The Budo Uniform II

We approach the empty cup. If it appears somewhat larger than before, perhaps this is no accident.

I recall the words of the Bearded Bards of Texas: "Every girl's crazy about a sharp dressed man." Truly, clothes do not make the man, but they do reflect the mental outlook of the inhabitant. Therefore, your Budo uniform should be clean, neat, tidy, and ordered -- like your mind. Let us learn the discipline of the keikogi.

I pour tea into the cup.

As we learned previously, there are but three pieces to the keikogi: uwagi, zubon, and obi. Tradition is important, but failure to recognize innovation leads only to stagnation. Before we examine the keikogi, we must first look at garments never before considered part of the Budo uniform: the accurately, if inelegantly, called "base layer."

Modern fabrics have been developed which can both compress the muscles for support and efficiency and wick away moisture from the skin for cooling comfort. Many compression shorts also include a pocket for an obligatory part of the gentleman's ensemble, the protective cup. Ultra-orthodox traditionalists never thought about a "base layer" beyond the need for an athletic supporter and cup. Simple, cotton t-shirts were disdained; let alone the high-technology fabric t-shirts of the 21st Century. Yet this base layer adds more than comfort, it is an extra layer of protection against chaffing and mat burn, it also contributes to hygiene. Do not allow adherence to tradition to blind you.

There is a traditional order to donning the keikogi. If you are so inclined to learn it as part of the discipline: first is the uwagi, then the zubon, and lastly the obi. This conforms with a Japanese sense of dignity and modesty. The idea is that with the jacket on first, you are "dressed" and ready for an attack. Here in the West, notions of modesty are different. If the goal is to be prepared for sudden attack, most Westerners would feel more comfortable wearing pants. (Ladies, of course, may feel somewhat different.) I believe the order is less important than the rationale. It has been my observation -- furtive as locker room observations must be -- that most men instinctively put on the zubon.

The uwagi is folded left over right. There are several reasons for this. Japanese garments do not have pockets. Personal items were carried inside the fold of the jacket or tucked into the folds of the obi. By folding the clothing left over right, the person's right hand -- and Japanese are overwhelmingly right-handed -- may slip into the jacket to retrieve items. This is important in Budo, in which we may hide small weapons within our uwagi. It is also traditional for the Japanese to dress the dead with the clothes folded right over left, so it is considered ill-omened for the living to dress this way. Although we are taught be many authorities that the way of the warrior is found in death, it is not a condition we desire prematurely.

I pour more tea into the cup.

If you are wearing an uwagi meant for karate practice, there will be ties on either hip to cinch the garment closed and maintain a neat appearance. My Budo is real Budo, and it is often rough and tumble. In the course of real Budo training, these ties may be ripped loose; do not tie them. This is another reason why I suggest the use of a Judo uniform. In the course of real Budo training, it is not unusual for the uwagi to become loose. The Budoka, or practitioner of Budo, should keep the uwagi straight. Some will make a sloppy or worse -- an ostentatious, display of tucking in the uniform. A true Budoka will surreptitiously pull the bottom corners of the uwagi to straighten the uniform without undue attention. If in the course of training, the uwagi flies completely free of the obi, it is proper during a break in the action to turn around, kneel, and quickly undo and retie the obi over the uwagi. These may seem small, but these are details that will reveal volumes about the seriousness of your study of Budo.

The obi is an item that has a mythic status among martial artists. While this status is mostly undeserved, it is still significant. for that reason, I shall address the obi and how to tie it in a separate lesson.

It is currently the vogue for martial artists to sew a multitude of patches onto their uniforms to transform their once pristine white suits into a harlequin's motley. Some of these patches identify the wearer with schools or training federations. Some patches present information about the training of the wearer. Too many patches are commercials and advertisements. Your Budo uniform is a reflection of your Budo attitude. It should reflect the purity and seriousness of your Budo training. Treat your Keikogi with great respect. I say once more: if you intend to practice Budo, wear a Budo uniform. If you intend to act as a clown, wear a clown suit.

Do not sully your honor with patches -- especially on your ass.

I see your cup is full once again to the brim. You must now empty the cup before we begin again.

Thank you for spending time with the Antagonistic Buddha.