How to Disrobe Your Shinigami
[SPOILERS for recent manga] [image-heavy] [K+/PG for sexual references] [cross-posted to paperiuni]
As a first note: Read the comments, too! There's lots of valuable discussion to be found there.
Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would have your eyes and ears for a moment. It has recently been brought to my attention that there is a conundrum, only one of many, to many of the relationships in Bleach. For the purposes of this particular treatise, I would focus on IchiRuki, it being my OTP of Choice, but with a little creativity, this can easily be applied to many other pairings.
We have known since the beginning that Ichigo looks mighty fetching in traditional Japanese attire; and now, to the delight of many and aggravation of some, Rukia is also back in black. However, occasions will arise when the steadfast fan, and especially the inspired writer, is faced with a burning question: How do those clothes work? How does one actually get in and out of them? There are heated debates raging on what the components of the shinigami uniform are. In particular, it is a vital question to those of us who have bent their keen minds to pursuing the notion that Our Heroes might, at one point, be compelled to explore the, ah, more carnal aspects of their relationship.
After all, it is much easier to engage in such activities while unclothed. Therefore, for your entertainment and edification, I bring you
How to Disrobe Your Shinigami
A Creative Resource in Ten Steps for the Dirty-Minded. With Background.
This was spurred on, as usual, by raynos and tenebris. This one is all for you, ladies.
Disclaimer: I am an expert on neither Japanese clothing nor history. All information was scoured from Internet resources, Wikipedia, and SCA sites. There may be discrepancies. Please treat this as an amateur study done for fun and the betterment of fandom. Oh, and Bleach isn't mine either.
Quick-and-Dirty Glossary
Bleach
bankai: lit. "full release"; the ultimate stage of a zanpakutou, which harnesses the full spiritual power of the weapon to the use of its wielder
shikai: lit. "initial release"; a state all named zanpakutou are capable of; brings forth the powers of the sword
shinigami: lit. "death god"; spirit entities who guide the souls of the dead into the afterlife and keep watch for evil spirits
zanpakutou lit. "soul cutting sword"; the weapon of a shinigami, and a direct manifestation of their spiritual power
Historical
katana: the general term for the curving, single-edged Japanese sword, upwards of 2' in length; can be wielded either one- or two-handed; forged with a special process of folding and layering the steel
samurai: a member of the elite warrior caste in feudal Japan; also, a soldier of noble birth
Tokugawa/Edo Era: a historical period in Japan, 1603-1867, characterised by strong central rule by a feudal government under a supreme military leader
Real History vs. the Bleachverse
Shihakushou ("dead soul garment", if I am not mistaken -- can someone verify this?) is a term Kubo Tite coined for the black uniform the shinigami wear. It resembles Tokugawa (Edo) era samurai uniforms, but is still clearly a fictional outfit tossed together out of historical elements. This stands to reason, given that Soul Society itself is modelled after historical Japan, with Tokugawa influences being the most prominent, but is not quite the same thing.
The Shihakushou
Before we get to the crux of the matter -- removing the uniform -- we must familiarise ourselves with the parts. Most of them are self-explanatory. A hakama is a hakama, after all. The outer robe causes a spot of trouble, though, since it does not conform to any one Tokugawa-ish garment yours truly would yet have found. The problem is that it has those slits under the arms: the seams are not sewn shut all the way. If someone has a specific term to offer, it will be received with proper credit and much gratitude.
ETA: People with greater insight into the matter have commented here and here. Thank you! You can decipher their clarifications and suggestions as you best see fit. If there are some references to a kosode left in this text, they refer to the outer robe, whose name no one knows.
Superficially, both sexes wear very similar uniforms. We shall get to the minute differences in due time, but first, let us take a look at the basic elements. Rukia will represent manga art, while Ichigo poses for the anime version of the same.
The upper part of the shihakushou consists of two layers, the white shitagi ("under-gi") and the black outer robe, which I previously termed a kosode, but which evidently isn't. The outer robe comes down to some way above the knee; the shitagi is of the same length.
