Karate Gi

Proper Care of Karate Gi

Colourful belts are just one aspect of the standard karate uniform. Karate players tend to dress in a cotton jacket and pants combination known as a "gi" or "do-gi." Say 'g' as in 'game' and pronounce the word "gee." A karate gi is a de-evolution of the excellent uniform that judo requires it's players to wear. The Judo uniform is extremely sturdy and designed to accept a lot of pulling and sheering before succumbing to abuse. The karate uniform has, over the years, has moved away from the woven uniform of judo and toward white cotton canvas in varying weights.

Although cotton is favoured as a uniform in karate circles, it is a poor quality cloth by today's standards. Cotton is not particularly absorbent, so it does little to draw sweat away from the body. And, once it does become soaked with sweat, it becomes much heavier, clings to the body, and begins to rot.

Most karate gi start off as beautiful white, almost light blue, soft, duck canvas. As the uniform is worn, though, it begins to stain yellow from sweat, particularly in the armpits, and the stitching begins to rot and disintegrate. A karate gi that has been worn many times first self-destructs at the stitching that holds the sleeves to the jacket. Also, the stitching in the crotch begins to unravel as well.

Proper care and treatment of the uniform is necessary in order to prevent it from becoming a yellowish, smelly, rotting testament to your infrequent bathing habits.

How to Fold Your Karate Gi

In Japan, one does not wear a karate gi in an inappropriate place. The Japanese are very sensitive to context, and therefore don't appreciate the more casual Western approach to clothing in which one might not take time to change clothes before changing locations. Where as in the West, you might see someone in their workout clothes at the gas station or other public place, no Japanese would ever do this. Instead, they make sure that they change into appropriate attire before changing situations.

A karate gi is put into a gym bag and taken to the dojo for training. However, don't just stuff your karate gi into the gym bag! The Japanese find that kind of slop to be contrary to the very essence of the martial arts dojo. Instead, your karate gi should be folded carefully, tied together with your belt, and placed in a neat package into your bag. In Japan, you always get a present at the dojo: your gi.

1.      Use the Floor - The first step to properly folding a gi is to get on your knees on the floor. Lay the jacket out with the back down to the floor. Spread the sleeves out so that they point straight out to the sides in opposite directions.

2.      Fold One Side Over - Fold one sleeve and a quarter of the torso of the jacket over toward the other sleeve. As any part of your jacket that was on the floor is folded in, brush it off with your hand to get anything that stuck to it off. Also, this brushing action helps you to crease your uniform neatly.

3.      Fold the Sleeve Back - Fold the sleeve back on itself to get it out of the way.

4.      Fold the Other Side - Now fold the other side in and that sleeve back the same way.

5.      Fold the Jacket Up - Two more easy folds and your jacket is folded into a nice square.

6.      Now for the pants - Lay the pants out on the floor and brush them off to flatten them. Fold them in half, bringing one side over the other.

7.      Fold the Top Down - Now fold Top half of your pants down and continue folding them so that your gi is rolled up in folds in three motions.

8.      Tie a Bow - Now place the jacket and pants together, making sure that the loose ends are inward on both items. Wrap the belt around the package, and tie it off. You're done!

Dispensing of Some Dirty Myths

Some people are very proud of their yellowed and torn karate uniforms as if they are a sign of seniority. This ridiculous idea is very wrong. Senior karate experts may own many uniforms of varying ages, and they have probably owned more than thirty of the things in 15 years or more of training. To me, a yellow gi is a sign of poverty, nothing more.

Another foolish notion is the one that says you should never wash your belt. You should wash your belt, just make sure you avoid bleach and allow it to soak in soapy water for a long time. Your belt can probably go through the dryer, and it should be washed much less frequently than the rest of your uniform, but wash it you must. If you don't wash your belt, it will begin to smell like urine, it will rot, and every time you or anyone touches it, you'll be risking an infection from the dangerous bacteria growing within it. Wash your belt. But don't wash it with your gi unless you want your gi to change colour.

Expensive Uniforms

The people you see in videos and books demonstrating kata usually have their uniforms hand-tailored. They have the uniform custom designed around their measurements, and that's why their uniforms never have quite the sloppy look that yours and mine have. Gi are available in a variety of makes. Shotokan experts tend to prefer moderately expensive heavy weight cotton uniforms with 3/4 length sleeves and 4/5 length legs. Beginners should probably not invest in expensive uniforms until they are sure that they enjoy the practice of karate.

Belts also come in a variety of flavours. Colour belts are usually pretty standard, although there are noticeable changes in quality from one brand to another as far as colour tone, cloth, cut, and stitching. Black belts come in a variety of styles and materials. The most common belts purchased are heavy-duty cotton belts that last for decades and the silk/satin covered kind. Cotton belts wear out more slowly, but silk belts are prettier when new. Also, the silk belts wear out gracefully and have better movement and presentation quality when performing a kata in front of a crowd.

The wear and tear on a belt is meaningless as to the skill of the holder. Anyone can use sandpaper on their belt and wear it out prematurely.