Why White Uniforms?
Why We Wear White Karate-do Gi
The white keikogi (practice cloth) has several utilities. As a cultural garment, it has been speculated that Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo, adorned his students in keikogi that derived from the heavy, hemp-weaved clothes of firefighters of the late 19th century. In the dojo, we don the gi so as to not ruin our street clothes through the rigours of training.
Let us examine the deeper meaning of the white gi, beginning with an excerpt from the tale of Miyamoto Musashi, the greatest swordsman and hero in all Japanese lore, and Muso Gonnosuke, a famed rival of his.
“Muso Gonnosuke has come” Musashi’s servant announced, while Musashi sculptured quietly. “He is outside your door with eight students. They are awaiting an audience with you. What shall I tell him?”
“Show him in”, Musashi requested.
The servant reappeared with Muso and his eight students around him. Muso, although it was summer, wore a coat with the Rising Sun emblazoned on the back and the symbols Heiho Tenkai Ichi (Number One Strategist Under Heaven) embroidered down the entire left side of the coat. On the right side, Musashi could read “Nippon Kaizan Muso Gonnosuke”, denoting his fame in Japan.
The white gi symbolizes an aim of humility and modesty. White is void, it is pure; a blank canvas worn during each new experience in a life of karate practice. Regardless of how many weeks, months, and years of training one accomplishes, a plain white gi worn for participation in class serves to demonstrate a new beginning upon each bow-in; a commitment to an open heart and mind. It demonstrates community in the dojo; a positive conformity to a group of individuals who seek an activity of self-improvement. This same goal spans the entirety of Japanese budo.
Classical training based on health, wellness, and education is not boastful or exhibitionist. It has nothing to prove. Wearing a white gi serves a daily reminder that every student started off at one point, and the same empty-minded attitude to training should follow us into each class henceforth.
Muso was hard-pressed and could do nothing but retreat. He had never faced such a formidable opponent. The slab of wood Musashi swung seemed alive. Muso could not muster enough speed to counterattack. Musashi then tapped Muso on the sleeve under the arm and, as the students gasped in amazement, he dealt a terrific blow on the forehead, dropping him like a log.
Musashi smiled, turned to face the students, and said “Take your teacher away. He is not hurt. The only thing bruised is his ego and he will probably have a slight headache. Tell him the essence of the martial arts is self-development. Clothes cannot improve the skill.”