Allow Ichigo to demonstrate what I mean. The function of the shitagi is that of an undershirt; it keeps sweat and dirt from the outer robe, making its maintenance easier. The shitagi is typically a cotton garment, with slightly narrower sleeves and shorter hem. The shitagi is put on first, folded closed with the left flap over the right, and secured with a waist cord tied at the back so the garment stays in place. (Buttons and clasps were rare in traditional Japanese clothes, and there do not appear to be any on the shihakushou shitagi.)
The outer robe goes on next. The method is the same: right arm, left arm, right flap and then the left one on top of it, tie the entire thing with a narrow obi (cloth sash) with the knot at the rear. The right-left sequence is very important: the only time the right flap is closed over the left one is when corpses are dressed for burial. The outer obi must also be secure, since the hakama is essentially fastened to it.
The hakama (pleated skirt-pants), which goes on next, is a whole cauldron of souls of its own. I have found conflicting anecdotes of its origin: it was either developed as a protective garment for cavalry riders, like Western chaps, or then it originated as a cumbersome article for prisoners to wear so their chances of escape would be lessened. Either way, the hakama is a traditional samurai garment and considered advantageous in martial arts, since the flowing pleats serve to conceal one's movements. Shihigami wear divided hakama, although, as you can see above, the division is nearer the bottom of the garment than in trousers.
The hakama has four straps (hakama-himo), two shorter ones on either side of the rear and two longer ones in the front. In the back there is a rigid, board-like section and on the inside of it a toggle with which the hakama is fastened into the obi sash. There are many ways of tying the hakama sashes: you can find detailed instructions here (a jujutsu manner) and here (a rather formal manner resulting in a different knot from the one seen in the shihakushou).
Edit: It is difficult to say for certain whether the white outer sashes seen in the shihakushou are the hakama-himo or a separate obi wrapped over them. Generally, hakama-himo are the colour of the hakama, in this instance, black. On the other hand, the way the white sashes are wrapped is very similar to most fashions of tucking the hakama-himo. For example, they do pass under the stiff section at the rear (koshi-ita), like the straps would. It may be Kubo is applying an artistic twist to traditional fashion.
Lastly, there is the footwear: the white, toed tabi socks and the waraji sandals made of straw. The tabi are most likely made of cotton (momen-tabi) and are a crucial part of formal attire, in addition to protecting the foot. (I am certain no self-respecting shinigami would leave their quarters barefoot, as Ichigo is in the above picture when he rushes to the bridge to rescue Rukia, Ganju and Hanatarou. A terrible faux pas, that.) The waraji sandals have straps that bind them securely to the foot, supporting the ankle and allowing for freedom of movement.
Things of Note
Historically, Shinto shrine maidens were the only women to wear hakama in the Tokugawa period. (As pertains to earlier periods, the Heian court dress of a noblewoman included a hakama, for example.) In the Bleachverse, however, gender equality in Soul Society seems to have evolved to 21st century standards, and thus, we have women as well as men in uniform. Women, however, fasten their hakama at the waist, while men tie theirs slightly lower, at hip height.
This production sketch of Ichigo did not clean up too well, but it illustrates several things nicely: The hakama is indeed divided only a little above the knee, hiding the legs of the wearer. It has slits down the sides to about mid-thigh. This is not so readily apparent in the shinigami uniform, since the kosode showing through the slits is as black as the hakama itself, but can be seen in the picture of Rukia above, for example. The hakama has a little upward fold on her upper leg, just above the sheath of her zanpakutou.
The shihakushou kosode also has slits, but under the arms, not at the shoulders, as seems to be more common in Japanese robe-type clothes. One would imagine they increase mobility and make the kosode cooler to wear, if souls have to worry about such matters in the first place.
There is also the question of those articles of clothing we cannot readily see. The uniform most probably includes the fundoshi, a loin-cloth-like undergarment worn exclusively by men. At its most simple, it is a long piece of fabric folded and twisted into place; illustrated instructions can be found below, in the links after the treatise itself.
Since Bleach is a shounen manga, not much thought is given to female comfort -- that consideration goes into fanservice instead -- but realistically speaking, most of the female shinigami would bind their breasts with firm cotton bandages. Rukia might get off scot-free, but anyone more amply endowed and required to move around as much the average shinigami definitely would not. Food for thought, there.
