, allows easy movement and disguises the feet from the opponent.
8a. Why do they wear hakama?
Hakama and keiko-gi are robust versions of the formal samurai clothing of the 18th and 19th centuries. They are worn during sword practice, in preference to something like the clothes worn in karate, to emphasize the formality of occasion. Kendo or iaido training is meant to be more than just physical training, and the choice of clothes emphasizes this. Additionally, the clothes add grace and dignity to an already graceful and dignified art.
From a practical standpoint, the hakama is cool and comfortable, allows easy movement and disguises the feet from the opponent.
8b. What virtues do the hakama pleats represent?
- Jin (benevolence)
- Gi (justice)
- Rei (manners)
- Chi (wisdom)
- Shin(faithfulness, trustfulness)