Grappling With The BJJ Kimono
Just as with a warrior of old, martial artists of today give careful consideration to their equipment. And just as in days of old, practitioners of modern martial arts have for their perusal a vast array of vendors and manufacturers vying for their attention. Today's BJJ kimono serves its owner much like a fine suit of armor served a warrior of old.
The modern bjj-gi is derived from the more familiar keiko-gi which has its roots in the simple clothing of the early Japanese peoples. Both men and women wore clothing made up of two piece sets which allowed for ease of movement. Eventually, this style was adopted by the various martial arts schools where it came to be called keiko-gi.
Keiko means practice, an essential component of all martial arts. Gi, meaning clothing, is a word which is most appropriately used with a "partner" word in Japanese. Outside of Japan the word is often found used alone in reference to uniforms used by martial artists. A gi generally consists of three parts; a heavy jacket known as the uwagi, lighter weight draw-string pants called shitabaki, and a cotton self-tie belt, the obi. While a BJJ-gi is similar in many respects to a standard martial arts keiko-gi, the nature of the sport calls for a tighter fit on the cuffs of the jacket and pants. A more streamlined fit of the BJJ-gi limits less manipulation of the fabric by opponents.
The modern martial arts uniform has evolved and undergone many changes. Reinforced underarms and rubberized collars are modern introductions. In addition, seams are reinforced, some pants have reinforcements below the knees, and the seamless back while more comfortable also adds to durability.
The gi is made from cotton cloth. It's available in four distinctive grades. These are known as single weave, double weave, gold weave and platinum weave. However, these weaves are not standardized. The cotton is woven into a sturdy, pre-shrunk, rip-stop fabric. The term "gold weave" is not actually a weaver's sett but a description used referring to the appearance and feel of the fabric.
Single weave fabric is often recommended for beginning students. It's an economic choice, light weight and is easily cared for. Once it becomes clear the student is ready to make a solid commitment to the sport and takes on additional practice sessions, an investment in the heavier weight double weave may well be in order. Double weave fabric makes for a heavier, sturdier garment.
Gold weave fabric represents a serious investment and hence a serious commitment to the sport. It is not so much a distinctive weave as a reference to the type of long stapled cotton fibre used in its construction. Platinum weave is its lightweight version. The higher quality cotton gives the fabric a luster and comfort not found in the other weaves. Yet its durability is comparable to that of double weave. Instructors and competitors often invest in this grade of fabric for their gis.
International competition rules allow competitors to wear a bjj kimono which is black, blue or white. It must be a matching set and be tied with a rank appropriate colored belt. However, additional colors can be found, especially red. These usually represent club colors and may be used for demonstrations and in-house competitions.
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