Gi Color

[eSc]

Does the Gi color really matter in Uechi-Ryu? Why are most wearing white Gi's and some wear black?

[Glenn]

The answer to this is pretty much the same as the answer to "why do we even wear a gi at all?"

[John Giacoletti]

We wear a gi because we represent and are proud of the karate tradition. We are part of a class and the gi is the uniform, that is, "one form." All members of the class are important. Individual choices of attire are subordinated so as not to be a distraction to the attainment of instructional goals.

"why do we even wear a gi at all?"

Right ... when you train in the woods you don't need a gi Why should swimmers and runners bother with suits? or other examples to the absurd?

We wear a gi because over the years it has proven to be the uniform that provides best for the physical freedom necessary to execute karate techniques.

In our school, we wear a black gi for kobudo classes and a white gi for karate classes. The belt system is used to different the general skill levels of the students and a system of colored stripes on the collar yoke differentiates instructors from students, and students commited to leadership from basic students.

This system allows visitors and parents to pick out the colonels from the lieutenents and the NCOs from the privates.

Hey ... its a big school

[Van Canna]

In our school, we wear a black gi for kobudo classes and a white gi for karate classes. The belt system is used to different the general skill levels of the students and a system of colored stripes on the collar yoke differentiates instructors from students, and students commited to leadership from basic students.

Excellent point, John.

[MikeK]

We wear a gi because over the years it has proven to be the uniform that provides best for the physical freedom necessary to execute karate techniques.

John, That's one great argument against wearing a gi.

Back to the woods for me.

[eSc]

We wear a gi because we represent and are proud of the karate tradition. We are part of a class and the gi is the uniform, that is, "one form." All members of the class are important. Individual choices of attire are subordinated so as not to be a distraction to the attainment of instructional goals.

So the short answer is if the rest of your class is wearing white you should wear white. Don't try to be a 'distraction' by what you wear.

So the color of the gi is only for astetics.

[MikeK]

Differences only become a disctraction if there is a lot of conformity in the school. The more conformity the less tolerence for anything different. I know some very good schools where clothing isn't a big deal. But to each his own and when in Rome.

We wear a gi because over the years it has proven to be the uniform that provides best for the physical freedom necessary to execute karate techniques.

After thinking about that statement again I'd have say after having spent so much time hitching my uniform pants, redoing my jacket and belt that a traditional karate uniform is one of the worst things to wear trying to use karate techniques. The TKD guys may be onto something with the elastic waist band pants and pullover tops. Think I'll start working on a clip on belt.

[Arbie]

Black doesn't show the blood like white.

Black is hot in the sun , white is cooler but grass stains.

I believe no matter what your uniform it makes sense to train in your day to day clothing as well.

Laird

[f.Channell]

We wear a gi because Funakoshi sensei and others were trying to be accepted by the more traditional Japanese Budo systems such as Judo whose gi they adopted.

If Japan didn't take over Okinawa but China had, they would be wearing kung fu attire.

I wear a black gi on grappling night because it's so tough to get the ground in stains out of a white gi.

Other systems offer multiple colors so they can sell more gi's a year.

F.

[Stryke]

I only wear a gi in a formal type class usually

I find my most usefull training these days is informal , and i`ll train in whatever i`m wearing as long as it`s up to it .

Whats more important to me is the strentgh of the gi , i`m a firm beleiver in the grappling gi , something solid to train throws and groundwork . the gi alone has helped my learning of throws and takedowns .

having said all above , the gi is usefull in crating an atmosphere and protocol , and giving students a sense of belonging ... not something I need but I realise it`s valuable to some .

[eSc]

I've spent the last 5 months doing one on one training in normal everyday atire and I've found it to be in a lot of ways easier to perform karate techniques.

It's more realistic to train in every day clothing because likelyness of you wearing a GI when it comes to a street fight is prety slim

[Glenn]

I've spent the last 5 months doing one on one training in normal everyday atire and I've found it to be in a lot of ways easier to perform karate techniques.

It's more realistic to train in every day clothing because likelyness of you wearing a GI when it comes to a street fight is prety slim

Exactly! Whether your dojo requires uniforms or not (mine fortunately doesn't, except on special occassions...i.e. when Bill visits ), every martial artist should spend time training in clothes they would likely have to fight in if the situation occurs.

But now take it a step further and try it in unusual clothing you might be in. How well can you do the techniques in a suit, party-on-the-town clothes, tight jeans/skirt? How about snow boots, a heavy winter coat, and gloves if you live in a cold climate? Can you do the dojo moves in tight clothes or with several pounds of heavy, bulky winter gear on? Do you have the same range of motion, flexibility, stamina, endurance, and power? If not you better find out what works before you happen to get into an altercation while in that clothing. And I'm not saying go through a class with a suit on, but at least explore on your own what limitations occur. But even with a class, in the right climate you could try some sparring outside in full winter gear in the middle of winter.

Uniforms are a product of 20th century standardization of martial arts classes. A hundred years ago the Okinawans and Chinese (and others) simply trained in their everyday clothing.

[Glenn]

We wear a gi because over the years it has proven to be the uniform that provides best for the physical freedom necessary to execute karate techniques.

After thinking about that statement again I'd have say after having spent so much time hitching my uniform pants, redoing my jacket and belt that a traditional karate uniform is one of the worst things to wear trying to use karate techniques. The TKD guys may be onto something with the elastic waist band pants and pullover tops. Think I'll start working on a clip on belt.

I don't think the gi is ideal either. I find sweatpants and a t-shirt to be best for physical freedom and comfort when training, but I'm just as likely to train in the long khakis and long-sleeve shirts that I wear all day at home and work.

[MikeK]

Can you do the dojo moves in tight clothes or with several pounds of heavy, bulky winter gear on?

Right Glen. Practice wearing those things and you'll either change what you wear or what techniques you lean towards.
Marcus, you still wearing those big Herman Munster boots to practice in? Them babies is scary.

My normal clothes for my Sunday sessions are just a pair of Wranglers, a shirt and some sneakers or hiking boots. Maybe a little tick repellent behind my ears. Having pockets is great, you can learn the good and bad things about keeping stuff in your pockets.
I don't mind a gi as gym clothes and find it usefull for some types of practice, but I do find it a bit funny when people put some kind of symbolism to it. But if it means something to someone that's fine and I'll wear one and I'll respect that while in their dojo.

[Rick Wilson]

We changed from white to black because it doesn’t show the dirt and stains as much.

We wear a gi during the week but for Saturday workouts it is gi pants and T-shirts.

We find the T-shirts get ripped off more often, even the lighter gi we have gone to will have to be replaced with a heavier one.

Note: We try to make our grappling moves without the use of the gi – the ripping off comes in scenario-like situations where the bad guy grabs you by the cloths in the attack.