MMA Karate Uniform All
[mage lang="en|fr|es|en" source="flickr"]MMA Karate Uniform All[/mage]
Why is the Gi the uniform of Martial Arts?
How did the Gi become the uniform for most forms of Martial Arts and what has made it last so long? I just started training in MMA (not quite like UFC its more of a traditional form of the different Martial Arts mixed together…if that makes sense) and have found that the Gis are very hot and all that material can get annoying during a fight. I know that pro MMA fighter don’t wear Gis but most Martial Arts school still use them as the uniform and more traditional fighters (fighter trained in just one form of Martial Arts such as Okinawan Karate) still wear them. Why has the Gi lasted so long without being modernized in some way? Is it just because of tradition?
The traditional martial arts gi is actually derived from traditional articles of Japanese clothing. Most likely Jigoro Kano derived the original judo-gi from the kimono and other Japanese garments around the turn of the 20th century. The judo-gi was the first modern martial arts training uniform. Over the years the length of the pants and sleeves grew longer, changes were made in the material and fit, the traditional unbleached cotton is now a bleached white, and blue judo-gi have become available, but today they are still very close to the same practice uniform used 100 years ago. Other martial arts, notably karate, adopted the style of training uniform used in judo.
The clothing of the Edo Period (1601-1867 A.D.) is what the modern person would think of when asked about traditional Japanese clothing. Consisting of basic pieces such as the Kimono, Obi, and Hakama, Japanese clothing is as remarkably simple as it is complex and elegant.
The building block for all traditional Japanese clothing, regardless of class, begins with the Kimono. By the Edo Period, this had become an outer garment and was made of all types of fabric from plain, solid cotton to heavily embroidered silk. Under the Kimono, lighter Kimono called Nagajuban in co-ordinating colours would be layered. Yukatabira, light and loose-fitting robes, were also worn as an alternative to the Kimono by both sexes in a relaxed or casual setting.
The working classes wore simpler garments based on the Kimono. The Happi was a short coat, similar in construction and wear to a Kimono, that both genders wore. The Happi was combined with either somewhat fitted pants for men or very loose pants and aprons for women. Cording, sashes and Obi were used to close these jackets. Under this, for men, would be worn a loincloth, a piece of fabric wrapped around the groin, held on using cord as a belt or tied like a diaper. In cold weather, a Hanten (quilted jacket) would be worn over the Kimono or Happi. All classes wore coats and hats made of straw in rainy weather.
Additionally, the Samurai, or fighting class, had garments they would wear in conjunction with the Kimono. The Kamishimo was a two-piece costume worn over a kimono. It resembled an apron or backwards pinafore. The upper piece, the Kataginu, was a sleeveless vest with exaggerated shoulders. This was worn over the Hakama, which were wide, flowing pants. The Hakama has significant meaning applied to the design of the garment. The seven folds in these pants represent seven virtues of the Samurai – Yuki (courage), Jin (humility), Gi (justice), Rei (chivalry), Makoto (honesty), Chugi (loyalty), and Meiyo (prestige).
Uniform Girls Fight