For generations, Japanese style has been defined by one type of clothing: the kimono. Historically significant, aesthetically pleasing and full of symbolism, it represents the refined elegance of Japanese culture and design, proving that clothing can symbolize the cultures of an entire nation. Its history begins in the 8th century and continues to the present day; it still plays a significant role in modern Japanese culture.
Thanks to the popularity of ukiyo-e prints in the West at the beginning of the last century, a girl dressed in a kimono has become one of the most significant images of Japan.
What is a kimono
The word itself literally translates from Japanese as “clothing.” It consists of two characters - ki (“wearing”) and mono (“thing”). It itself has been traditional Japanese clothing for a long time. Over time, this term began to be used in two meanings: in the broad sense it refers to all clothing as such, in the narrow sense it refers to a variant of traditional Japanese clothing called wafuku. There are not only several types of it, but also traditional patterns and colors of the fabric used to sew it. They are usually hand stitched into a T shape from 4 separate pieces of fabric.
In addition to its unique aesthetics, the kimono is valued for its symbolism: the style, design motif, color and material help reflect the wearer's personality.
TOP 5 best brands of karate kimono - ranking 2021
Adidas Revo Flex WKF (K190SK)
The Adidas Revo Flex WKF (K190SK) is the best WKF approved kumite gi made from lightweight 6.7 oz (190 gsm) polyester fabric. The set includes a jacket and trousers for karate. The belt will have to be purchased separately. A professional model with good ventilation will be an ideal choice for equipping national teams.
Price: 8792 rubles
Kamikaze Europe
Kamikaze Europa is the famous red label kimono created for karate professionals. The unique fabric of the Spanish manufacturer Kamikaze allows air to pass through well and quickly evaporates moisture. The author of the design was the world famous karate master Hiroshi Shirai. Sleeves just above the wrist, trouser legs to ankle level. Specially designed for kumite, the dense 100% cotton Karate-Gi fabric retains its shape well.
Price: 7800 rubles
Arawaza Diamond WKF
The Arawaza Diamond WKF Kumite Karate Kimono is designed using MESH technology, which allows you to quickly remove moisture, circulate air well and keep your skin dry during intense training. The material for creating the kimono was a mixture of polyester and cardboard, the fabric density was 8 ounces (approximately 227 g/m). Shrinkage is minimal. Canadian made karate uniforms are officially approved by the WKF.
Price: 6,990 rubles
Karate Kimono Bax (PRKT)
The Bax Karate Kimono (PRKT) is designed from natural cotton, characterized by hygroscopic properties and excellent air flow to the athletes' skin. Fabric density - 300 mg/cm2. The product is equipped with fabric ribbons on the jacket, wide elastic on the trousers, complemented by lacing. A belt is also included. Double seams increase the strength of the set. The kimono can withstand intense stress during karate training and sparring with a partner. Bax Karate Kimono Size/Height (PRKT): 00/120, 0/130, 1/140, 2/150, 3/160, 4/170, 5/180, 6/190.
Price: 1453 rubles
Rusco Sport
Rusco Sport - children's kimono for training and competitions. Made from 100% cotton, absolutely white, density 270-330 g/m2, inexpensive. A white belt is included in the package. Loose long trousers are held at the waist with a drawstring and a wide sewn-in elastic band. The size range includes the range 110-150 cm.
Price: 1699 rubles
Style
There are different types of kimonos for different occasions and seasons, including for men. The type is dictated by a number of specific criteria, including gender, marital status and the event for which the outfit is worn. For example, an unmarried woman would wear furisode ("flying sleeves"), a special type of long-sleeved garment, to a formal event, while a male shopkeeper would wear a special type of jacket.
Learning the symbolism of traditional Japanese clothing helps foreigners better understand what a kimono is.
Wash
In ancient times, in order to wash a Japanese kimono, it was ripped open and then sewn again. Modern methods of cleaning fabrics have eliminated this need. Although in some places traditional Japanese costume continues to be washed the old fashioned way. To avoid unnecessary bruising, the appearance of wrinkles and tangling of the layers of Japanese clothing, it is washed away with loose and large stitches.
Patterns
Patterns, symbols, and other designs also communicate the wearer's status, personality traits, and virtues. Similar to prints, popular motifs include elements inspired by nature, such as leaves, flowers and birds (namely cranes).
The pattern also depended on the time of year when the clothes were worn. For example, fabric with butterflies or cherry blossoms was used for clothing worn in spring, water theme was used for summer clothing, maple leaves for autumn, pine or bamboo for winter.
Exploitation
Kimonos have never been wasted in Japan. Old clothes are used to make various things:
- Children's kimono.
- Haori.
- Large pieces of fabric are used to make handbags and other accessories.
- The fabric is also used to repair a similar kimono.