The Zanpakutou
The soul cutters of the shinigami are, of course, much more than a part of their uniform -- they are the closest allies and most trusted comrades shinigami can have. That aside, let us consider them from a more pragmatic point of view for a moment: as elements of the attire.
Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki will enlighten you on this matter. Aesthetically, zanpakutou in their sealed form bear close resemblance to Japanese katana: they are finely wrought, slightly curving, one-edged, folded-steel swords designed for thrusting and slashing. Cataloguing the myriad forms a shikai -- let alone bankai -- zanpakutou can take would be far, far beyond the scope of this treatise, so I will only discuss the basic, sealed state of the soul cutter.
The following is based on real-world Japanese swords, but seeing how similar the zanpakutou appear, in both appearance and significance (the sword of a samurai was his soul) it seems logical their make would follow the same patterns.
The tsuba (cross-guard) of the zanpakutou are unique; once a shinigami learns the name of their sword, the tsuba takes on a form no other soul cutter bears. The tsuka (hilt) is made of wood, usually magnolia. The two halves of it are glued together around the tang (the spike extending from the blade to form the base of the hilt) of the sword and wrapped with ray-skin. The tsukaito (hilt-thread), made of braided silk, is wrapped over the ray-skin so as to form a logenze pattern. It is both decorative and provides a steady grip. The tsukaito is secured by a collar above the guard and fastened to the end of the hilt with the kashira (pommel-cap). The saya (sheath) is made of lacquered magnolia wood and is typically black in colour.
The entire sword is taken apart for cleaning, polishing and oiling. There is, of course, no indication if zanpakutou require such mundane ministrations, but it would make sense. They can, after all, be right attention-seekers, and the fandom has already run away with all sorts of possibilities they represent.
Down to Business
It has taken us a while to get this far, but, gentle reader, I implore you to be patient. There is no rushing good things, after all. All this is but groundwork, but one only becomes an expert through learning and practice -- at least now, we are past the theory and into the nebulous territories of imagination. I have described the components to you, and illustrated the manner in which they come together; now, all that is left is to deconstruct.
So, you have got your shinigami in position. This may or may not have involved heartbreaking departures, midnight angst, rainstorms, steamy sword hijinks (hi, Ray!), verbal abuse, kicks to the head -- with love, of course -- convenient stumbling right onto the lips of Possible Romantic Interest, or other such devices employed by our creative minds here, but no matter. All we here are concerned with is that you're ready to write something hot enough to scald the eyeballs off your friends, or the community, or the fandom, depending on how high you aim -- but the damn clothes are in the way.
(Mind that this has been written with the IchiRuki 'ship in mind, given my hopeless love affair with the Partnership of the Century, but with a little modification, it will serve you in good stead whatever your 'shipping permutation may be.)
Therefore, urgent action must be taken. The more hasty may begin with tugging robes off shoulders and pulling kosode tails out of the hakama, but the methodical approach is to begin with the footwear. (If the encounter takes place outdoors, this step may be omitted, for the comfort of those concerned.) Once the sandals are unstrapped, one should consider working one's way up, and then in when possible. The shihakushou is a military outfit and designed for active, often rough-and-tumble use; considering this, it is relatively easy to remove as long as one is familiar with all the knotwork.
(Which raises an intriguing question: does Ichigo know how to tie on his hakama, for example? We know he took karate lessons, which would suggest he could work his way through the obi, but the hakama straps are a whole 'nother tangle. When he enters soul form, his uniform is already neatly in place...
This might be an instance where Rukia has the upper hand; as if she needed any more aces up her sleeve.)
However, so that some part of this would be short and sweet, here you are:
(1. Unstrap sandals. Kick/pull them off, depending on whether they are yours or partner's.)
(2. Remove tabi.)
3. Open front bow of hakama. Since the shorter back straps are tied in front, they will fall free.
4. Untuck the toggle at the rear of hakama.
5. Reach into the rear of the hakama, untangle front straps from obi, and pull them free.
6. Open knot in front and pull the front straps free from the rear knot of the obi (they are wrapped a full round around the waist).
