Hakama choices...

[KendokaJim]

Hey guys, I've decided to by myself a new cotton hakama if I pass my upcoming promotion test. Now, I've found two in my price range, but I wanted some opinions. there's a chemical dyed 7,000 hakama from bogubag.com, and it costs $75 with shipping. But Kendoshop has an indigo dyed 10,000 hakama for $81.16 including shipping... which one do you think I'd be better off with?

[Paikea]

I've had very good experience with Bogubag - it's Robert Stroud Sensei's company, and he's our head Sensei at Obukan, so I'm not exactly unbiased. The gear he sells is primarily Koei (Japan) and judging from other postings here he has an excellent customer service reputation. Besides that 10,000 Indigo hakama will earn you a "Rich-boy Showoff" moniker from Hai-Hai. :eek:

[enkorat]

I had to rush order a keikogi from Stroud-sensei (the result of an unfortunate accident at the laundry mat), and I am very pleased at the quality of the Koei (cotton) keikogi, and the service was top notch. Just a small point though, although Koei is a Japanese company the acutal keikogi has a 'Made in China' tag.

The 'Chemical dyed' process is a touch lighter than an indigo dyed item (I still have whats left of my origianl keikogi), but other than that its great.

I haven't seen a Koei hakama though. I imagine the dyeing process is roughly equivalent. There may be a difference in the construction materials, either a synthetic product or cotton, so that may explain the price differential.

Cheers

[KendokaJim]

Actually I bought a set of Koei bogu from Stroud-sensei in late April. I like that the synthetic dye holds its color and won't rub off on me... but the 10,00 won't make me a rich-boy showoff, seeing as it's only $80. I guess I'll just be showoff then!

[Catherine]

I would say - go the indigo dyed hakama. The fabric will be stiffer and I like the way the colour wears in an indigo dye hakama. Yes the dye will come off on you, but that is part of the fun. Also, I like the smell of the indigo dye.

Catherine