Uniform

Your kendogi and hakama are what you wear for every keiko, so they should move with you, breathe, and hold their shape wash after wash.

We design and produce our own kendo gi and hakama, in both easy-care quick-dry fabric and traditional aizome (indigo-dyed) cotton. Buy a gi and hakama as separates, take the synthetic set, or have a single-layer cotton dogi fitted to your height and weight. Not sure on size or fabric? Send us your measurements for free sizing help, or collect by appointment and try things on in Sydney. Scroll down for our full guide to choosing fabric, fit and pleats.

How to choose your kendogi & hakama

A kendogi (the jacket) and hakama (the pleated trousers) are what you live in through every keiko, so they come down to two things: the right fabric for how and where you train, and the right fit. We make both in an easy-care quick-dry fabric and in traditional indigo-dyed cotton — here's how to pick between them, and how to land the size.

1. Fabric: easy-care or traditional cotton?

This is the first decision, and most of our range splits along it. Neither is "better" — they suit different stages and climates.

  • Easy-care & quick-drying. Light and breathable, fast to dry, with pleats pressed in so they stay defined with next to no upkeep — a forgiving first uniform and an easy pick for back-to-back sessions in a Sydney summer. → 和 Wa Dogi (high breathability, quick-drying), 和 Wa Hakama (very light, permanent front pleats), Deluxe Synthetic Set (synthetic, soft-mesh lining, dries very quickly)
  • Traditional aizome cotton. The classic choice: a cotton dogi dyed with aizome (traditional indigo) that fades over time into a nice, mellow blue. It asks for more care, and is suited to all-purpose keiko — especially for dan-grade kendoka. → Premium Cotton Dogi (Single Layer)

2. "Single layer" on the cotton dogi — what it means

Our cotton dogi is single-layer (hitoe). The cloth is woven on a single level, which makes it lighter and cooler than a double-layer (futae) gi — where the threads are woven on two levels for a thicker, warmer, more hard-wearing jacket. Single-layer suits all-purpose training and warmer conditions. Like all aizome cotton it bleeds indigo at first and shrinks a little with washing, which is why we fit it to your height and weight rather than off a shelf (see sizing below).

3. Getting the size right

The gi and the hakama are sized differently, and worn together so the gi sits cleanly inside the hakama:

  • Kendogi — by your height. Our quick-dry Wa Dogi is labelled straight in centimetres (150–195), so you pick your height and you're done. The cotton dogi is made to measure from your height and weight — send us both and we'll match the size.
  • Hakama — by length. Hakama sizes (ours run 22–30) are a length measurement: stand straight and measure from the top of your hip bone down to just above your outer ankle bone, where the hem should sit. Worn a touch lower on the waist for men and higher for women, so the same height can take a different size. One thing to know: cotton hakama shrink 1–2cm with washing, so if you go cotton, size up by one.
This is where buying locally helps. We're kendo people in Sydney — send us your height, weight and a hakama length and we'll confirm your size before anything's made, or collect by appointment and try things on in person. For the cotton dogi and the synthetic set, we lock your size in and confirm the delivery date before you pay — no guessing across a size chart from overseas.

4. The pleats — and why they don't fade out

A hakama has seven pleats: five at the front, two at the back. They're traditionally read as the virtues a kendoka carries — benevolence, justice, courtesy, wisdom, sincerity, loyalty and respect — which is part of why a crisp, well-defined front is something players care about. On our Wa Hakama the five front pleats are pressed in permanently, so they stay sharp without ironing — one less thing to maintain between sessions. On cotton, the pleats are set by careful folding after each wash (see care below).