7. Hakama will fall open in front. Avoid stumbling on the folds of the hakama. Step out of hakama. Or pull partner free of their hakama and hope you can catch them when they stumble on the folds.
8. Untie kosode obi. Knot is in the back.
9. Untie shitagi obi. Knot is in the back.
10. a) Do not stop to properly unwrap fundoshi. Presumably would be an unnecessary time waster. Just get it out of the way.
10. b) Author is left to wonder if breast bindings would cause as great stress as bra straps may to possible male participants. It is suggested Ichigo not be allowed to use Zangetsu to overcome this obstacle.
Other Pointers: All this should be interspersed and accompanied with appropriate amounts of making out, more creative verbal abuse -- with all due love, once again -- sweet mistakes, embarrassment, especially if writing first-time-ish stuff, in which, in the undying words of Ten, humour is a requirement. Heck, involve the zanpakutou, and I don't mean in a pointy-parts-first manner. Play with ideas, vary the order (even with the hakama parts! :D), make this yours. I just wrote this as part humorous, part honestly helpful fandom resource: put it to good use!
For all that is left for me to do, dear reader, is to thank you for your interest. Now take those ideas and run with them.
References and Resources
The Costume Museum: Rebirth of the Tale of Genji: hands down the best online resource for historical Japanese fashions.
Tanki Yoriaku: a resource for 18th century Japanese warrior attire.
Wikipedia entry on kimono
Bu Jin Design FAQ: Hakama
Another info page on hakama: includes the symbolic meanings of the seven pleats of the garment.
Wikipedia entry on hakama
How to Tie a Fundoshi: an illustrated guide. Slightly non-worksafe, as it features almost-nude people.
Miller, David. 1999. Samurai Warriors. New York, St. Martin's Press.
himawari1's excellent zanpakutou observation post
Wikipedia entry on the Tokugawa/Edo Period
Calendar images and manga scans taken from Bleach Exile.
Ichigo VIBES production sketch saved from soul_society. Unfortunately, I have misplaced the specific post.
Also, I apologise to Lloyd Alexander.
This hapless fandom participation was brought to you by ginger tea, insomnia, seminar paper fear and the need to be away.
As a first note: Read the comments, too! There's lots of valuable discussion to be found there.
Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would have your eyes and ears for a moment. It has recently been brought to my attention that there is a conundrum, only one of many, to many of the relationships in Bleach. For the purposes of this particular treatise, I would focus on IchiRuki, it being my OTP of Choice, but with a little creativity, this can easily be applied to many other pairings.
We have known since the beginning that Ichigo looks mighty fetching in traditional Japanese attire; and now, to the delight of many and aggravation of some, Rukia is also back in black. However, occasions will arise when the steadfast fan, and especially the inspired writer, is faced with a burning question: How do those clothes work? How does one actually get in and out of them? There are heated debates raging on what the components of the shinigami uniform are. In particular, it is a vital question to those of us who have bent their keen minds to pursuing the notion that Our Heroes might, at one point, be compelled to explore the, ah, more carnal aspects of their relationship.
After all, it is much easier to engage in such activities while unclothed. Therefore, for your entertainment and edification, I bring you
How to Disrobe Your Shinigami
A Creative Resource in Ten Steps for the Dirty-Minded. With Background.
This was spurred on, as usual, by raynos and tenebris. This one is all for you, ladies.
Disclaimer: I am an expert on neither Japanese clothing nor history. All information was scoured from Internet resources, Wikipedia, and SCA sites. There may be discrepancies. Please treat this as an amateur study done for fun and the betterment of fandom. Oh, and Bleach isn't mine either.
