Keikogi: Difference between revisions

{{nihongo|'''''Keikogi'''''|稽古着 }} or ''''dōgi'''' ({{nihongo2|道着}}), is a uniform for training in [[Japanese martial arts]] and their derivatives. (''Keiko'' means practice, ''gi'' means dress or clothes.) The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by [[judo]] founder [[Kanō Jigorō]].<ref name="autogenerated39">{{Cite book |last=Lowry |first=Dave |authorlink=Dave Lowry |title=In the Dojo |publisher=Weatherhill |year=2006 |location=Boston |page=39 |isbn=978-0-8348-0572-9}}</ref> Japanese martial arts historian [[Dave Lowry (martial arts)|Dave Lowry]] speculates Kanō derived the uniform's design from the uniforms of Japanese firefighters' heavy hemp jackets, ''hanten'' (半纏).<ref name="autogenerated39"/> By 1920, the keikogi as it exists today was worn by Kanō's students for judo practice. The [[Kodokan]] (judo headquarters) has a photo taken in 1920 that shows Kanō wearing a modern keikogi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lowry |first=Dave |authorlink=Dave Lowry |title=In the Dojo |publisher=Weatherhill |year=2006 |location=Boston |page=40 |isbn=978-0-8348-0572-9}}</ref>

In modern times, white, black, blue, and indigo are the most common colors of keikogi. In competitive judo, one contestant wears a white uniform and his or her opponent wears a blue one. However, traditionally, the keikogi was white.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lowry |first=Dave |authorlink=Dave Lowry |title=In the Dojo |publisher=Weatherhill |year=2006 |location=Boston |page=43 |isbn=978-0-8348-0572-9}}</ref>