The karate gi, also known as the karategi or simply gi, has its roots in traditional Japanese clothing. Before the introduction of the karate gi, martial arts practitioners in Japan often wore traditional clothing such as the samue or yukata.
In the early 20th century, as karate began to gain popularity in Japan, a standardized uniform was developed to distinguish karate from other martial arts. This uniform was based on the traditional Japanese judogi, but with modifications to make it more suitable for karate practice.
The first karate gi was made of heavy cotton canvas and was designed to withstand the rigorous training and sparring of karate. As karate spread to other countries, the karate gi also evolved, with lighter weight fabrics and different colours being introduced.
Today, the karate gi is worn by karate practitioners around the world, and it has become an iconic symbol of the martial art. The design of the gi has remained largely unchanged, with the traditional white color and V-necked jacket still being the most common style. The karate gi is now a staple of many martial arts disciplines and is recognized worldwide as a symbol of dedication, discipline, and respect.