The Dogi
The Karate Dogi or Gi is the outfit worn for karate training.
It consists of a jacket (uwagi) and trousers (zubon) made of white cotton
or canvas and a belt (obi), the colour of which indicates the rank of the
student. The Ashihara school allows one to have
badges (crests) on the left side of the chest and on the left sleeve.
How to Wear the Dogi
The belt worn indicates the rank of the karateka according
to the standard ranking system adopted in Ashihara Karate. The ten lower
ranks (mudansha) of Kyu or non-black belt holders are divided into the
following colours: white, blue, yellow, green and brown. The upper ten
ranks (yudansha) of Dan have the holders wearing the black belt.
How to tie the Obi
After a while a student's gi may become worn from regular
training and washing. Parts of the gi may also become discoloured from
vigorous workouts. The belt (obi) will also become ragged from being tied
and untied, and from being tugged on.
How to fold the Gi
Although one washes ones gi, the belt is never washed. Every
class that you take, every drop of sweat, every little tear or abrasion
is part of what goes into each student's unique experience. It is something
to be remembered, but not clung to. Therefore no experience is washed away.
The belt must tell its own story. Belts
may be marked with the holder's name and the name of the Ashihara school
on the ends of the belt.
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Updated by Hoosain Narker