Uniform

The Uniform required for completion of this

foundation program is the No2 uniform of
the school and a set of wooden training
swords. These are relatively easy to
acquire with most items being sold at
general martial arts suppliers.
This uniform is our basic training wear for
indoors and Dojo type environment. It is
recommended that you buy clothing that is
strong enough and suited to your
individual training regime.

Black Hakama - a basic pleated hakama,

these can usually be bought through any
martial arts shops which supply Iaido,
Aikido, and Kendo type of training gear.
Black Obi - this must be plain black only,
and not the modern karate type belt but
the type used in arts such as Iaido.
Black Dogi - this can be any karate or Iaido type Gi in black colour. (Dogi Not
Kimono)
Black Indoor Tabi - indoor type with the 4 hook style fastening at the back is usual.
(Not rubber soled). White is acceptable to start with if black cannot be found.
Gold Zekken - a gold kanji embroidered Natori patch for the left breast. These are
available from the organization.
School Tenugui - a white tenugui with Natori crest. These are avail from the org.
Folding Fan - a white folding fan should also be acquired but not essential at this
time.
Uniform - Swords.
1- To begin with, Natori-Ryu recommend wooden training swords - Bokken and
Kodachi rather than steel training weapons. As such, for the foundation course you
are required to have a wooden longsword - Bokken, and a wooden short sword
either Kodachi or Tanto size. A plastic scabbard - Saya is useful for training also but
not essential.
*note that when we say swords in this document we mean wooden training
weapons, but applies to steel swords also when training with those in future.
2 - In the training area or Dojo, long swords should not be worn unless specifically
participating in a technique or training activity, they should be carried in hand or set
aside. Short swords should be worn at all times unless asked to remove them.
3 - Swords stored to the side should all be placed together in a designated area. All
swords should be marked up with the students membership number as per the
school method. This is using an embossed gold sticker placed on the side of the
weapon a little way down from the hilt.
4 - Wearing 2 swords. The swords are to be worn on the left with the short sword
slipped through the inner most fold of the obi and positioned a little towards the front
and across the body. The long sword should be slipped between the outermost fold
of the obi, and positioned further around to the side. (Shown in illustrations).

5- Articles of text recommended for reading are-

· Wakazashi Kakugo no koto

· Daisho Anchu Funran Sezu no narai

· Hito wo Kiru Tenoura no koto

· Monko Kokyo no koto

Obi
The Obi for Natori-Ryu is plain black only. There are many ways to tie the Obi, and
the choice of how you fasten yours is down to your own preference. However, the
Obi should wrap around your waist 3 times so that the swords can be positioned
correctly, there are companies which sell longer ones if you require it, and it just
needs a little looking around to find or ask one of the current members or on the hub.
Below is a usual standard for tying the Obi, there are numerous clips on you tube
and Google which can help you, or you can ask a current member to help you if you
are unsure.
Wearing two swords
They should be inserted through
the Obi and seated correctly. The
Obi should wrap around your waist
creating 3 layers, it should be firm
and not allow the swords to just
slip around.
The short sword should be inserted
through the inner most layer
closest to the body as in the first
illustration. The short sword is
positioned to the front left and
sticking out across your front.
The long sword should be inserted
between the outermost layers of
the Obi, it should be further around
to the left and angled only slightly
across to the front.
The ends of both swords come out
under the Obi and stick out from
the Hakama via the side vent.
Wearing the Hakama
Step into the legs of Hakama, hold the himo-straps of the front side only.
Pull the front up and into position at your stomach, take the himo around to your rear
at the top of your Obi, cross them over and bring back around to the front.
When bringing to the front, take the himo down below the Obi.
Cross over in the center at the front by making a twist with the two himo before
continuing around to the back again.
Tie the Himo in a normal bow at the centre of the
back just below the Obi.

We see by the red arrows on the picture to the left

the route taken by the front straps of the hakama.

In the image to the right we see the twist

made to the front where the himo cross in
the center, this is in a position right below
the obi.
For the back part, lift the koshiita – back panel up to
the centre of your back, and slide the plastic tab down
inside the obi and (front) himo from above.
Take the two himo from the rear and bring around to
the front to the bottom of the obi where the front himo
were twisted in the center.
Twist the rear himo just the same, but this time also
tuck one strap under the previous twist.
Now finish the tie by turning the twist into a square
knot/reef knot.
This will also have the twist from the front himo
encompassed within so that both the front and rear
straps are bound together.
The loose ends can now be taken to the sides and
tucked
in, or
they can
be wrapped in several ways to make
a tidy knot or bow.

To the left shows the square knot/

reef knot, this is how to tie off the
hakama to the front.

The hakama takes a little time to get

used to wearing and tying so that it
sits right and secure. To start with it is
common for it to loosen when training,
but with time it should settle into
place.
Here is the plastic tab which you push
down over the top of the obi to hold
the koshiita in place on your lower
back.