How to Tie a Hakama Knot

Hakama are a traditional type of Japanese clothing. Originally worn by Japanese men and samurai exclusively in ancient times, today hakama are widely worn by both men and women who are practitioners of martial arts such as kendo, iaido, and aikido. Hakama consist of straps (himo) and a rigid piece in the back to keep the hakama in place. It is very important for hakama to be properly secured and tied due to the extreme physical rigors they are put through.

Things You'll Need

• Hakama

Instructions

How to Tie a Hakama Knot

1. 

   Hold the front of your hakama by the straps (himo) and step in, right leg first, then left leg. The hakama should be level with the bellybutton, or higher if need be, because the hem should be at the ankle. Your feet should be away from the hem, so make sure your pants hang no lower than the ankle.

2. 

   Bring the straps (himo) around the back and cross over one another on each side. Make sure to pull the straps tightly.

3. 

   Bring the straps around to the front.

4. 

   Criss-cross the straps in the front, at least one inch below the top of the hakama.

5. 

   Tie a standard half knot (one strap over the other) with straps in the front.

6. 

   Take the loose ends of the straps around to the back. This is to prepare for doing two half knots.

7. 

   The first half knot--take one loose end of a strap and run it behind the "belt" that you created from the previous tying/wrapping of the straps.

8. 

   The second half knot--using the end of the other strap, tie a half knot on top of the entire configuration.

9. 

   Your knot needs to be centered and include all three layers of the straps. This is to make sure it is very secure. The loose ends of the straps should be dangling.

10. 

    If your hakama have a small plastic tongue, use this to line up the back part with the front straps. Slide the plastic tongue behind the knot.

11. 

    The plastic tongue can be used to hold the back section of the hakama in place.

12. 

    Hold the back straps level with the "belt" that you made by the front straps. The back plate of the hakama should be placed facing straight up.

13. 

    Bring the back straps to the front of the hakama.

14. 

    Make a half knot over the criss-cross of the front straps that you did in previous steps.

15. 

    Ensure that you thread the loose end of the one of the straps behind the "belt" you made with the front straps.

16. 

    Pull the straps tight.

17. 

    Tie a second half knot over the first knot. Make sure that the front straps are between the two half knots.

18. 

    Pull your gi flat in the back. Do this by pulling on both sides simultaneously.

19. 

    Tuck the loose ends of the straps. You can tuck them in the back, behind the back plate, or inside the "belt" created by the straps.

20. 

    The straps should create a single strip of fabric and resemble a belt. There should be no gap between all the layers of the straps. The gi should not be visible through the layers of the straps (himo).

21. 

    This is what your completed hakama knot should look like. Now you're ready for the dojo!