Hakama

About

Hakama — Traditional Japanese Pants for Men and Women Our hakama collection brings together traditional Japanese pleated trousers for both men and women, offered in a range of colorways and fits suited to ceremonial wear, martial arts practice, Japanese-inspired everyday styling, and costume events. Every hakama in the range honors the classic seven-pleat construction — five pleats at the front, two at the back — that has defined this garment across centuries of Japanese history. From deep blacks and formal whites to softer creams, muted navies, and accent shades like pink and cream, the collection covers both the solemn ceremonial tradition and the more relaxed modern reinterpretations of this iconic Japanese garment. The Hakama: From Samurai Battlefield to Modern Wardrobe The hakama's history stretches back over a thousand years in Japan. Originally developed as horse-riding trousers for samurai warriors during the Heian period (794-1185), the garment evolved through the centuries into the ceremonial attire worn by samurai during court appearances, and later, after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, into a civilian garment worn by students, teachers, and participants in traditional Japanese arts. The distinctive pleated construction allowed freedom of movement during sword training and mounted combat, while the formal draping of the fabric conveyed the social status of the wearer. Today, the hakama remains central to several Japanese traditions. It is the required uniform for kendo, aikido, kyudo (Japanese archery), and iaido practitioners at intermediate and advanced ranks. Shinto priests wear hakama during religious ceremonies, typically in vivid colors — crimson for miko shrine maidens, deep purple for senior priests. University graduates in Japan frequently wear hakama for their graduation ceremonies, a tradition dating back to the late 19th century when women's hakama became a symbol of progressive education. And increasingly, hakama have entered the world of Jap