Hakama is part of the samurai's clothing. In the past, when samurai were horsemen, it was part of riding clothing. Finally, the samurai start walking, but continue to wear the hakama to distinguish themselves from other soldiers. Today, in the oldest martial arts styles in Japan - kobudo, practicing hakama, a symbol of the samurai caste, because their standard clothing is part of everyday clothing worn under outer clothing, ie. underwear. In some schools all wear hakama, in others high-ranking self-owners. In the last school, women put hakama in front of men to hide them. Hakama, a tradition left by O'Sensei, can also be used in aikido.

In addition to the hakama symbolizing samurai status, the seven pleats of the hakama (5 front and 2 back) - part of the Japanese beauty break in asymmetry - symbolize the seven virtues of bushido - the Way of the Warrior.