Karate-gi

The Karate-gi refers to the traditional Japanese uniform used while practising and during competition. The uniform is similar to the judo uniforms referred to as judogi. The karate-gi is lighter than the judogi with a maximum weight of 0.5 kg (16 oz). The ideal karate-gi uniforms are composed of slightly loose design enabling them to have freedom of mobility and speed.  It is manufactured from soft and smooth cotton material that can be brushed and ribbed for additional comfort & unrestricted movement. The uniforms are available in various colours, but white is the preferable colour used by the most karateka.

Variant of karate-gi

Inferior karate-gi - The inferior karate-gi uniforms are manufactured from a piece of light cotton fabric. The gi is light-weight so can be easily torn-off and tend to adhere on the participant’s skin. It further leads to extreme discomfort when a high amount of perspiration is experienced making the uniform wet.  This uniform weigh around 0.2 kg (8 oz) maximum.

Manufacturing of the karate-gi

The sleeves are regarded as sode, whereas the sleeve cuff is regarded as sodeguchi. The uniform is composed of three parts - a jacket known as Uwagi. The Uwagi has a string (himo) used for tightening the upper wear. The belt known as Obi is present in various colours that correspond to their ranks. The colour of the belts can be white, orange, blue, yellow, green, brown, black & more depending on the style of the sport. The trousers also have himo on the waist and are regarded as Zubon. There are two significant models of karate-gi; Kumite karate-gi manufactured from acrylic fibre, light in weight and are breathable. The Kata karate-gi, on the other hand, is composed of thick cotton fabric.

There are three significant cuts on a karate-gi:

• Kata cut - The kata is a rare sort of cutting which has shorter sleeves and makes an aesthetic appearance.
• European cut - The European cuts have long sleeves and trousers and a shorter lapel.
• Japanese cut - The Japanese cut are very common and has shorter sleeves and trousers to lessen the restrictions.