Bujin Hakama

[Kusarigama]

I've continued to be told by various people and even some suppliers of hakama that sell Bujin products that Bujin's hakama are constructed "incorrectly".

What they mean by that I can't seem to get a decent explanation or reason.

Can anyone enlighten me?


Britt Nichols

[Jeff Hamacher]

when looking at their catalogue from a few years back, you'd notice that they offer two constructions (apart from their women's hakama): the difference is in the front panel length. according to their explanation, the "long front" hakama is intended for a certain manner of wrapping and tying around the obi for aikido training, while the "standard" hakama is for every other type of aikido tying method.

the explanation that i heard somewhere online (hint: thread search E-Budo) was that Bujin sold a lot of their stock to one "branch" of the aikido "tree", where the method of wrapping and tying the hakama demanded the long front panel. and yet, somehow, even the Bujin standard model featured a front too long for many aikidoka.

also bear in mind that Bujin seem quite enthusiastic about innovation in clothing design, so that some features of certain models of hakama are not very traditional. it may lead some to make negative comments about the construction.

if you want to learn more about hakama construction (and even how to sew one yourself), check out Round Earth Publishing (http://www.round-earth.com/). HTH.

[Walker]

They are most likely referring to the direction of the pleats. If this is important to you, I think you can request a traditional pattern.

[RDeppe]

I've worn one for years. They are fine. I also have wore other brands. Differences are very minor (with Bujin you do get options - just choose what you want).

Why do you ask. (I own one and see them all the time so I may be missing the point).

[nicojo]

I like the material my bujin hakama is made of, but the himo are way the hell too long for a good iaido wrap. The koshita does not have a little plastic tab to tuck in the obi knot, like most kendo/iaido company brands do have. I don:t have a problem with the front being too high or anything, and if the pleats are reversed, I can:t say it makes a difference on my training.

It depends on what you are using it for. I won:t buy another bujin hakama for iaido, but I think the material is good for aikido. I need to hack off about a foot of the himo and I already hemmed up three inches from the bottom of the legs.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Kusarigama
I've continued to be told by various people and even some suppliers of hakama that sell Bujin products that Bujin's hakama are constructed "incorrectly".

What they mean by that I can't seem to get a decent explanation or reason.

Can anyone enlighten me?
I can enlighten you, ye seeker of truth...;)

If you look at the front of a hakama you will see five pleats; three on one side, two one the other.

Bujin's used to be reversed left to right from the traditional pattern, but they changed them some time ago. Yet some "experts" continue to perpetuate old information.

Also, Bujin's used to come without a hera, (the hard "tab" that tucks into the obi at the small of the back), reflecting their Aikido emphasis. A hera can hurt it it gets out of position and you take ukemi on it.

Again, old information; you can now order a hera as an option.

If you go to the Bujin Web site you will see on their hakama styles page and their "Fitting" page that they offer many options to help tailor the fit to the wearer, plus the different styles themselves (traditional koshiita, soft "Aikido" koshiita, extended front panel for tucking into the obi or for people with high "rise" in their pelvis, etc.

So now it comes down to whether or not you like their fit and finish. For a really heavyweight hakama I like them, they fit my large frame better than most others I've tried. But for warm weather wear and ceremonial use I like the made in Japan Tetron hakama offered by several companies better. I'd suggest trying to get a sample to look at before buying, or check out their return policy (I think it's pretty liberal, but I haven't shopped there in a while).

HTH.

[Evan London]

I've worn my Bujin hakama for about 4 years and I am very pleased with it. I made my own hera, but I am pleased to hear that they now provide them. My only complain its that their side vents are about 3 inches too long. But what is nice with ordering from Bujin is that everything s customizable, so next time I will simply ask fr sheorted vents. As for the himo being too long, I totally agree. However, I have figured out how to use the "belt loops" on the back of the koshita in conjunction with the long himo to secure my hakama much better.

Ev

[Shihogiri]

I have had my Bujin hakama for a year now and it still looks new. I purchased it with the optional hera (not an issue since I am into a koryu sword art and not aikido). The workmanship is excellent and I expect it to last a very long time. The front himo straps are a little long but it has not been an issue, the rear ones are fine for me. The pleats in mine are the same as my older non-Bujin hakama so it does not appear to be non-traditional.

- Ken Hester

[David T Anderson]

Y'know guys...there's no law preventing you from shortening the himo yourself if you find it too long..

My Bujin hakama [twill, with the Aiki koshita] is still wearing well after 3 years of regular use, although the knees are starting to get thin from shikkyo and suwariwaza. I'm going to take a whirl at making my own hakama, but I'd happily have another Bujin piece if that doesn't pan out.

[Brian Pettett]

Originally posted by Evan London
... I have figured out how to use the "belt loops" on the back of the koshita in conjunction with the long himo to secure my hakama much better.

Evan, could you describe this procedure, in PM if not here? I am constantly experimenting with ways of getting the "perfect" fit, and your way seems different. Thanks!

[Evan London]

Hey Brian,

If you have a Bujin hakama, the back of the koshiita should have two belt-loop-like-thingys on each side of it. What I do is feed the front himo through both of them on my first pass, wrap the himo around the front on top of the hakama, then around the back again where I wrap it under koshiita and between it and the obi, and finally cme around in the front again where I tie the himo in a bow under the hakama. Then I tie the back himo the way I would normally would in the front. This method helps secure the back of the hakama very well, and keeps the knot in front and out of sight. Having the know in front is great for arts where having it in the back could could be painful when rolling.

I've never seen anyone else do this. I've just came up with it after lots of trial and error. I've never seen the belt loops on other makes of hakama so I'm not sure it it would work with them. Plus, with this method you need Bujin's extra long himo.

Hope that helps.

Ev

[kenkyusha]

Evan,

Don't you want/need long side-vents when you are momodachi? I always get slightly longer so that even when hiked-up, there is enough room to move the saya correctly.

Be well,
Jigme

[Evan London]

Originally posted by kenkyusha
Evan,

Don't you want/need long side-vents when you are momodachi? I always get slightly longer so that even when hiked-up, there is enough room to move the saya correctly.

Be well,
Jigme

Tha may be the case, but I find that the vents are just way to long for me on my hakama. They almost reach to the level of my knees!

Ev