How I Put on my Iaido Uniform with Tips for Lady Iaidoka

[@iai_dude7299]

I'm into Iaido for about 10 years now and watching you dressing showed me, how sloppy i became myself. Thanks for reminding me, that dressing for iaido is part of the training! And thanks for this interesting way of tying the Obi!

[@DroppedTales]

You’re welcome! I’m always noticing how others dress and slowly but surely try out new things to see if they work for me.

[@vaffanculogification]

As a man, I still found this very insightful and you’ve done a terrific job at explaining and providing close up shots to clarify!🎉

[@DroppedTales]

Glad I could help. :D

[@almontecovington5820]

This was indeed interesting. There are considerations ladies have that guys do not. I hope more ladies share; and more guys understand there is a difference. You get to the same place with a different path. In case you are wondering I am male. I work with a lot of ladies with a Dojo over 50% female membership. We have an ongoing project to work on some of these differences without “losing” the essence of the Arts.

[@DroppedTales]

Thank you very much. :D To be honest, it isn’t really different from men. Men who put on formal wafuku for weddings and other big events have to pad their waists as well as women. BUT it is much easier for men to go without the padding unless they’re really thin or have a lot of lean muscle. ✨

[@doraim4585]

Thankyou for this. I've just started to get into Iaido after doing an experience while in Japan couple months ago. Seeing this will be a massive help learning how to put everything on myself without the help of the sensei doing most of it for me.

[@DroppedTales]

I’m glad you had a good time in Japan and I’m glad the video helped!

[@EnigmaDave]

It was interesting to see how most of the items tied onto or behind the Obi. Even the Obi was tied to itself rather than using an obidome and perhaps an obijime as is done with Kimono. Some items had built-in tabs that went behind the obi to help secure everything together as a foundation for much of what's worn.

[@DroppedTales]

Observant as always. ⭐️ Yes, the kakuobi is a key point for men’s kimono. When I use my iaito for iaido, the scabbard is stuck in the obi. So it’s really troublesome when the obi moves around.

[@msarilyn7677]

Yeah, that's why a Soto Obi is normally worn around the waist.

[@shinmentakezo9336]

Where do you buy montsuki ?

[@DroppedTales]

Tozando is one shop you can get them from. tozandoshop.com/products/embu-uniform-set-heian-tailors-dogi-stiped-hakama?variant=34836704526469

[@shinmentakezo9336]

@@DroppedTales thank you 🇻🇳🥰🥰🥰

[@PhucTran-gm3uw]

obi belt size

[@MsMarialiu]

Tomorrow I'm going to wear my iaido uniform (have been using sweatpants and t-shirt in the dojo) for the first time, I'm a beginner att iai so this is very helpful. Extra thanks for the tips regarding how to make it sit well for a female.

[@DroppedTales]

Awesome!! I’m glad I could help you out. I hope you enjoy your first practice in your iaido uninformed. ⭐️

[@MsMarialiu]

@@DroppedTales I must admit you get better posture because of the hakama (I guess it's the backplate) but my mae made me think about the fabric. And I will be get a new obi mine is a bit to stiff. Thank you once again in covid times we are told to come ready to the dojo so I had never seen anyone get dressed before.

[@DroppedTales]

@@MsMarialiu It definitely takes a while to get used to moving in all that fabric. Keep it up and you’ll definitely improve.

[@juilescieg]

You helped me so much. I really have problems with the obi. It never stays in place. I hope, it will get better with your tips.

[@DroppedTales]

I'm glad I could help. :D

[@JediasHertz]

Why to use the Obi and put the sword on it if you can put the sword on hakama's 'belt'? Theres some purpose to it besides tradition?

[@DroppedTales]

The hakama himo aren’t not a belt at all, but nearly tied and are very thin and not very structured, so they aren’t ideal for holding a sword at your hip. In addition to holding your keikogi in place, obi are wider and, being made of thicker woven fabric, much sturdier than hakama himo.

[@JediasHertz]

@@DroppedTales Got it! Thanks a lot!

[@experimentalmodel7172]

My katana sheath and obi make squeaky noises every time I make sayabiki. I've tried tightening and loosening my obi but still squeaks... Have you ever experienced this issue?

[@DroppedTales]

I think I did a loooong time ago. Is your obi new?

