For training, aikidoka wear a keiko-gi, which is (incorrectly) called a “kimono” in Europe.
Unlike today, when most aikidoka do not wear a hakama until they reach 1st dan, it was once customary for every aikidoka to wear a hakama from the very beginning.
This change dates back to the time of World War II: since fabric was too expensive for many of Morihei Ueshiba’s students at that time, they asked him for permission to participate in classes without wearing a hakama.
The keiko-gi
To train, you wear a keiko-gi. It was designed in the late 19th century by Jigoro Kano (the founder of judo).
Obi (tying the belt)
Here’s how to tie the obi correctly in 6 steps …
The hakama
Masters wear the hakama, a type of skirt-pants, over the keiko-gi.
Within the FNAL, the hakama is worn only starting at 1st dan.
Kyu ranks are indicated by a white belt.
The 7 folds of the hakama
Although there is no specific historical tradition on this subject, the seven folds (five in the front, two in the back) of the aikido hakama are associated with the seven virtues of the samurai as practiced in budo:
Jin – Kindness
Gi – Justice / The right decision
Rei – Courtesy / Etiquette
Chi – Wisdom / Intelligence
Shin – Sincerity
Chugi – Loyalty
Meiyo – Honor / Respect
In many dojos, it is customary for students to practice aikido without a hakama until they earn their first dan or, at least, until they reach one of the higher kyu ranks (student ranks).
Here, no visual distinctions are made to indicate the progression through the Mudansha ranks. Only a few schools or federations have introduced a distinction based on belt color (following the model used in other martial arts, such as judo, etc.).
The color of the hakama didn’t matter either, whereas today, in aikido, people most often wear black or dark blue (indigo blue) hakama.
Wooden Weapons
Aikido training is primarily practiced unarmed, but the bokken, jo, and tanto (training weapons, usually made of wood) play an important role.
They are used because many aikido movements and techniques are derived from weapon techniques—such as those involving the sword or staff—which helps practitioners better understand and internalize the sequences of unarmed movements.
There are also techniques that can only be performed with weapons, such as a staff, a sword, or a knife.
The Jo
A stick 1.27 m (50 inches) long and about 2.2 cm thick, derived from the Bo, which is significantly longer.
The bokken
Also known as a “bokuto,” it is a replica of a samurai sword made of solid wood and used in Japanese martial arts.
The Tanto
A dagger or knife less than 30 cm long, with a slightly curved blade.
In aikido, the jo is used as a learning tool for training purposes.
There are katas – that is, sequences of exercises – developed by various aikido masters, through which the aikidoka can improve their technical skills in handling the jo and, by extension, in unarmed aikido techniques.
The term “bokuto” is composed of the words “boku” (wood) and “to” (sword). “Bokken” is a synonym used almost exclusively outside of Japan.
In aikido, the bokken is used as a training tool to study technique sequences with greater precision.
In the past, the bokken was indeed used as a lethal weapon.
Samurai carried the tanto at their belts.
In aikido, a wooden or rubber replica is generally used to practice knife-defense techniques.
Weapons training in aikido :
- Trains the eye to recognize faster attacking movements,
- Develops a natural sense of distance from your partner,
- Trains the hanmi (the natural basic stance in aikido),
- Strengthens the shoulder and arm muscles,
- Develops stable balance during faster body rotations in all 8 directions
(Freely adapted from Wikipedia)