Quick-and-Dirty Glossary
Bleach
bankai: lit. "full release"; the ultimate stage of a zanpakutou, which harnesses the full spiritual power of the weapon to the use of its wielder
shikai: lit. "initial release"; a state all named zanpakutou are capable of; brings forth the powers of the sword
shinigami: lit. "death god"; spirit entities who guide the souls of the dead into the afterlife and keep watch for evil spirits
zanpakutou lit. "soul cutting sword"; the weapon of a shinigami, and a direct manifestation of their spiritual power
Historical
katana: the general term for the curving, single-edged Japanese sword, upwards of 2' in length; can be wielded either one- or two-handed; forged with a special process of folding and layering the steel
samurai: a member of the elite warrior caste in feudal Japan; also, a soldier of noble birth
Tokugawa/Edo Era: a historical period in Japan, 1603-1867, characterised by strong central rule by a feudal government under a supreme military leader
Real History vs. the Bleachverse
Shihakushou ("dead soul garment", if I am not mistaken -- can someone verify this?) is a term Kubo Tite coined for the black uniform the shinigami wear. It resembles Tokugawa (Edo) era samurai uniforms, but is still clearly a fictional outfit tossed together out of historical elements. This stands to reason, given that Soul Society itself is modelled after historical Japan, with Tokugawa influences being the most prominent, but is not quite the same thing.
The Shihakushou
Before we get to the crux of the matter -- removing the uniform -- we must familiarise ourselves with the parts. Most of them are self-explanatory. A hakama is a hakama, after all. The outer robe causes a spot of trouble, though, since it does not conform to any one Tokugawa-ish garment yours truly would yet have found. The problem is that it has those slits under the arms: the seams are not sewn shut all the way. If someone has a specific term to offer, it will be received with proper credit and much gratitude.
ETA: People with greater insight into the matter have commented here and here. Thank you! You can decipher their clarifications and suggestions as you best see fit. If there are some references to a kosode left in this text, they refer to the outer robe, whose name no one knows.
Superficially, both sexes wear very similar uniforms. We shall get to the minute differences in due time, but first, let us take a look at the basic elements. Rukia will represent manga art, while Ichigo poses for the anime version of the same.
The upper part of the shihakushou consists of two layers, the white shitagi ("under-gi") and the black outer robe, which I previously termed a kosode, but which evidently isn't. The outer robe comes down to some way above the knee; the shitagi is of the same length.
Allow Ichigo to demonstrate what I mean. The function of the shitagi is that of an undershirt; it keeps sweat and dirt from the outer robe, making its maintenance easier. The shitagi is typically a cotton garment, with slightly narrower sleeves and shorter hem. The shitagi is put on first, folded closed with the left flap over the right, and secured with a waist cord tied at the back so the garment stays in place. (Buttons and clasps were rare in traditional Japanese clothes, and there do not appear to be any on the shihakushou shitagi.)
The outer robe goes on next. The method is the same: right arm, left arm, right flap and then the left one on top of it, tie the entire thing with a narrow obi (cloth sash) with the knot at the rear. The right-left sequence is very important: the only time the right flap is closed over the left one is when corpses are dressed for burial. The outer obi must also be secure, since the hakama is essentially fastened to it.
The hakama (pleated skirt-pants), which goes on next, is a whole cauldron of souls of its own. I have found conflicting anecdotes of its origin: it was either developed as a protective garment for cavalry riders, like Western chaps, or then it originated as a cumbersome article for prisoners to wear so their chances of escape would be lessened. Either way, the hakama is a traditional samurai garment and considered advantageous in martial arts, since the flowing pleats serve to conceal one's movements. Shihigami wear divided hakama, although, as you can see above, the division is nearer the bottom of the garment than in trousers.
The hakama has four straps (hakama-himo), two shorter ones on either side of the rear and two longer ones in the front. In the back there is a rigid, board-like section and on the inside of it a toggle with which the hakama is fastened into the obi sash. There are many ways of tying the hakama sashes: you can find detailed instructions here (a jujutsu manner) and here (a rather formal manner resulting in a different knot from the one seen in the shihakushou).
Edit: It is difficult to say for certain whether the white outer sashes seen in the shihakushou are the hakama-himo or a separate obi wrapped over them. Generally, hakama-himo are the colour of the hakama, in this instance, black. On the other hand, the way the white sashes are wrapped is very similar to most fashions of tucking the hakama-himo. For example, they do pass under the stiff section at the rear (koshi-ita), like the straps would. It may be Kubo is applying an artistic twist to traditional fashion.
