Origins of the Judogi

**DCS** · Posted On: 11/27/2005 2:31pm

Quoting from an interesting article:

(Bold are mine)

In addition to a standard syllabus in 1906 Kodokan Judo for the first time established a standard Dogi, (Stevens 41). The Dogi established by Kano may have been based on the traditional garb of Japan, or it may have been based on the clothing used in the wrestling style of Cornwall and Devon (in the U.K.). Both of these styles of wrestling required the contestants to “wear loose jackets and take holds only above the waist or on any part of the jacket.”

The cornish wrestling jacket:

The article is worth reading, btw.

**FictionPimp** · Posted On: 11/27/2005 3:11pm

interesting read.

**Method2Madness** · Posted On: 11/27/2005 4:37pm

wow i had no idea thats where the gi originated. interesting.

**Used Up** · Posted On: 11/27/2005 5:35pm

Good article. Who would've thought it?

**roly** · Posted On: 11/27/2005 6:58pm

i dont believe it

how come karate uniforms have the same type of uniform (thinner material = the only real difference)

**Lane** · Posted On: 11/27/2005 10:36pm

Originally Posted by roly

i dont believe it

how come karate uniforms have the same type of uniform (thinner material = the only real difference)

The article states that karateka adopted the judo uniform, so it would appear that this objection is nullified.

**roly** · Posted On: 11/27/2005 11:09pm

fair point, but the fact that a gi looks quite similar to a kimono cant be ignored.

i'm still quite sceptical

**Lane** · Posted On: 11/28/2005 3:01am

Actually, I'm not so sure the kimono/gi comparison pans out. My kimono is much longer than my uwagi, although it does wrap around in the same way. Plus, kimono have large baggy sleeves. And kimono are not worn with pants, but with a hakama, which is like a big divided skirt.

I can definitely see the relation between the kimono/gi, but I wouldn't discount the influence of foreign styles of clothing on it as well.

**JohnnyFive** · Posted On: 11/28/2005 9:13am

I would have to see some sort of cite before concluding that that is where the gi originated. Jackets are pretty similar from culture to culture, and I really doubt that Jigoro Kano would study Jiujitsu and then decide to formulate a throwing art based on a jacket from the UK.

**Matt Bernius** · Posted On: 11/28/2005 9:58am

I have similiar academic concerns Johnny. We know that the Dogi resembles cultural wear, without futher information this is at best an unsubstantiated folk explanation for it, and one that seems to ignore a number of rather more obvious culutral explanations.

That said I need to read the article again.
- Matt