Getting A Grip On The BJJ Kimono [article from Articleranks]

Getting A Grip On 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 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi of today has a long and distinguished history. Similar in appearance to the judogi from which it is derived, it comes down to the modern world of martial arts through Japanese culture. The early Japanese wore two-piece, loose fitting clothing which was worn by both genders. This clothing eventually gave rise to the keiko-gi, the traditional martial arts uniform of the twenty-first century.

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 bjj-gi or just gi displays a variety of distinctive features and has seen many innovations. The bjj-gi has seen the recent introduction of rubberized collars and reinforced underarms. Opponents may find it more difficult to grab a rubberized collar than a cloth one. A good, hygienic choice may also proved to be a sound tactical choice. They include minimal use of seaming, a one-piece back which excludes a back seam, and reinforced knees. Some pants can be found with reinforcing below the knees.

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.

While BJJ kimonos can come in a variety of colors, competition rules allow for blue, black and white. Jacket colors must match the pants and of course the belt must be the appropriate rank color. For demonstrations in-house and practice sessions, some clubs have established their own colors which they may encourage their members to use.

tags:kimono,bjj gi,uniform,judo,karate