Lastly, there is the footwear: the white, toed tabi socks and the waraji sandals made of straw. The tabi are most likely made of cotton (momen-tabi) and are a crucial part of formal attire, in addition to protecting the foot. (I am certain no self-respecting shinigami would leave their quarters barefoot, as Ichigo is in the above picture when he rushes to the bridge to rescue Rukia, Ganju and Hanatarou. A terrible faux pas, that.) The waraji sandals have straps that bind them securely to the foot, supporting the ankle and allowing for freedom of movement.
Things of Note
Historically, Shinto shrine maidens were the only women to wear hakama in the Tokugawa period. (As pertains to earlier periods, the Heian court dress of a noblewoman included a hakama, for example.) In the Bleachverse, however, gender equality in Soul Society seems to have evolved to 21st century standards, and thus, we have women as well as men in uniform. Women, however, fasten their hakama at the waist, while men tie theirs slightly lower, at hip height.
This production sketch of Ichigo did not clean up too well, but it illustrates several things nicely: The hakama is indeed divided only a little above the knee, hiding the legs of the wearer. It has slits down the sides to about mid-thigh. This is not so readily apparent in the shinigami uniform, since the kosode showing through the slits is as black as the hakama itself, but can be seen in the picture of Rukia above, for example. The hakama has a little upward fold on her upper leg, just above the sheath of her zanpakutou.
The shihakushou kosode also has slits, but under the arms, not at the shoulders, as seems to be more common in Japanese robe-type clothes. One would imagine they increase mobility and make the kosode cooler to wear, if souls have to worry about such matters in the first place.
There is also the question of those articles of clothing we cannot readily see. The uniform most probably includes the fundoshi, a loin-cloth-like undergarment worn exclusively by men. At its most simple, it is a long piece of fabric folded and twisted into place; illustrated instructions can be found below, in the links after the treatise itself.
Since Bleach is a shounen manga, not much thought is given to female comfort -- that consideration goes into fanservice instead -- but realistically speaking, most of the female shinigami would bind their breasts with firm cotton bandages. Rukia might get off scot-free, but anyone more amply endowed and required to move around as much the average shinigami definitely would not. Food for thought, there.
The Zanpakutou
The soul cutters of the shinigami are, of course, much more than a part of their uniform -- they are the closest allies and most trusted comrades shinigami can have. That aside, let us consider them from a more pragmatic point of view for a moment: as elements of the attire.
Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki will enlighten you on this matter. Aesthetically, zanpakutou in their sealed form bear close resemblance to Japanese katana: they are finely wrought, slightly curving, one-edged, folded-steel swords designed for thrusting and slashing. Cataloguing the myriad forms a shikai -- let alone bankai -- zanpakutou can take would be far, far beyond the scope of this treatise, so I will only discuss the basic, sealed state of the soul cutter.
The following is based on real-world Japanese swords, but seeing how similar the zanpakutou appear, in both appearance and significance (the sword of a samurai was his soul) it seems logical their make would follow the same patterns.
The tsuba (cross-guard) of the zanpakutou are unique; once a shinigami learns the name of their sword, the tsuba takes on a form no other soul cutter bears. The tsuka (hilt) is made of wood, usually magnolia. The two halves of it are glued together around the tang (the spike extending from the blade to form the base of the hilt) of the sword and wrapped with ray-skin. The tsukaito (hilt-thread), made of braided silk, is wrapped over the ray-skin so as to form a logenze pattern. It is both decorative and provides a steady grip. The tsukaito is secured by a collar above the guard and fastened to the end of the hilt with the kashira (pommel-cap). The saya (sheath) is made of lacquered magnolia wood and is typically black in colour.
The entire sword is taken apart for cleaning, polishing and oiling. There is, of course, no indication if zanpakutou require such mundane ministrations, but it would make sense. They can, after all, be right attention-seekers, and the fandom has already run away with all sorts of possibilities they represent.
Down to Business
It has taken us a while to get this far, but, gentle reader, I implore you to be patient. There is no rushing good things, after all. All this is but groundwork, but one only becomes an expert through learning and practice -- at least now, we are past the theory and into the nebulous territories of imagination. I have described the components to you, and illustrated the manner in which they come together; now, all that is left is to deconstruct.