If a traditional Japanese suit was damaged below the waist, it could be worn with hakama - wide pants similar to a skirt. There were also craftsmen who managed to unravel a damaged kimono from threads and weave them into new fabric, equal in width to a man’s obi. This method of updating clothing was called saki-ori.
Color
In addition to the design, the colors of the kimono also have symbolic meaning. Additionally, the pigments used to achieve certain shades are also characteristic. The dyes seem to embody the spirit of the plants from which they are extracted. Any medicinal properties of the plants are also considered to be transferred to the fabric. For example, blue comes from indigo, which is used to treat bites, so wearing blue cloth was believed to ward off snake and insect bites.
Color was given particular importance several centuries ago. For example, clothing in red and purple was quite significant. Therefore, one of the traditions was that only members of the imperial family could wear such a kimono. Colored clothing with bright patterns was prohibited for commoners.
Nowadays, the color of the outfit depends on the degree of formality of the ceremony. When performing the full ceremony, only a black kimono is worn. For example, the most formal women's clothing is a black tomesode with a pattern placed only on the hem. Less formal - irotomesode - similar to a kimono in any other color. In particular, at the wedding ceremony, the bride's relatives can only wear black clothes, and the bride's friends can wear irotomesode.
Feminine and masculine
Over the centuries, many different colors, fabrics and shapes of traditional Japanese costume have appeared. There are also different styles of kimono - from frankly frivolous to the most official. The degree of formality of traditional women's clothing is primarily determined by the model, fabric and color. The sleeves on a kimono for a girl are much longer, for an older Japanese woman. In addition, youth traditional clothing is much more complex in terms of embroidery.
The Japanese kimono (for men) has only one shape and is sewn exclusively from fabrics of muted colors. And the formality of clothing is determined by the color and type of accessories, type of fabric, and the number (or absence) of family coats of arms. The most desirable fabric for a Japanese suit is silk. He is the most official. Cotton confidently takes second place. And on the third is polyester, kimonos from which are quite rare.
Nowadays, both men's and women's traditional suits can be purchased in the required size. Since Japanese kimonos are made from one roll of fabric, it is very difficult to find clothes in large sizes. Well, sewing a large suit can be quite expensive. It is reliably known that all sumo wrestlers have clothes made to order.
History and evolution
During the Heian period (794-1192), an early, easy-to-use prototype of the kimono appeared in Japan. As is the case today, this garment consisted of straight cuts of fabric and was designed to fit all body sizes and types.
Eventually, during the Edo period (1603-1868), this type of clothing was called kosode, which literally translates to “small sleeves,” and the size of this type of clothing decreased. Kosode played a particularly important role during this period, as it was worn by all Japanese, regardless of social status, age or gender. Thus, in order to express their individuality and “describe” themselves, they looked for ways to give individuality to their kosodes.
During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the kosode underwent a transformation. The difference between this type of clothing was that this kimono, unlike its predecessor, was worn mainly by women. However, despite these small changes, the basic function of clothing—visual communication—remains the same today.
Deciding on the choice and wearing it correctly
Regardless of what style of martial arts you choose, your form should always look perfect, both at the beginning of training and at the end of it. A sensei (teacher) or a specialist from the relevant department of the store can help you choose the right size, tailoring nuances and additional items of equipment https://www.proball.ru
Let's consider the main factors influencing the purchase of a kimono
The suit should be comfortable, easy to wash and iron, and absorb moisture well. Kimonos made from 100% ecological cotton are perfectly breathable, ideally combining lightness and strength. However, when purchasing such a product, be sure to take into account the gradual shrinkage when washing from 5 to 10 percent.
A kimono made of mixed synthetic fabric (cotton + polyester) does not have the disadvantage of shrinkage, and also has a more attractive snow-white color, which becomes especially valuable when participating in competitions or demonstrations.
The smooth or woven texture of the fabric does not really matter; here it is based on your own taste. The only factor that should be taken into account is that a smooth kimono must be ironed after each wash and very carefully.
The color of the traditional keikogi at the training stage is predominantly white, symbolizing in Japanese culture the “color of pure thoughts,” that is, the student’s modesty and readiness for obedience and constant improvement under the guidance of the sensei. A blue suit may be needed at the competition stage, but black is predominantly the color of a teacher who has achieved the highest degree of mastery in a particular martial art.
A high-quality kimono that is correctly chosen in size will last at least a year. At the same time, for the purposes of personal hygiene and maintaining a neat wrestling appearance, the suit must be washed at least twice a week, hanging out to dry after each training session.
Modern Japanese traditional clothing
So, what a kimono is in the traditional sense is already clear. But today, designers and artists have rethought this concept. They have come up with unique ways to preserve Japanese heritage and showcase its beauty. Very often, the outfit is worn by models, since the kimono looks very impressive in the photo.
