Kendo Clothing

The common Kendo clothing sets include the Kendo jacket or more commonly known as the keikogi and the Kendo pants called the Hakama which appears just like a pleated skirt. Notice that there are two specific colors when it comes to the Kendo clothing: one is the deep indigo blue while the other is the white Kendo gear. There are generally no specific requirements when it comes to the color of Kendo clothing but a lot of Kendoka prefer wearing the blue shade simply because of tradition. Aside from tradition, the indigo dyed cotton is also considered as one of the best choices for practitioners especially when they are planning to purchase Kendo clothing for sale; this is because it is the type that does not get easily damaged by sweat, plus it has a more appealing look and the dye is also known to be a mild yet great disinfectant.
The keikogi is made to be comfortable for the user and it also absorbs perspiration and offers more protection for sudden or accidental hits; when it comes to the hakama, it allows the practitioner to comfortably move around with ease especially for the legs when moving back and forth during stances or lunges. Additionally, the hakama also conceals the practitioner’s footwork during practice or competitions. Every Kendo practitioner should always remember to keep their Kendo clothing and equipment neat, and every pleat of the Kendo hakama should be straight.

Keikogi

The keikogi is part of the Kendo clothing that appears just like a jacket made from a thick and quilted cotton fabric; since the material is flexible and strong enough, it can provide more protection from unnecessary bumps and attacks that may be acquired during Kendo practice. The quilted fabric also aids in the absorption of perspiration yet it facilitates excellent drying of the garment. The keikogi can be seen in different patterns as well as colors and the most common ones are the solid colors such as indigo blue and white.

Wearing the Keikogi

There are a few steps to follow when wearing the keikogi and these are the following:

  • Wear the keikogi and make sure that the left lapel overlaps the right lapel.
  • Secure it with the munehimo then tie the end in a firm bow / knot.
  • Ensure that the knot is tied properly such that its loops rest properly in a horizontal position.

Hakama

The Kendo hakama are the trousers for Kendo but these look just like a pleated skirt but with an outward; it is primarily created for Kendo since it allows the Kendoka to move freely around the legs and lower body. These are usually made of polyester or cotton and when shopping for Kendo clothing for sale, one will notice that the Hakama that are present usually come in solid colors such as indigo blue and white.

Wearing the Kendo Hakama

Just like the keikogi, one should follow a few steps when wearing the Kendo hakama:

  • Holding the front part of the garment, step into the hakama with the left foot first; when removing this, one should step out with the right foot first.
  • Position the hakama at waist level before wrapping the maehimo around the body, making it fold at the back before bringing it back to the front. Once in front, bring the maehimo across the body, measuring about six to ten centimeters below the upper edge of the hakama.
  • In front of the person’s right hip portion, fold the himo over the maehimo then bring the maehimo to the practitioner’s back and secure its ends together by making a horizontal bow knot.
  • Bring the koshiita above the maehimo’s knot then wrap the ushirohimo around to reach the front part of the practitioner’s body.
  • One should also cross the left part of the ushirohimo over the right before wrapping it beneath then around the whole hakama himo. Tie the ushirohimo in a square-like knot before neatly tucking the ends at the back.
  • Reach for the hakama’s side openings to straighten the keikogi’s coattails; tug on any slack on the keikogi’s backside, moving these to the sides to keep the keikogi neat and fitted perfectly without showing any wrinkles or unnecessary folds.

Care and Washing

Always remember that the Kendo clothing should be kept clean, neat, and without any tears; if these end up faded, worn out, or discolored, it is necessary for every practitioner to shop for a new set of kendo clothing for sale. Aside from keeping it clean and neat, proper storage of the Kendo clothing will also prolong the life of the garment, keeping it appealing and looking new and crisp. Hakama that are made from polyester should be taken care of thoroughly just like other press garments and proper drying and folding will definitely keep the longevity of this. For dyed cotton hakama and keikogi, these should be given a little bit of extra care when handling since dyed Kendo clothing should be washed separately from other items; this is because the blue dye may bleed out from the material.