The correct way to wear a karate GI?

Wearing the traditional karate uniform correctly. There are many things that vary here in the U.S.A. when it comes to the way martial artists wear their Gi. The word Gi is slang for the original name of Doh-Gi. Those familiar with Korean karate styles know their uniform as a Doh-Bok. Many in Japanese or Okinawan styles simply call their uniform a Gi. Many may not have ever been taught the whole name.

Traditionally there are some rules as to how to correctly wear a Gi. The Gi is to be worn with the left flap of the jacket on the outside (covering the right flap). I see many martial artists that wear the left flap or the right flap on the outside. Tradition states that the left flap is on the outside. Sometimes female students will mistakenly place the right flap on the outside. My guess is that they confuse the wearing of the Gi with western fashion norms. As you may know women’s fashions place the buttons on shirts on the opposite side from male clothes. In the martial arts, tradition states that all students should place the left flap on the outside. The reason for this will be explained a little later.

The Obi (belt or sash) is tied so that the knot forms a square knot. If done correctly the hole in the knot will face the persons left side. When tied correctly the ends of the belt will hang down to the same level. It is considered bad manners to have one end of the belt hanging down below the other end.

The traditions as to why the uniform and belt are worn this way are based on the human body and the beliefs handed down for many ages. A you may know most people tend to be right handed. In ancient China some martial arts masters would train in the iron palm technique. It was known that many of them only trained their left hand. They reasoned that they were more likely to hit an attacker with their right hand. In order to use the iron palm they would be more likely to have made a conscious decision to use it. This prevented them from harming someone without intending to.

Many martial artists bow while placing the left hand open against the closed right fist. This too shows the right or more dominant hand clenched in a fist while the left hand remains open. The right fist is meant to signify your trained ability to fight (death). The open left hand signifies your preference for peace (Life). The left open hand over the closed fist signifies that although we are trained to fight we restrain our fighting nature preferring peace.

The wearing of the karate Gi follows this same concept of preferring peace or life over violence or death. That is why the left flap is placed over the right when wearing the traditional Doh-Gi. Similarly the belt is tied so that the knot hole faces the left side of the body.

Note: There are a few exceptions to this tradition. Some styles allow masters instructors to tie their belt so that the knot hole faces the right side of their body. There is another time when this may be done. In some styles if the head of the style (Soke) passes away they bury them in their Doh-Gi. When this is done the flaps of the dead masters Gi are reversed (right flap on the outside) and the belt knot is tied so that the hole faces the right side of the masters body.