WHERE DID YOU GET THAT GI FROM?

Intro

In the modern world of mixed martial arts the gi has become the standard in MMA fight gear.  While many students and instructors wear the gi, not all know what it is, why it’s used, what different types are used, why they are white, where they came from and why there are different styles for each martial art.           

What is it?

The gi is a loose fitting garment which consists of three main components a jacket, trousers and a belt.  

Why it’s used?

The gi is a loose fitting fight wear that has sleeves and trouser legs which are usually several inches shorter than normal cloths.  This helps prevent accidental entanglement and promotes ease of movement.  Belts are colored to represent a student’s progress within the martial art.  

What are the different types?

There are three different styles of gi.  The Japanese cut has short sleeves and trouser legs to help encourage easy movement.  The Kata is the rarest cut of the three and has even shorter sleeves and trouser legs than the Japanese cut.  The European cut has the longest sleeves and pant legs of all three cuts and is usually chosen for aesthetic purposes.  All three cuts are accepted MMA equipment and can be used when competing in MMA events.         

Why are they white?

Gi’s come in many different colors and all are accepted in mixed martial arts today.  While different colors are used most students still wear white to differentiate themselves from the instructor.  Kano the creator of the gi also chose white to represent the qualities of purity, simplicity and humility having all of his students wear the gi regardless of social class to reinforce the idea that all students begin as equals. 

Where did they come from?

In 1907 Kano Jigoro the founder of Judo created the gi and it was used for years in Japan when practicing Judo.  In 1922 Master Gichin Funakoshi the founder of Karate was invited to Tokyo to demonstrate his martial art.  Kano noticed that Sensei Funakoshi didn’t have a garment to wear when demonstrating his martial art so he offered him a Judo gi.  Sensei Funakoshi liked it so much that he adopted its use for karate along with the belt system.  In later years other martial arts like Jiu Jitsu started adopting the gi. 

Why are there different styles in each martial art?

Over the years as more martial arts started using gi’s each adapted the gi to its particular set of movements.  Take a look at the Judo gi when compared to the Karate gi.  The Judo gi is as heavy as 35 oz and is extremely baggy with longer sleeves to make it extremely durable and easier for an opponent to grab, hold and submit you.  The Karate gi is from 12 to 16 oz with shorter sleeves and pant legs which encourages greater freedom of motion and allows for faster kicking and punching.

Final thoughts

Now that you’ve learned a little more about the gi you can make a more informed decision when purchasing a gi the preferred MMA apparel in mixed martial arts.