So, you have got your shinigami in position. This may or may not have involved heartbreaking departures, midnight angst, rainstorms, steamy sword hijinks (hi, Ray!), verbal abuse, kicks to the head -- with love, of course -- convenient stumbling right onto the lips of Possible Romantic Interest, or other such devices employed by our creative minds here, but no matter. All we here are concerned with is that you're ready to write something hot enough to scald the eyeballs off your friends, or the community, or the fandom, depending on how high you aim -- but the damn clothes are in the way.
(Mind that this has been written with the IchiRuki 'ship in mind, given my hopeless love affair with the Partnership of the Century, but with a little modification, it will serve you in good stead whatever your 'shipping permutation may be.)
Therefore, urgent action must be taken. The more hasty may begin with tugging robes off shoulders and pulling kosode tails out of the hakama, but the methodical approach is to begin with the footwear. (If the encounter takes place outdoors, this step may be omitted, for the comfort of those concerned.) Once the sandals are unstrapped, one should consider working one's way up, and then in when possible. The shihakushou is a military outfit and designed for active, often rough-and-tumble use; considering this, it is relatively easy to remove as long as one is familiar with all the knotwork.
(Which raises an intriguing question: does Ichigo know how to tie on his hakama, for example? We know he took karate lessons, which would suggest he could work his way through the obi, but the hakama straps are a whole 'nother tangle. When he enters soul form, his uniform is already neatly in place...
This might be an instance where Rukia has the upper hand; as if she needed any more aces up her sleeve.)
However, so that some part of this would be short and sweet, here you are:
(1. Unstrap sandals. Kick/pull them off, depending on whether they are yours or partner's.)
(2. Remove tabi.)
3. Open front bow of hakama. Since the shorter back straps are tied in front, they will fall free.
4. Untuck the toggle at the rear of hakama.
5. Reach into the rear of the hakama, untangle front straps from obi, and pull them free.
6. Open knot in front and pull the front straps free from the rear knot of the obi (they are wrapped a full round around the waist).
7. Hakama will fall open in front. Avoid stumbling on the folds of the hakama. Step out of hakama. Or pull partner free of their hakama and hope you can catch them when they stumble on the folds.
8. Untie kosode obi. Knot is in the back.
9. Untie shitagi obi. Knot is in the back.
10. a) Do not stop to properly unwrap fundoshi. Presumably would be an unnecessary time waster. Just get it out of the way.
10. b) Author is left to wonder if breast bindings would cause as great stress as bra straps may to possible male participants. It is suggested Ichigo not be allowed to use Zangetsu to overcome this obstacle.
Other Pointers: All this should be interspersed and accompanied with appropriate amounts of making out, more creative verbal abuse -- with all due love, once again -- sweet mistakes, embarrassment, especially if writing first-time-ish stuff, in which, in the undying words of Ten, humour is a requirement. Heck, involve the zanpakutou, and I don't mean in a pointy-parts-first manner. Play with ideas, vary the order (even with the hakama parts! :D), make this yours. I just wrote this as part humorous, part honestly helpful fandom resource: put it to good use!
For all that is left for me to do, dear reader, is to thank you for your interest. Now take those ideas and run with them.
References and Resources
The Costume Museum: Rebirth of the Tale of Genji: hands down the best online resource for historical Japanese fashions.
Tanki Yoriaku: a resource for 18th century Japanese warrior attire.
Wikipedia entry on kimono
Bu Jin Design FAQ: Hakama
Another info page on hakama: includes the symbolic meanings of the seven pleats of the garment.
Wikipedia entry on hakama
How to Tie a Fundoshi: an illustrated guide. Slightly non-worksafe, as it features almost-nude people.
Miller, David. 1999. Samurai Warriors. New York, St. Martin's Press.
himawari1's excellent zanpakutou observation post
Wikipedia entry on the Tokugawa/Edo Period
Calendar images and manga scans taken from Bleach Exile.
Ichigo VIBES production sketch saved from soul_society. Unfortunately, I have misplaced the specific post.
Also, I apologise to Lloyd Alexander.
This hapless fandom participation was brought to you by ginger tea, insomnia, seminar paper fear and the need to be away.