Apart from those kimonos worn daily by the elderly or performers of traditional arts, it is not very common these days, but is still worn on special occasions such as weddings and funeral ceremonies.
The popularity of the outfit has decreased partly due to its very high cost. Also problematic for many is the process of putting it on and tying the obi (decorative belt): all this is a complex procedure that is beyond the capabilities of many modern young women. The problem, as a rule, is connected not only with how to put on this element of the wardrobe - you also need to know how to tie a kimono. To do it right, girls must ask their mothers to help them or take a course in a special school.
FAQ
How much does a karate gi for children cost?
Prices for a kimono for a girl or boy with a height of 110-150 cm are 515-10960 rubles.
Where can I buy a karate gi?
Karate kimonos are widely represented in the windows of sporting goods stores. It is better to buy kimonos from trusted online stores, with a guarantee for the product and related documents. A store with a large selection of kimonos and reasonable prices:
Rocky Shop https://rocky-shop.ru/ekipirovka-dlya-edinoborstv/ekipirovka-dlya-karate/kimono-dlya-karate/
What is the most expensive karate gi from Japan?
The most expensive kimono from Japan costs more than $10,000; the products are hand-stitched by Japanese craftsmen from the MATSURU factory.
How to starch a karate kimono?
After washing, a child's or adult's kimono needs to be starched. Experts recommend diluting the starch to a jelly state and adding the suit to a container of water. Dry the product in a vertical position.
How to fold a karate gi correctly?
A karate kimono should always be folded. The procedure is quite simple. Simply unfold the jacket on a flat surface and place the pants on top. Lay one sleeve along the jacket, then the second. Roll the kimono tightly into a cup, wrap it with a belt and tie it in a knot.
Who wears a black karate gi?
Black kimono is worn by instructors and professionals who have achieved a high level of karate skill.
What is the difference between a kimono for judo and karate?
In a kimono for judo training, the sleeves and collar are additionally reinforced, the edges of the jacket, up to the wrist, are lowered along the body. The length of the legs is up to the ankle joint. The color of the clothes is blue or white.
In karate uniforms, the pants reach mid-calf. The jacket has three-quarter sleeves. The color of clothing is traditionally white, red, black.
How to wash a karate gi for the first time?
Karate kimonos are washed in the following sequence:
- Turn the clothes inside out and carefully place them in the drum of the machine.
- Add powder for washing cotton fabrics to the compartment.
- Set the water temperature to 30 degrees, set the mode for washing cotton fabrics.
- They start the machine and wait for it to finish.
At the end of washing, remove children's or adult clothes from the drum of the washing machine, straighten them and hang them on a hanger in a vertical position.
Wearing traditional clothing in modern Japan
Women now wear kimonos when practicing traditional arts such as the tea ceremony or attending ikebana classes. Girls and young single women wear furisode, a colorful long-sleeved kimono tied with a colorful obi. Made from fabric with simple geometric patterns, it is called edo-komon and is considered casual wear.
At weddings, the bride and groom often change clothes several times. Traditionally, the bride wears a shiromuku - a heavy, embroidered white kimono. The groom wears a black robe made of silk with the family crest on it, a hakama (wide pants or pleated trousers) and a black haori.
In January every year, twenty-year-old girls and boys celebrate their coming of age. Traditional Japanese attire is worn for the holiday. Most women wear colorful kimonos, often with a fur boa. It is also worn on New Year's Eve. Children's kimonos are worn for the Shichi-go-san holiday, during which children's birthdays are celebrated everywhere.
In the cold season, kimonos made from woolen fabrics are sometimes worn. Light-colored cotton yukata are worn by men and women during the summer months and after bathing at onsen (hot spring resorts) and ryokan (traditional inns). They are often worn with wooden shoes. Today, the bright colors of yukata are common at summer festivals and fireworks displays, and are especially popular among young women and children.
Varieties and differences
Due to the fact that martial arts, and in particular Japanese martial arts, have many different practices and trends, the choice of kimonos as combat costumes is also quite wide. Practical Japanese came up with the idea of replacing part of the word “keikogi” depending on what kind of martial practice we are talking about.
Judogi is the traditional form of judo. A standard set of clothing for a judoka should be made of dense and durable fabric with well-treated seams, since the main techniques of martial art are grips, painful holds and strangulations. A judoka's jacket should be made with reinforcement and with sleeves reaching to the wrists, and pants should be as wide and long as possible to protect the skin from friction with sports equipment and not limit movements.
In Aikidogi, the most important element is the collar, which must be very strong and at the same time soft in order to help avoid discomfort for the fighters during lapel grips. At the same time, the aikido kimono is distinguished by narrower and shorter sleeves, and a cut of the jacket in the back area, and not along the side seams.
