Today I want to rant a bit about why martial arts schools often force everyone to wear all white. First, I think it’s dumb because we roll around on the floor, and sweat. A darker colored gi would look better longer. They pick up stains from red punching bags, and colored matts. I’m sick of seeing guys with stained collars and pits from wearing old white gis. Also, cheap white light weight 7oz pants get more and more transparent as you wash them. Not to mention it gets transparent while you sweat during class. Maybe the guys don’t care if I can see there old man plaid boxers, but it makes me self-conscious. Second, I think it’s cruel to have females wear white pants. There is a reason most girls remove white and light colored pants and shorts fro their wardrobe around the time they hit puberty. Yes, menstruation. There I said it. Don’t make me say it again.
Ok a little history. I’ve read that the original karate workout style of clothing came from Okinawa. In 1900s and before they didn’t have uniforms, but wore everyday “peasant clothes,” often unbleached cotton. Yes, there is more history about the origins of martial arts coming from India, and SE Asia, but just talking about the Japanese gi for now, so sticking with what they wore in Okinawa and Japan. When karate was formalized into a Ryu and accepted by the government some masters, Gichin Funakoshi of Shotokan, and Chojun Miyagi of Goju Ryu, started requiring the present day gi as a uniform. My research said the white gis in karate where influenced by the gis or technically called “Keigo gi” or “dogi,” worn for judo.
I’ve been told by many instructors “…we wear white as a sign of pure heart.” Do a little online research and you’ll read some of the founders, Chojun, Funakoshi, and Kano Jigoro of Judo moved from off-white unbleached gis to bleached white, again to signify purity.
That said, white is considered mourning wear in some Asian countries. Also, many Chinese styles of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, even Wing Chun often give new students black uniforms, or black pants and a t-shirt. Do we really consider them less pure? Please, can we do away with the purity line? I mean most shodans, black belts and above wear all black. Are they now impure?
It just seems more logical since we are occassional on the the floor, and hitting red and black pads to be wearing white. Unfortunately, my current school is working out of a building/space of another school. The “other school” has one of those after school karate programs. Lots of kids, lots of classes, and probably a snack time, means the floor is a mess. I’ve had to fling stickers, sand, bottle caps and even ants off and away from where I’m working out. Yeah, I’m picky. I’m used to dojos where the students would spend 5-10min after class either mopping/wiping mats, cleaning mirrors, and often times vacuuming. I keep being up my favorite school, Harp Karate, but I remember probably once a week we would either winded/was the mirrors, or vacuum the floor.
Martial Arts schools are often trying and wondering why there are so few women, and girls joining. Let me give you a hint, white pants. Girls for obvious reasons especially in there early teens do not wear white pants.
I would like to propose black pants for all, or like some Tae Kwon Do and BJJ schools, maybe even a blue gi as soon as you get your first real rank. I know, I know. No one wants to give out expensive $60+ gis to the “limited trial” potential students. Those get in you the door prices need to stay low. I’m guessing 90% of the people who do the free trial, never sign up, and keep the gi for Halloween. Here’s an idea. Take a clue from the Chinese styles. I know a couple Hung Gar, Wing Chun, various Kung fu schools let you wear sweat pants for up to 3 months. I have no stats on how many people actually join for the free gi. Yes, kids and parents probably love it, but for adults, maybe not.
Now I just earned two stripes. As some of you know I always laughed at the need to give people stripes for motivation. I do feel a little weird. At prior schools I always frowned on giving even kids stripes between belts. It felt like a little too much hand holding if kids really need a “participation award,” maybe they should join a sport. I’m not a parent so I maybe wrong, but I’ve seen kids just get more competitive when they have stripes. It may motivate in the beginner, but it seems to backfire later.
AHAHHAA THAT SAID… I have to say I’m proud of my stupid little pieces of electrical tape. The Master said while attaching them, this is not a rank, but rather a way to remind me and any one who may teach for me where you are in the curriculum. As in what I have been shown, not what I’ve accomplished. That explanation helped, but yeah it’s a participation award. Hehe. Also I can see schools that have 12-20 kids a few stripes can help the instructors keep track of what kid should know what. But I’ll leave my opinion on teaching kinds under 12yrs old aside for now. (Ahem daycare)
My point? Yes I understand it’s cheap to give people a nice light 7oz white gi with an intro program. But please, can we get rid of it as soon as possible. WHY?
1) I HATE having to save up my good light colored, no pattern, underwear for training days. Beware of festive undies showing through light white pants.
2) Remember we sweat, which makes the light white pants even more transparent.
3) Once a month wearing all white is an issue. And if you’re female between 10-18 yrs old or 45-55 yrs old that once a month can be 2x a month or more. Trust me you don’t want more detail!
4) See number 3. If I’m having a bad day. I can push through back pain, I can push through cramps, or a headache, but we’re rolling around. Think about it. Black pants save everyone from possible embarrassments.
And lastly, black or blue pants just look cooler. Although I’ve never had blue, but was tempted to join BJJ because of their cool blue gis. Then again Ok this is just me, but BJJ looks super homoerotic to me. (Yeah yeah flame on). Yes, 1st world problems and showing my entitlement ego.
I remember since I moved around and switched schools so often I was only a varifired shodan for a year. After 20 something years of training I got to “legally” wear black pants probably less than 1 yrs. Back injury took me out, for while. Then dojo politics took me out of Isshinryu altogether.
My rant, not world shattering or particularly moving. Remember this blog is an exercise in writing. I’ll work on writing about more serious stuff, like gender issues, once I get my writing brain warmed up. Until then prepare for entertaining and important topics like “Stop calling me ma’am,” and “People at Disney are so Grumpy.”
It is necessary to drink alcohol and pursue other fun human activities. The art (Karate) of someone who is too serious has no flavor.
~ Choki Motobu