How to Tie a Kaku Obi for Iaido

This is one of the most common ways to tie a kaku obi. But depending on how thick your waist is and how long your obi is, you may need to adapt your method to your personal needs.
Standard dojo etiquette disclaimer: If your sensei shows you a different way, please follow your sensei's instruction.

[@dars77mercs]

Thanks for the videos. Love your work..

[@MagnusDivision]

Thanks for the video. Clear and concise.

[@kevinleukhardt9560]

Hi Paul, I am a new subscriber to your channel and your videos are truly outstanding. They are to the point, simple and straightforward to understand. I am just beginning to get into Iaido training with my katana and I have been asking and looking everywhere for a channel like yours. Thanks very much for sharing! I am studying everything you are showing and sharing with us.

[@PaulHBShin]

Thanks, Kevin. I'm glad you find them helpful. Best of luck to you on your training.

[@ronin6016]

Great video, excellent instruction and information, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@tidypog3272]

Nice video

[@tokiomitohsaka7770]

I have shortened and stiched a few Velcro straps to my obi so there is no bulge behind (I find it more aesthetic without the slight bulge) and also because it is faster to put it on. My Sensei doesn’t mind it as long as I get the right tightness of the obi and it holds my sword properly. I haven’t used the traditional way to tie an obi for almost 10 years now...

[@zeroa6]

Thank you!!

[@pbr2805]

Excellent!

[@blayral]

I have my own way to tie my obi, simple and as flat as possible. Not as traditionnal as the kainokuchi, but it's very practical.

[@elmurodeyigael1]

Thanks!!

[@gordonhall9943]

that's how I tie it, too.

[@InspirationHouseNetwork]

"😲 Wow! 👏🏽" (-James)

[@peterjanjanin9883]

I must be fat... I'm just not getting that much Obi

[@Handsome_Lonewolf]

Is this suitable for a Kaku obi that isn't thinner at the ends?

[@PaulHBShin]

With a kaku obi that isn't thinner at the ends, you can try tying it without folding over the ends, but then you'll have to see if the length works out. You want the knot to be relatively compact -- without creating loose ends that are too long. There are many different kinds of obi knots, so you can ask your sensei or dojo mates what kind of knot they use.

[@IIISalvaIII]

In iaido. In what position must be positioned the obi respect the umbilicus? Centered, over, other one? Thank you.

[@PaulHBShin]

It depends on your body, but generally speaking the top of the obi will be at about the level of the belly button. This is something you have to figure out for yourself through practice.

[@IIISalvaIII]

Thank you very much, Paul. Thank you for your fast answer and for this great video.

[@whitevultur]

As I am a woman I have to tie the obi higher, and my belly button is a little under the middle of the obi. Because of that I have to tie the hakama higher. Could that affect my form in any way?

[@PaulHBShin]

Women generally wear their hakama higher than men. Shouldn't really affect your form.

[@Anikipipo]

Hi Paul, on which site did you buy this specific blue obi?

[@PaulHBShin]

Anikipipo I got mine through a friend visiting Japan, but you can also get it here. www.ninecircles.co.uk/Clothing/Obi_(Belts)/Iaido_Obi_-_Wool_Reversible.aspx

[@Anikipipo]

Paul Shin Thx !!!

[@abelreyobedencia4364]

What goes first? The Obi or the Hakama?

[@MCShvabo]

Obi

[@jean-louismartin9128]

The obi goes first!

[@erichusayn]

You make it look effortless dude. It does not go that on that well with me and my American sausage fingers,..

[@PaulHBShin]

:)

[@thezehao]

Paul why is the obi so expensive

[@PaulHBShin]

How much is the vendor charging?

[@thezehao]

+Paul Shin 45$

[@PaulHBShin]

That seems reasonable to me, actually. You'll find a wide variety of prices depending on the material and quality.

[@breifne555]

You will find the Obi at real prices directly from Japan in such Ebay shops as this. There's different blues but this is the darker one. www.ebay.com/itm/272203513879 the price with vendors for exactly the same thing varies wildly. Kouun wo inorimasu

[@denisgromovoy5477]

очень странный вариант, впервые такой вижу...

[@SoloKyoto]

You literally cut at the worst possible time at the beginning making this much more confusing for some people than it probably needs to be.

[@STARBLAZERZ]

0l

[@maxridesbikes8466]

Never showed how to wrap it around you

[@brucemoose926]

Paul, can you just do this slower. Slowing down the video distorts your voice.