The Colors of Gi

Have you ever wondered why some opponents in martial arts wear blue or white Gi? 

Do you think the color of a martial artist's Judogi coordinates with their skill level? 

The reason for having two colors in a competition is so simple yet controversial.

Why the Blue? 

Originally, the judogi was white to symbolize purity. Before the introduction of the blue Gi in 1986, a competitor would wear a red sash on their belt to distinguish the two competitors. Only having a red sash on the uniform made it hard for the judges, referees, and the audience to tell apart the two opponents apart. To help tell the two opponents apart, the blue Gi was born. Despite the color difference, blue is only intended to distinguish between competitors. 

The Conspiracy 

Despite the blue Gi only being used for contrast, people believed there was more to it than that. During the 2004 Olympics, the opponents who wore blue Gi appeared to outperform those in white, leading people to believe blue gis had some sort of advantage. Members of the community also argued the Gi should remain “pure” and only the traditional white should be an authorized uniform.

Because of this controversy, several studies were done to see if color had a psychological effect on the competition. To this day there’s no evidence showing a correlation between color and performance.

Learn more about the history of the gi on our website!

Learn Martial Arts in Ann Arbor 

Are you interested in learning more about martial arts? With JMAC classes, you will feel a sense of community in the dojo. All you have to do is show up!

Contact us today to begin your journey with martial arts in Ann Arbor. 

Understanding Where the Gi started

Do you ever wonder why you’re required to wear certain attire in martial arts?

Knowing the history allows you to have a deeper connection and understanding of the martial arts you practice. 

The Conception of the Judogi

Origin - The Gi was invented by Jigoro Kano Sensei. While Kano was practicing judo, he realized the traditional Japanese kimono was not suitable for practice. After realizing this, he made alterations, such as making the material thicker to allow better anchorage while fighting as well as loosening the fit for better grappling.

Evolution - As time progressed, changes continued to be made to the Gi. Originally only produced in white, the International Judo Federation (IJF) allowed the Gi to be made in blue as well so judges, referees, and the audience could better differentiate the competitors. In addition to color, long sleeves became the “traditional cut” the Gi is now known for.

Standardization - After the design was altered, rules and regulations were set in place. The IJF set rules and guidelines on material specifications, manufacturing, and sizing of the Judogi. To ensure conformity to the rules, a red label is required on the Gi to show compliance. 

Learn more about the Gi on our website!

Learning Martial Arts in Ann Arbor 

If you think martial arts might be for you, come down to our dojo and feel a sense of community. No matter where you’re at in your fitness journey, we’ll make it work! Contact us today to begin your journey with martial arts in Ann Arbor.