Our range at a glance

Item Fabric Best for From
和 Wa Dogi Breathable, quick-drying Everyday keiko · low upkeep · sized by height $58
和 Wa Hakama Very light Light, permanent front pleats, no ironing $58
Deluxe Synthetic Set Synthetic, quick-drying Gi + hakama together · soft-mesh, fast-drying $129
Premium Cotton Dogi Single-layer aizome cotton All-purpose · dan-grade · made to measure $125

Buy the Wa Dogi and Wa Hakama as separates to mix sizes, or take the Deluxe Synthetic Set as a matched pair.

Sold out doesn't mean unavailable. When the cotton dogi or the synthetic set shows as out of stock, you can still order it — we restock gi and hakama regularly, confirm the delivery date up front, and you choose delivery by sea or faster by air. Tell us your level and measurements and we'll set you up — message us.

Caring for your gi & hakama

How you wash it depends on the fabric. The quick-dry pieces are easy; the cotton needs a gentler hand at first, then settles in.

Quick-dry pieces

  • Wash cool and gentle, then hang to dry in the shade — it's dry again fast and the colour holds.
  • The pleats are pressed in, so no ironing. Hang the hakama by the himo (ties) and they keep their shape.

Aizome cotton

  • Wash it on its own, in cold water, with a gentle pH-neutral detergent. The indigo bleeds heavily at first and will mark anything washed with it.
  • Never bleach, and keep it out of hot water and the dryer — heat sets stains and fades the indigo. Dry flat or hung in the shade, away from direct sun.
  • The bleeding eases after the first few weeks of training, and the colour slowly mellows into that prized faded blue. Expect a little shrinkage early on — that's why we size up.
  • Fold the hakama along its pleats after each wash to keep the front lines crisp.
Not sure which to start with? Tell us your height, weight and how often you train, and we'll point you to the right fabric and size — message us.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about sizing, pickup, shipping and payment — message us if you can't find what you need.

What measurements do I need to provide for a custom Bogu set to fit correctly?

To guarantee an accurate fit, we ask for:

Dō and uniforms: height, weight, waist circumference, hip-to-ankle length.
Kote: palm length, palm circumference.
Men: jawline-around-head, forehead circumference, chin-to-eye measurement.

Because every set is made to your measurements, this also covers smaller or leaner builds — for example, a child who's still small and thin — the fit is based on their actual body, not a standard size chart.

Can I pick up my order in person, and where are you located?

Yes, local pickup is available at our Pyrmont location (1-29 Bunn Street, Pyrmont) until the end of September 2026. Please coordinate a date and time with us in advance so we can have your items ready and book visitor parking if you're driving.

From October 2026, pickup moves to 24-36 Pacific Highway, Wahroonga.

What are your shipping options, and how long does delivery take?

Custom-made Bogu is produced after we receive your measurements — production takes 7–10 business days in off-peak periods, or up to 10–20 business days during peak season (March–May). If ready-stocked Bogu works for you instead, we can dispatch within 4 business days.

Once dispatched, our default shipping method is Sea Freight (about 30–45 days), which is typically included in the price. Need it sooner? You can upgrade to Express Air Shipping (7–10 business days) for an additional fee.

Can I customize or remove individual items from a Bogu package deal?

Yes — you can upgrade specific components (such as upgrading the Men or Kote to premium versions), or remove items you don't need (like a shinai bag or backpack), for an adjusted invoice price.

What's your cancellation and refund policy for pre-order Bogu?

The refund window is based on your order date and shipping method. For Sea Freight orders, cancel within 7 days of placing your order for a full refund; after that, cancellations receive a 50% refund. For Air Freight orders, the full-refund window is 3 days from your order date; after that, it's also 50%.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept direct bank transfer, Xero invoice, WeChat Pay or Alipay (for RMB deposits), and credit card (including AMEX) via secure Shopify invoices, or cash for in-person pickup.

What happens if my shipment faces international port or customs delays?

International shipping can occasionally face unforeseen delays due to customs inspections or public holidays. We actively monitor all shipments and provide tracking links. For significant delays, we'll keep you updated and may offer interim gear or a small complimentary gift as thanks for your patience.