Students of karate are often required to purchase or borrow weapons and equipment as they gain additional belts and rank. According to the online Karate Do Shotokai Encyclopedia, the bo staff, bokken, jo staff and naginata account for only a handful of the weapons styles taught and required in advanced karate class. Karate students curious about specific equipment and gear items should ask their sensei about procuring uncommon or extracurricular equipment.
Uniform and Gi
While it is generally expected that new practitioners will not have a karate uniform, or "gi," for the first few weeks of practice, it is generally recommended that you order your uniform as soon as possible once you begin classes. Aside from the benefits of joining ranks with your peers and classmates in the traditional white attire, the karate gi provides the additional benefit of allowing you enough crotch and hip room to comfortably kick, adopt combat stances and perform advanced footwork without the constraints of conventional clothing. Traditional karate uniforms and gis include white hakama pants and robes fastened by a single belt of corresponding rank tied around the waist.
Bo Staff
The bo staff is a tapered 6-foot staff that serves as the beginning weapon for many different karate styles. While the name "bo" is of Okinawan Japanese origin, a number of international martial arts such as Kung Fu, Systema, Muay Thai, Sanshou and Tae Kwon Do all begin weapons training with a bo staff form. Karate students nearing their green belt in rank are generally required to purchase a bo staff as part of their training equipment as they begin to learn the first and second bo staff forms, or kata. One of the primary reasons for the bo staff being taught as a beginner's weapon is its wide versatility in both offensive and defensive purposes. Karate schools that instruct students in traditional Okinawa training degrees often orient their students with the bo staff before teaching other weapons to help engage students in the basic principles of offensive and defensive combat techniques. Bo staves can be purchased at a number of online karate stores and catalogs and can generally also be bought from your sensei.
Sparring Gear
A considerable amount of the time spent in karate class is used to cover the basics of kata sequences and techniques, allowing students to become proficient in the basic blocks, strikes, kicks, punches and stances of karate. This combat information doesn't become tangible, however, until you begin to engage in controlled combat situations called sparring matches. Sparring gear generally consists of protective gloves and shoes made of foam and plastic that are designed to soften the blows that opponents deliver in a sparring match. While nearly every dojo has sparring gear that students can use for sparring sessions during class, investing in your own pair of protective gloves and shoes is essential for students wanting to compete outside of class. While sparring equipment is generally available online as well as in many martial arts catalogs, it is generally recommended that you try out some before buying to make sure the equipment is comfortable.
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