“The Destructive Arts are exactly like Martial Arts, except they don’t have uniforms or usefulness…” Martial arts are essentially combat practices aimed primarily at self-defense, fitness, competition, physical development and increasing mental awareness. Now, as we all know, every form of art adheres to certain rules, without which they lose their meaning. Uniforms are one such essential component in martial arts. As there exists various forms of martial arts similarly each has its own special martial arts supplies.
Based on their techniques, we can divide the martial arts into the following categories: Kicking, striking, grapple and throw, pinning down, and punching. Each of these categories has their various styles of martial arts with their respective uniforms.
Kicking Martial Arts
1) TAEKWONDO
The uniform for this martial art comprises of a belt called as ‘Di’ or ‘Dhee’, the training pants called ‘Hai’ and the uniform is known as the ‘Dobok.’ A typical uniform is white in color and represents purity. The uniforms are cut in specific ways to assist in quick movements. Cotton is preferred for proper breathability. Reinforced stitches at the hem and the cuffs are often seen in taekwondo uniforms.
Striking Martial Arts
1) KARATE
The Japanese name for the karate uniform is ‘Karategi.’ These uniforms are usually made from smooth cotton as it makes the outfit lighter and hence allows agility in movement. Light canvas styled cloth is a common choice for the uniforms. There are primarily three distinct kinds of cut in a karate-gi: Japanese, Kata, and European. The European cut has a short lapel with long sleeves and trouser. On the contrary, Japanese cut has a longer lapel with short sleeves and trousers.
Pinning Martial Arts
1) Jiu-jitsu
The pants are made from sturdy cotton, denim or canvas and are reinforced with seams/knees. The gi is made from a variety of cotton fabrics.
Ø Single weave: less durable fabric, very light in weight and cheap.
Ø Double weave: as the name suggests, it is heavier and more costly than the single weave material. They can prove to be more abrasive on the skin though.
Ø Ripstop wear: this kind of fabric is a combination of silk, nylon, polyester and cotton. It is of a very high demand as it is both extremely strong as well as a light-weight fabric.
Grapple and Throw
1) JUDO
The traditional uniform worn by students and practitioners of judo is called a ‘Judogi’ in Japanese. This traditional uniform comprises of three essential parts: Uwagi- a very heavy jacket; Shitabaki- the canvas pants. It is much lighter than the jacket; and, Obi- a cotton belt worn over the jacket. Since judo involves a lot of stressful activity, the uniforms are made bearing this in mind. The knee-patches are double layered while the entire fabric has a heavier stitching. The uniform is worn in such a way that the left side of the gi is made to cross over the right side.
2) AIKIDO
The ‘Aikidogi’ is the traditional name for the aikido uniform. The uniform is made from bleached cotton or from cotton-poly blends. Similar to Judo the jacket in Aikido is known as a ‘uwagi’ while the pants are called ‘zubon’ respectively.
Ø Since aikido martial art primarily focuses on the seated-position stance, therefore, the pants are heavily reinforced.
Ø The uwagi has shorter sleeves so that it is easier to perform wrist grabs to grapple and throw the opponent.
Ø The skirts are longer at the waist so that they can be easily tucked into the ‘Hakama’ with ease. The hakama is similar to a trouser, it is looser in the waist and has divided legs with a narrow structure. Usually a hakama is secured by four straps. Hakama has seven deep pleats representing seven virtues of the samurai lifestyle.
Punching Martial Arts
1) BOXING
A wrestling uniform is commonly referred to as a singlet usually made of nylon or spandex. The uniform is deliberately made to be tight-fitting so that it cannot be grabbed during a duel. The singlets come in three distinct traditional cuts: the high, the low and the fila cut.
Martial arts are respected universally. The discipline they bring with them and impart among the students is commendable. The uniforms are a part of this custom and uphold the traditional heritage. Through the years the uniforms have ‘uniformly’ maintained their prestige and provided distinct identities to each of the martial arts.
Based on their techniques, we can divide the martial arts into the following categories: Kicking, striking, grapple and throw, pinning down, and punching. Each of these categories has their various styles of martial arts with their respective uniforms.
Kicking Martial Arts
1) TAEKWONDO
The uniform for this martial art comprises of a belt called as ‘Di’ or ‘Dhee’, the training pants called ‘Hai’ and the uniform is known as the ‘Dobok.’ A typical uniform is white in color and represents purity. The uniforms are cut in specific ways to assist in quick movements. Cotton is preferred for proper breathability. Reinforced stitches at the hem and the cuffs are often seen in taekwondo uniforms.
Striking Martial Arts
1) KARATE
The Japanese name for the karate uniform is ‘Karategi.’ These uniforms are usually made from smooth cotton as it makes the outfit lighter and hence allows agility in movement. Light canvas styled cloth is a common choice for the uniforms. There are primarily three distinct kinds of cut in a karate-gi: Japanese, Kata, and European. The European cut has a short lapel with long sleeves and trouser. On the contrary, Japanese cut has a longer lapel with short sleeves and trousers.
Pinning Martial Arts
1) Jiu-jitsu
The pants are made from sturdy cotton, denim or canvas and are reinforced with seams/knees. The gi is made from a variety of cotton fabrics.
Ø Single weave: less durable fabric, very light in weight and cheap.
Ø Double weave: as the name suggests, it is heavier and more costly than the single weave material. They can prove to be more abrasive on the skin though.
Ø Ripstop wear: this kind of fabric is a combination of silk, nylon, polyester and cotton. It is of a very high demand as it is both extremely strong as well as a light-weight fabric.
Grapple and Throw
1) JUDO
The traditional uniform worn by students and practitioners of judo is called a ‘Judogi’ in Japanese. This traditional uniform comprises of three essential parts: Uwagi- a very heavy jacket; Shitabaki- the canvas pants. It is much lighter than the jacket; and, Obi- a cotton belt worn over the jacket. Since judo involves a lot of stressful activity, the uniforms are made bearing this in mind. The knee-patches are double layered while the entire fabric has a heavier stitching. The uniform is worn in such a way that the left side of the gi is made to cross over the right side.
2) AIKIDO
The ‘Aikidogi’ is the traditional name for the aikido uniform. The uniform is made from bleached cotton or from cotton-poly blends. Similar to Judo the jacket in Aikido is known as a ‘uwagi’ while the pants are called ‘zubon’ respectively.
Ø Since aikido martial art primarily focuses on the seated-position stance, therefore, the pants are heavily reinforced.
Ø The uwagi has shorter sleeves so that it is easier to perform wrist grabs to grapple and throw the opponent.
Ø The skirts are longer at the waist so that they can be easily tucked into the ‘Hakama’ with ease. The hakama is similar to a trouser, it is looser in the waist and has divided legs with a narrow structure. Usually a hakama is secured by four straps. Hakama has seven deep pleats representing seven virtues of the samurai lifestyle.
Punching Martial Arts
1) BOXING
A wrestling uniform is commonly referred to as a singlet usually made of nylon or spandex. The uniform is deliberately made to be tight-fitting so that it cannot be grabbed during a duel. The singlets come in three distinct traditional cuts: the high, the low and the fila cut.
Martial arts are respected universally. The discipline they bring with them and impart among the students is commendable. The uniforms are a part of this custom and uphold the traditional heritage. Through the years the uniforms have ‘uniformly’ maintained their prestige and provided distinct identities to each of the martial arts.