I was curious as to the role of Hakama's in Martial Arts. I know that they where worn by the Samurai but are they still used today? Must one achieve a "goal" in order to wear it? Can one freely where a Hakama if they so choose? Just curious. Thanks for the information guys.

Aikido, traditional Jiu Jitsu, and kobudo practitioners are most often seen with them. Whether you can wear one at your dojo or not is up to your instructor. Sometimes it depends on your rank, too.

 

There was another thread on here that dealt with that. Apparently the role was/is to obscure the footwork.

Yes, primarily to hide your footwork

We wear a hakama for Iaido (traditional for a samurai). I have tried to wear it for karate training too, but it tends to get caught up with my feet when i kick

 

But our Sempai sometimes wears hakama in training and on demonstration days. He says it feels good to wear and with practice you can avoid getting tangled up

 

You don't have to be any specific grade or style to wear a hakama, as long as your sensei/instructor doesn't mind. If you fancy giving it a try, why not?

 

A word of warning tho.. it takes ages to iron all the folds!

 

motoko

It is used in koryu bujutsu (old Japanese styles). Licence to wear it depends on the style. In most aikido styles, you get to wear hakama at brown or black belt. In many koryu jujutsu you have to be a black belt, or shoden menkyo to be allowed to wear it. As said, depends on style.

Yes, primarily to hide your footwork

 

Absoulutely so!

 

Well other than strategic reasons, they also display important moral obligations. The seven pleasts in the Hakama represent the Seven Virtues of Budo:

 

Jin Benevolence

 

Gi honour

 

Rei Courtesy

 

Chi Wisdom

 

Shin Sinerity

 

Chu Loyalty

 

Koh Piety