How to prepare new Hakama?

[Theta]

Ok so I got my first shoaizome hakama, and I'm curious what to do in preparation for wearing it for the first time.

I've read all the threads on folding, storing, cleaning, but did everyone pre-wash or pre-treat their hakama before first wearing it?

Thanks for your responses in advance.

[A-yu]

Is you new hakama 100% cotton dyed? if so.....
To set the color of your hhakama, Use a large tub or bucket. Fill the bucket with cold water, and mix in some white vinegar. Put the hakama into the water/vinegar and allow it to soak overnight. the next day drain the water/vinegar and rinse it couple times with cold water and drip dry it.

But if its tetron hakama its all sweet

Hope this helps.......................I'm sure there are many thread here about this.

[Taek]

If you haven't worn your hakama yet and still have threads attatched (holding all the pleats together), it is easier to wash it if don't remove those threads. While you soak it in the vinegar or salt water, make sure you keep the shape and rinse it carefully so you don't loose the pleats. Rinsing process can be quite painful as the material gets heavy with water and indigo colour will stain everywhere. I put my hakama folded nicely in one of those mash washing bag and rinse it in the washing machine and I've never lost shape and pleate of my hakama.

[dr-spiff]

See:
www.kendo-usa.org/reference/hakama_wash.htm

[Mikeyprime]

What are the reprucussions of NOT setting the dye. In other words, What if I just wear it and let it turn my skin blue for a good 1-2 months? Does this make it bleed more dye than if i set the dye before wearing it?

What are the benefits of setting the dye as opposed to having it bleed out over normal wear?

[grasshopper_r2]

?? I guess you will bleed blue for a very long time. My ebogu 10000 has been set twice, washed 3 times and still tuns the water almost black with dye. However, the staining on my keikogi has decreased. Also, I cant tell that there has been any significant fading of the blue. As posted before leave the strings on the hakama as you go through the set process it helps make things a lot easier. Good luck, welcome to smurfdom.

[Mikeyprime]

?? I guess you will bleed blue for a very long time. My ebogu 10000 has been set twice, washed 3 times and still tuns the water almost black with dye. However, the staining on my keikogi has decreased. Also, I cant tell that there has been any significant fading of the blue. As posted before leave the strings on the hakama as you go through the set process it helps make things a lot easier. Good luck, welcome to smurfdom.
Thats the thing, I dont mind the smurfing. I bought a bushu shoaizome hakama or the equivalent, they have changed thier brands since then) from ebogu 5 years ago and that rarely bled. All my previous hakama never realy bled al that much either. I bought a new bushu shoaizome this week and havent worn it, im debating on setting it or not. If its like my last hakamas, especially from ebogu it shouldnt really matter, but I have no clue. It was the keikogi that always gives me problems. Im going to wear it tonight without setting it and see just how much it bleeds.

[Andoru]

If you don't set the dye, the hakama will lose its colour quicker, everything else being constant.

[DCPan]

If you don't set the dye, the hakama will lose its colour quicker, everything else being constant.

I remember my first set of gi and hakama. It was the brand "Fuji-Daruma" by Anshin.

I didn't know the dye has to be set...so the set faded to look like "white-washed" jeans really quickly.

While visiting a dojo, the sensei asked me, "What dan are you?" because the set is so faded. When I told him mu-kyu, he laughed at my "supposed" modesty.

You should have heard him roar at keiko when he figured out the gi looked old and worn because I didn't set the dye.

FWIW.

[Mikeyprime]

.

I didn't know the dye has to be set...so the set faded to look like "white-washed" jeans really quickly.


As that style was NEVER acceptable, I think I will set the dye and stop being lazy.

[DCPan]

As that style was NEVER acceptable, I think I will set the dye and stop being lazy.

Whats with this never stuff? :wink:

I actually like the faded look...faded look from practice and use though...not the faded look from not setting the dye.

[Mikeyprime]

Whats with this never stuff? :wink:

I actually like the faded look...faded look from practice and use though...not the faded look from not setting the dye.
Im talking about stonewashed jeans. Faded gi and hakama are fine, but stonewashed jeans? Might as well start wearing reebok high tops again and peg my pants.

[grasshopper_r2]

Im talking about stonewashed jeans. Faded gi and hakama are fine, but stonewashed jeans? Might as well start wearing reebok high tops again and peg my pants.
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