How to Fold Hakama

Originally, hakama were worn as an outer garment to protect a samurai horseman's legs from brush, weeds, etc.. After the samurai made the transition from mounted soldiers to foot soldiers, they continued to wear the hakama largely due to the fact that it set them apart and made them easily identifiable.
The hakama has 7 folds in it (5 in the front, 2 in the back). It is said that the seven folds represent the 7 principals of Bushido (the way of the warrior).

Yuki - courage, valor, bravery
Jin - humanity, charity, benevolence
Gi - justice, righteousness, integrity
Rei - etiquette, courtesy, civility (obedience)
Makoto - sincerity, honesty, reality
Chugi - loyalty, fidelity, devotion
Meiyo - honor, dignity, prestige

 


 

 

 

 

1.Neatly attach line A to line B                          

 

 

 

 

 

2.Pick it up with both left and right hand as shown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.Swing it to get it lined up several times
and then carefully set down face up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


4.Flip bottoms up and get
them lined up to center as shown

 

 

 

 

 

5.Again attach line A to line B promptly.
Also adjust pleats so there flat and neat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.Fold both ends almost 4 inches to
inside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


7.Fold it from bottom by
one-third

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


8.Again Fold it from bottom
by one-third to inside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


9.Finished!
Now let's move on to the
strings(himo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Fold string A and B in four

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


2.Cross string A and B as shown

 

 

 

 

 

 


3.Put crossed string A and B
on string C and D backside
like winding in

 

 

 

 

 

4.Fold string C parallel to
string B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


5.Put string C on string A like winding in
as shown also similarly Put string D on
string B

 

 

 

 

 

6.Fold remainders of strings
in two

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


7.Get the folded strings into looped string
D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


8.Let the folded strings D into looped
string C similarly

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.Pull the end of every strings to lay out

 

 

 

10. your done time to stuff it in your gym bag!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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