[@experimentalmodel7172]

Bought 2 obis (cotton - 2 yrs ago & polyester - 1 yr ago). I've been using polyester one for the past year because it's easy to wash. Yesterday I tried cotton one for the first time in a year and it didn't make much noise, so it's probably polyester that causes the squeaking noise.

[@DroppedTales]

Problem solved. I tried a polyester obi once and it didn’t squeak, but it definitely made noise. Now i stick to cotton or silk.

[@arizaldimas1718]

Are those kamons printed or embroideried?

[@DroppedTales]

The ones on most of my montsuki are embroiled.

[@Applebanger]

This is very helpful and inspiring! I'm female with a very small waist and had heard about using a towel, but didn't know how to actually put it on - until now. The magic belt, is it something you can buy at a budo shop? I haven't seen it anywere (online) in Europe. I'm so grateful there are experienced practitioners like you who share their knowledge on yt

[@DroppedTales]

The magic belt is I regular kimono-dressing item. You can get it off of Amazon.jp and various kimono-related shops

[@susanroberts7492]

So helpful! I just started iaido this year and am still perfecting putting it all together! I am tall and thin, so my obi tends to ride and slide some affecting my sayabiki. I only wear the standard black uniform without the extras you wear underneath your keikogi. Now I know WHY things tend to " move around" a bit during practice! My Sensei prefers to have the hakama lower on the hips as well, and level with the obi rather than above it. Since I am long and rather high waisted it is an adjustment for me to have my hakama sit on my hips. Thanks for your demo. It opened my eyes and helps me understand the issues I have. I love learning iaido and the cultural immersion. Your uniform is stunning! I hope you will have some more tips and info in the future! (I practice the jikiden style also.)

[@DroppedTales]

I’m so glad I could help!! It can be really frustrating when your clothes aren’t doing what they should be doing for everyone else. I hope you enjoy learning iaido. :D

[@MS-xo6cq]

Thank you. It was very useful. 🙏🙏🙏

[@DroppedTales]

Awesome! I’m glad it helped!

[@那須与一-d1c]

博多献上織の帯は独鈷柄が上です。上下逆ですよ。

[@DroppedTales]

いろいろが聞いたことあります。多くのこの辺の居合道家が逆にしますから私もしてしまいます。袴の紐のしたで柄が見えるから。

[@那須与一-d1c]

@@DroppedTales 真の侍はお洒落の為に帯を袴から少し見せたり柄を見せたりしません。無駄だからです。

[@DroppedTales]

@@那須与一-d1c ですね

[@omegatauri1048]

Thank you very much for this video!

[@DroppedTales]

You’re very welcome. ✨

[@Nurelius]

Great stuff! I've also been studying iai since 2003 and always enjoy seeing how others do things :-) Keep up the good work!

[@DroppedTales]

Cool, I started the same year. There’s always so much to learn from others. I think that’s one reason why iaido is always interesting.

[@Nurelius]

@@DroppedTales Couldn't agree more :-D

[@Filipegirao]

Very pretty much didactic. Thx.

[@DroppedTales]

Glad I could help you out

[@gyakuto7775]

Very nice and so neat and tidy. You must get very hot in the summer with that towel in place!

[@DroppedTales]

I think I mentioned it in the video, but in the summer, I prioritize staying cool over tidy clothes. Adjusting my clothes all the time is annoying, but it is crazy hot. I'm glad we don't have any taikai in July or August...

[@gyakuto7775]

@@DroppedTales I often wonder how the Japanese ‘well-heeled’ coped ‘BA/C’ (before air conditioning) especially with all the layered clothing!

[@lixp7280]

is it necessary to wear pants under the hakama?

[@DroppedTales]

It’s not necessary. I usually just wear biker shorts; I only wore the longer white pants for the video. It helps prevent wedgies and the tiny chance of flashing anyone.

[@lixp7280]

@@DroppedTales Thanks!

[@williamtreat7334]

Summer practice in Okinawa, 😮 very hot, you will get dizzy while training 😅

[@DroppedTales]

Hahaha, it’s cute that you think I wear all these layers during the summer. XD

[@lixp7280]

thanks for this!

[@DroppedTales]

I’m glad you liked it. ✨

[@jonandresen1483]

Much appreciated!

[@DroppedTales]

Thanks! I hope it was helpful.

[@nickvids1000]

Want to start practicing! What's a good site to find a uniform?

[@DroppedTales]

Tozando is a good place to get basics.