By Jennifer R Scott

Karate uniforms, traditionally called "Gi", are designed to facilitate the various types of movements common to the practice of martial arts. They are a traditional garment that has been worn by karate students and teachers for generations. They are available in varying weights and styles, but almost always consist of three main components; the jacket (Kimono), the pants (Zubon) and of course, the belt (Obi).

Wearing a Gi is highly recommended when practicing karate. Unlike most other clothing, a Gi is designed to withstand a substantial amount of abuse. They are often made from a heavy cotton canvas material, although the weight of material can vary. This material is exceptionally strong, enabling it to survive through years of being pulled on, scraped, beaten, sweated through, and of course, washed. It is also an exceptionally flexible material, which is essential to allowing a student to comfortably perform the necessary motions.

Karate uniforms also come in two basic styles, normal and tournament cut. A typical Gi will have sleeves and pants that reach all the way to the wrist and ankle, respectively. Tournament cut uniforms, by comparison, are a bit narrower and are cut short of the ankle and wrist. This allows the student to move freely without having to worry about accidentally snagging a finger or tripping over the longer hanging pants of a normal Gi.

The karate Gi is based on the traditional uniform of Judo. It is believed that it was adopted by karate practitioners after Master Funakoshi wore one while performing a demonstration, at the behest of Judo master Kano. Previous to that most karate was simply performed in shorts. However, Master Funakoshi was so impressed with the uniform that he brought it back to Okinawa with him and these karate uniforms have been used ever since. Today, they are the most easily recognizable martial arts uniforms on the planet.

Finally, a student should do his/her best to ensure that their Gi is kept in as pristine condition as possible. Tradition dictates that a uniform be clean each and every time a student sets foot in a dojo as a sign of respect.

Jennifer R. Scott has been writing for over ten years on a broad range of topics. She has a background that includes such diverse areas as environmentalism, cooking, animal care, and technology. If you would like more information on martial arts, please visit karate uniforms, a supplier of quality karate accessories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_R_Scott

http://EzineArticles.com/?Karate-Uniforms-Are-All-About-Tradition&id=4575219