Judo uniforms

Judo kimono: what is it?

Japanese martial art par excellence, judo is practiced (like other martial arts) with a kimono.  But what is a judo kimono?... As a professional judoka, you can do without the answer to this question on the definition of a judo kimono. However, a little reminder will teach you more about this essential equipment in the practice of your favorite martial art.

A little reminder on the definition of a (judo) kimono
The kimono is, the term commonly used (wrongly) to designate the outfits used in the practice of martial arts. But in Japan (where judo was born), this term includes all types of traditional clothing of the empire. On the other hand, to distinguish the judo kimono from other outfits, the Japanese use the term "judogi". So, the judogi (or if you want, the judo kimono), was originally the clothing worn by the Japanese to practice judo. Since then, it has become a uniform now common throughout the world.

General information on judogi

The Judo kimono comes in 2 different colors. White is the color used by the overwhelming majority of judokas. But there are blue judogis which, used during competitions, have the role of differentiating the fighters... Regardless of their color, (Japanese) judogis all have the same composition:

• The jacket (uwagi, in Japanese), which is made up of the skirt, sleeves and lapels;

• Pants (zubon), which have a drawstring;

• The belt (or obi): its color depends on your level of practitioner. The judo belt must be made of cotton only and can be embroidered.

Note: to combine business with pleasure, you can complete your judo outfit with zooris. These are traditional Japanese sandals made from rice straw.

Judogi size: how to choose it?

Neither too tight nor too wide: this is how your judogi should be. Suffice to say that you must opt for the ideal size when you need to buy a judo kimono. But how to make the right choice, so as to benefit from it for as long as possible? Kimonos get their strength from their cotton weave. Despite its resistance, this material is known for its ability to shrink very quickly when washed. For this reason, avoid taking your actual size into account and choosing a judogi of the same size when purchasing your judo kimono. On the other hand, think about an outfit whose size is about 5 cm (centimeters) larger than yours. For illustration purposes, if your height is 175 cm, the kimono size to choose should be 180 cm. However, if you have a thin body shape, there is no problem in choosing a size that corresponds exactly to yours. But what about when it comes to choosing the size of your child's judo kimono? Please note above all that the sizes of judogi kimonos for children are between 100 and 150 cm. Considering that your child measures 133 cm, consider buying him a 140 cm judo kimono (an additional 5 to 10 cm constitutes the recommended safety margin for the purchase of children's kimonos). But in all cases, the judogi pants are equipped with a drawstring to be able to adapt them to the size.

Judo kimono model: how to choose it?

How to choose the appropriate Judo kimono model? Before having the answer to this question, remember that judo is a combat sport. It is also and above all a martial art of grip (which means that you must necessarily be grabbed by your opponent, and vice versa). Therefore, the practice of judo requires a judogi that is at least resistant... To return to the question of the model to choose, remember that this choice is made depending on whether it is a judogi intended for training or competitions. Here we are going to focus on the model of kimonos for competitors, therefore for professional judokas like you!

Which model and weight of kimonos for adult competitors should you choose?
Doing championship judo is about more than mastering fighting techniques – or, if you like, judo techniques. You must also prove your professionalism through the quality of your kimono on the tatami puzzles. To do this, it is obvious that you must opt for a model resistant to the traction of your opponent. A model of such a characteristic is usually made from thick canvas. We are talking here about weight, that is to say the elasticity and density of the canvas. The strength and resistance of your judogi depend above all on the strength of this weight. Therefore, the model to prioritize is the sashiko type (or grain of rice)

What weight for the kimono of a child judoka in competition?
Do you have one or more children who are competitive judokas and you want to buy them kimonos that suit them? Always focus on thickness and resistance. These qualities are ideally found in a weight greater than or equal to 350 g per m2. For your child's training sessions, choose a weight of 190 g/m2 instead.

What to remember from judo kimono models?
Your judogi must be, as much as possible, resistant to traction, deformation and wear. It should ideally be made from pure poly-cotton so that it is more comfortable and does not shrink easily from washing. On the other hand, kimonos whose weave has a low cotton composition lose a few centimeters after only the first 3 washes. In short, think about the extra 5 to 10 cm when choosing the size of your judogi. However, whether it tends to shrink or not, it must obviously be well maintained.

How to maintain your judo kimono?
Because the very first washes impact its elasticity, your judogi must be well maintained so that its shrinkage is limited as much as possible. Therefore, it is useless to specify that precaution must be taken. It is therefore recommended – to wash it – to proceed as follows:

• Prioritize cold washing during the first 2 to 3 operations

• Continue with a wash at 30-40°C (degree Celsius)

• During each wash, remember to rub stain-sensitive areas with a stain remover

• Consider using bleach if your judo kimono is white.

• Avoid, as much as possible, the dryer to dry your judogi…