The hakama is the traditional garment worn by practitioners of kobudo (traditional Japanese martial arts).
The seven pleats of the hakama symbolize the seven virtues of budo, which are:
These qualities were embodied by the samurai of old. The hakama encourages us to reflect the true nature of bushido. Wearing the hakama symbolizes the traditions passed down from generation to generation. Since Aikido stems from the spirit of bushido, we must strive in our practice to cultivate the seven traditional virtues.