Keiko Gi and Obi

New students are required to have a white gi, since a white gi must be worn for any formal presentations such as belt promotion checks, demonstrations, tournaments, etc. The only decorations allowed on a gi are the Isshin Ryu Mizu Gami patch and the club patch of the dojo (and a demonstration patch if the student has earned one).

Gi are to be kept in good condition, as a reflection of the student. Gi should be washed regularly, and ironed if needed. Patches should be sewn securely to the appropriate places, and sleeves or pants should be hemmed or rolled up if too long. When a student takes off their obi or their gi, they should respectfully fold the belt or uniform rather than toss it aside in a heap.

Once a student has been promoted to green belt and shown that they can care for their white uniform, they may buy a black gi if they desire. (This saves wear and tear on their white gi, and the black gi doesn’t show as much dark “dojo dust” as a white gi during a workout.) A student may, of course, own as many gi as they like.

         The keiko gi serves several purposes. It’s designed to allow ample movement of the entire body, so the student may work techniques easily. The material and design also cause the gi to make a “popping” sound, or a snap, when a punch or kick is done correctly with power. This “snap” tells the student that they’re performing the technique well. In time, the student should hear more ‘snapping’ as they become better with their skills and move up through the belt ranks.

      The gi is also symbolic. Because each student wears the same uniform, when we’re on the floor for a class, we are all equal. While outside the dojo we may come from different races, jobs, schools, ages and backgrounds, within the dojo we are one single class. We are all there to learn, to study, to practice, to improve. Therefore the gi gives everyone the appearance of equality, and everyone is granted respect.         

     The obi worn over the gi is used in modern days to designate a student’s progress. As a student is promoted to the next level of rank, their belt becomes darker.    

     There is a specific way of tying the obi knot and wearing the obi, and new students will be taught the proper way to wear their obi when they receive their gi.