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Keikogi (稽古着) (keiko, 'practice',gi, 'dress' or 'clothes'), also known asdōgi (道着) orkeikoi (稽古衣),[a] is a traditional uniform worn for training inJapanese martial arts and their derivatives. Emerging in the late 19th century, thekeikogi was developed byjudo founderKanō Jigorō.[1]
Japanese martial arts historianDave Lowry speculates that Kanō derived the uniform's design from the uniforms of Japanese firefighters' heavy hemp jackets,hikeshi banten (半纏).[1] By 1920, thekeikogi as it exists today was worn by Kanō's students for judo practice; a photo displayed in theKodokan (judo headquarters) taken in 1920 shows Kanō himself wearing a modernkeikogi.[1]: 40
Until the 1920s,Okinawan karate practice was usually performed in everyday clothes. Given the social climate between the Japanese and Okinawans during this time, karate was seen as brutish compared to Japanese martial arts, which had their roots insamurai culture, such asjujutsu. To help market karate to the Japanese,Gichin Funakoshi – the founder ofShotokan karate and the instructor responsible for importing karate to mainland Japan – adopted a uniform style similar to Kanō's design.[1]: 41
Over time, karate practitioners modified thekeikogi for karate by lightening the weave of the fabric, and adding strings to the inside of the jacket, tied to keep the jacket closed. The jacket is also held closed by a belt orobi.
The top part of thekeikogi is called theuwagi (上着, 'upper'). The trousers of thekeikogi are calledshitabaki (下穿き,lit. 'underpants'), orzubon (ズボン, 'trousers').
In modern times, white, black, blue and indigo are the most common colours ofkeikogi. In competitive judo, one contestant wears a white uniform, and their opponent wears a royal blue one. However, traditionally, thekeikogi was white in all instances.[1]: 43
Commonly usedkeikogi include:
Keiko can also be replaced bydō, meaning 'the way', referring to both the martial art and the lifestyle of the martial artist. In this, it is similar to the term for Korean martial arts uniforms,dobok.
