Hakama

[John W]

Hello,
I have recently purchased a new hakama and I am seeking advice as to how to wash it for the first time. I have been told that you simply add lots of salt to cold water and let it sit for a while. Is this correct?

Thanks for any insights.

[Hyaku]

Soak it in water with half a cup of vinegar if its aizome (indigo dye)

Hyakutake Colin

[richard haly]

I read on the web (www.e-bogu.com????) that the hakama should remain folded though not in thirds but laid out with pleats correctly folded. Use cold water and vinegar, let it soak and repeat. Then rinse gently with cold water. Don't mess up the pleats or you'll have a lot of fun at the ironing board. I did all this and everything worked fine. Don't expect the mordant (the vinegar) to prevent you from being blue after practice. You will be for some months.

Enjoy.

Richard Haly

[gszab]

Hello!

I've got a new indigo dyed hakama and I did the same as Mr. Hyaku and Mr. richard haly said. I was blue after practise for one month and I thint that I am lucky with this time.

All the bests with your new hakama.

[Simon Chien]

Hi John,
Go visit http://www.kendo-usa.org. Clicking on the icon on the bottom of the 1st page ( I believe it's "kendo references and how
to" ). There is detail step-by-step explanation with photos regarding how to wash hakama.

[Hagakure]

Make sure you mantain the pleats. Then soak the Hakama in warm water, perhaps wit some vinegar. I'm not particularly sure if handwashing soap would be appropriate. I used it once and was satified with the results. DO NOT WRING IT OUT. Thats probably the best way to wreck it. Hang it on a clothes line, but not before arranging the pleats once again (even if its wet, hey, it can only help) and hang it out to dry. Once it is dry properly fx any errors in the pleats and neatly fold it.