A hakama is a wide, pleated garment that looks something like a long, divided skirt, worn over the trousers of a gi. It is most closely associated with aikido, where most or all practitioners wear one, but it also appears in some styles of judo, kendo, iaido and koryu, or older sword arts, often reserved for higher graded or senior students.
Traditionally a hakama has seven deep pleats, five at the front and two at the back, which are sometimes said to represent virtues such as courage, honesty and respect, though accounts of the symbolism vary between schools. Practically, the flowing shape conceals leg and footwork during throws and falls, which is one reason it suits aikido's circular, evasive movement. Learning to fold, tie and walk in a hakama is itself part of training in these arts, since the wide fabric can be caught underfoot if the wearer is not used to it.
Our aikido and hakama guide covers fitting, folding and care, and the entry on obi explains how the belt worn underneath relates to it.