The widest range of choices is “karategi”. The striking martial art of karate minimizes powerful holds and chokes. Therefore, the karateka’s uniform should be light and thin with short sleeves. It is even possible that they will be completely absent in the summer. Demonstrating powerful striking lunges requires maximizing the fighter's mobility and speed. Therefore, the most suitable material would be brushed or slightly ribbed lightweight and smooth cotton, providing freedom of movement and additional comfort.
It is advisable for karatekas to have at least two fighting suits: a light and soft one for kumite (fights) and a suit made of dense rustling fabric for kata (a set of demonstration exercises). A heavier density fabric will increase the expressiveness of the sound when performing the demonstrated movements.
Other existing kimonos, or keikogi, such as jiu-jitsu kimono, kendogi, sambovka, taekwondo dobok and others, have both certain similarities and differences with those described above. Trainers from a particular federation, as well as specialists from the online store https://www.proball.ru, will help you understand their diversity.
Types of kimono
In addition to the already mentioned types of traditional attire, there are others.
Children's everyday kimono is called hanten. Female species include:
- Yukatu is casual clothing, which is a light cotton robe. It is worn in the warm season and at home, most often sewn from pastel-colored fabrics with floral motifs.
- Iromuji, which is also an everyday garment worn for certain ceremonies, arts, or certain crafts.
- Komon is another type of casual clothing that is distinguished by its richness of decoration.
- Tsukesagi - plain clothes for going out.
- Kurotomesode is black clothing with expensive trim, intended for married women who attend important events.
Men's kimonos are not so diverse:
- sama – casual clothing worn for physical work; it is made of black or gray fabric;
- Jinbei is an analogue of yukata; in addition to a cotton jacket, shorts are also worn;
- tanzen - outerwear, a Japanese version of a coat;
- happ, which is a universal jacket with narrow sleeves, which is sewn from cotton.
It is a mistake to call kimono clothing for traditional martial arts. In fact, such clothing in a broad sense is called dogi, and the name options depend on one or another type of martial arts: karategi for karate, judogi for judo, etc.
Selecting images
When choosing a kimono, you should not adhere to any standards, because in principle they do not exist. Let's create some images:
- For office work, you should choose a shortened kimono. You can combine it with a fitted dress in a plain light or dark tone. A kimono jacket looks very harmonious in combination with narrow trousers or a pencil skirt. You can wear a plain top or shirt under the kimono.
- For everyday wear, a suitable combination with skinny jeans or trousers, with dresses and skirts of any length with a fitted or straight cut. Under a kimono, it is best to wear things that will not have any fasteners, these are sweaters, T-shirts, tank tops, shirts or blouses. If we talk about shoes, it goes well with heels or flat soles, the main thing to remember is that the design of the shoes is sophisticated and not rough.
- For an evening out, you can wear a kimono robe, length to the very toes, in combination with blue shorts and a top. Short boots with low heels are suitable as shoes.
Watch an interesting video here:
How to wear a kimono
Tabi (white cotton socks) are worn along with traditional clothing; it is also necessary to wear underwear - hadajuban (only women use it); then the nagajuban, the lower cotton kimono. The kimono is wrapped from left to right, regardless of whether it is worn by a man or a woman. Since traditionally this garment does not have buttons, special ties and an obi, a kimono belt, are used to maintain it.
When worn, about two centimeters of the haneri (collar) of the nagayubana should protrude above the collar of the kimono. According to tradition, the collar should cover the neck, which is considered one of the most sensual parts of the female body. A loose collar that reveals where the neck meets the back can only be worn by geisha.
Wear a kimono for a comfortable workout
Sports uniforms for martial arts have their own wearing rules, and each student must initially learn how to properly put on a kimono and tie a belt. The main purpose of a simple jacket, trousers and belt is to ensure freedom of movement for the wrestler, comfort and independence from the details of clothing during a fight or performance.
- We put on pants. Many of them already have an elastic waistband, but if it doesn’t exist, we tie the laces at the waist as loosely as possible and lower the ends inside the pants.
- We put on the jacket, bring the right side under the left front of the jacket and tie it with additional side strings. This allows you not to overdo it with the smell and provides additional comfort during training. At this stage, let's try to stretch a little and turn at the waist to make sure there is complete freedom of movement.
- We tie the belt on the jacket. The variety of tying methods in different karate schools is amazing, but first let’s look at one of the simplest:
- hold the belt in front of you, stretching the ends in both directions;
- having wrapped the belt around itself and crossed the ends on the back, we return forward and overlap the right end with the left;
- Now you need to pull the right end from the bottom up simultaneously under the left and the main closed part of the belt. Forming a small semicircle, we return the leading edge of the belt to the right, overlapping it with the other;
- We tie the resulting ends with a regular knot, threading the hanging end of the belt into the resulting semicircle.
