If you ever want to get in an argument on a martial arts forum, bring up the question of whether it is proper to call a karate uniform a "gi." Although this is a commonly accepted term in the west, many traditional martial artists will point out that this phrase is not usually considered proper in Japanese or Okinawan dojo.
"Gi" can be translated as clothing. On its own, it's not specific. It's more common to make it specific, therefore, by hooking it to the purpose of the clothing: karate-gi, judo-gi, iai-gi, or the more general keikogi (practice clothing). Perhaps the most common term is Homer Simpson's favorite, the do(h)gi. Most of the traditional Japanese brands of dogi (which can translate as "clothes for the Way") will market them as such.
If you're hanging out in traditional circles, dogi is a term that will be accepted by virtually everyone. However, in most of the west, "gi" is fine. As with everything in traditional martial arts, find someone more advanced and do what they do. Then, if you're wrong, rat them out! It's what Homer would do.
Comments