Differences Between Karate And Jujitsu Gi

After thousands of years evolving informally between families and schools, karate and judo were both organized and centralized during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Part of this organization included adopting uniform standards for belts and gis -- the loose-fitting outfit worn in karate classes. Although both karate and judo uniforms stem from the same roots, they have some specific differences related to the wear they receive during a class.

Uniform Basics

Both karate and judo uniforms -- called "judogi" and "karategi" in Japanese -- conform to a similar template. Both consist of loose pants with a long-sleeved jacket worn over the top. Both uniforms are tied closed using a colored belt that represents the expertise and time in study of the person wearing the uniform.

Jackets

Karate jackets tend to be light and flowing, allowing for air flow, comfort and mobility. Although judo jackets are also loose to allow free movement, they are made of thick, quilted fabric. Judo gis are thicker so that they can stand up under the twisting and pulling that's part of a normal judo practice or match.

Pants

The pants of karate and judo gis are more similar than the jackets, both being made of loose-cut and light fabric. However, most judo gis have extra thick patches sewn in at the knees. As with the jackets, this thicker fabric is there because judo practice is harder on the knees than most karate styles.

Usage

In judo practice and competition, twisting, wrenching and pulling on the gi itself is a common part of the sport. Judo even has specific techniques based on using the gi as a choking or tripping tool. Karate gis are mostly just clothing -- although a few moves might be practiced as a defense against a clothing grab, heavy wear on the gi isn't a normal part of the art.

Color

Traditional karategis are white. Judogis worn in practice are white, but competitive judo players also own a blue gi for competition. Both white and blue judogis are structurally identical. The different color is to make it easier to differentiate between two players during a match. However, it's worth noting that many modern school deviate from tradition by using karategis of different colors, or multicolored gis.

Belts

The belt ranking systems of karate and judo are similar, but can follow a different pattern. There is no centralized authority that governs ranking in all karate schools -- different karate organizations follow their own rules for belt rank order. A typical belt rank progression for karate follows the example set by Shotokan: white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, red, brown, black. Judo ranking is more centralized, due mostly to its status as an Olympic sport. Judo ranking follows a progression of white, brown, black -- with highly advanced masters wearing white-and-red, or solid red, belts.