Hakama form part of formal Japanese dress and are worn by men at more formal gatherings. Descending from warrior formal dress, they are particularly valued at high-ranking occasions and serve as a way of reading how formal a gathering is from what people are wearing. Dressing appropriately is itself treated as a form of etiquette showing respect for the occasion and the host.
History
Hakama were widely used as the formal dress of warrior society, and that tradition extended into tea practice, where they were established as formal wear for more serious occasions. Schools descending from the warrior-class lineages tend to weight them more heavily. Form and manner of wearing varied by period and status.
What a guest actually needs
Most lessons and open gatherings do not require kimono at all, let alone hakama. Clean clothing that permits kneeling and fresh white socks are the practical requirements. Hakama become relevant at formal full gatherings, and a teacher will say so in advance rather than leaving a student to guess.
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
Term info
- Category
- Term
Related terms
- Chado (The Way of Tea)chado
The Japanese practice of preparing and serving powdered green tea, treated as a lifelong discipline rather than a beverage ritual.
- Wabiwabi
Finding sufficiency of mind within insufficiency and plainness; one of the root concepts of tea practice.
- Ichigo ichie (one time, one meeting)ichigo ichie
The principle that every gathering is unrepeatable, and should therefore be treated as if it will never occur again.
- Kaisho (assembly room)kaisho
A large room built for gatherings with many guests; used in contrast with the small and large tea rooms.
- Zarei (seated bow)zarei
The bow made from a kneeling position; the basis of both guest and host etiquette.
- Kosodekosode
The small-sleeved garment of the Muromachi to Edo periods, ancestor of the modern kimono and source of utensil textile patterns.
- Chaki (tea containers, collectively)chaki
The general term for vessels holding matcha, divided into thin-tea containers and thick-tea jars.