It is said that the secret to aikido is in its footwork. To conceal their movements from opponents, people began to wear hakama. In practicing aikido, it is very important to choose a high-quality hakama designed specifically with aikido practice in mind - something that Tozando prides itself on providing.
Since sewing techniques and materials significantly affect the feeling of a hakama when you wear it, it is essential to select durable materials that are sewn firmly and made well.
Tozando's aikido hakama is tailored by skilled Japanese craftsmen in our own workshop in Kyoto near Heian Jingu Shrine.
Our sewing is not simple work but is actually uses carefully devloped techniques, original to Tozando, that combine the best features of the cloth and characteristics of the thread. When Tozando initially introduced aikido hakama, our hakama was rare at the time because it used seven lateral belt stitches from end to end to tighten the obi firmly around the waist.
The back plate(koshi ita), is hand-stitched with durable but soft special rubber to absorb the impact from violent ukemi. In addition, Tozando introduced the hida stitch to our aikido hakama for the first time. This ensures that the folds of the hakama will not open even when making large movements during practice.
Tozando Nishijin Workshop
The Tozando Nishijin workshop in Kyoto is where Tozando makes most of our Gi & Hakama. The tailors have many years of experience, not only in making traditional Hakama and Gi, but also Hakama and Gi for Kendo, Aikido and Iaido. Using traditional craftsmanship, while at the same time adapting to the times by using the latest materials and techniques, they painstakingly make each Hakama by hand.
Our tailors are present in the whole process from choosing the fabrics to making the Hakama and finally the finishing touches, before handing it over to our distribution center, so that they can have full control over the whole production and ensure that each product is acceptable according to their quality standards. This is why they also are very flexible and can swiftly take care of tailor-made orders and special requests which no other manufacturer can take care of. Blending tradition with science, they put their utmost efforts into bringing the highest quality products to you, our customers, directly from Kyoto in Japan
