How long should I practice before wearing Hakama?

by Haakon
(Sweden)

How long should I practice before wearing Hakama? I just started practicing kendo, my sense said that I should not wear the hakama first because he needs to fix my posture and footwork. With these in mind, how long should I practice before wearing Hakama?


Answer Your sensei is giving you great advice! In many dojos, beginners start with just a t-shirt and sweatpants or similar attire before wearing a keikogi and hakama. In my case, I want them to be sure that kendo is something they want to commit themselves to. So, I will give them one month trial.

So, how long should you wait?

It depends on your progress and your sensei’s teaching style, but generally:

• 1 to 3 months: If you train regularly and show good improvement in footwork and posture, you may be allowed to wear keikogi and hakama sooner.

Trust your sensei’s guidance, and when the time comes, you’ll wear your keikogi and hakama with confidence and proper form. Keep training and enjoy the process! 😊

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