The Karate dogi or gi is the outfit worn for Karate training. It consists of a jacket (uwagi) and trousers (zubon) made of white cotton or canvas and a belt (obi), the color of which indicates the rank of the student. The Kenshi-kai school allows one to have badges (crests) on the left side of the chest and on the right sleeve.

Keiko refers to training and gi is the uniform. So Keiko-gi refers to training uniform. In order for the Japanese to recognize Okinawan Karate as a legitimate martial art the Okinawans had to for one devise a uniform and ranking system. Both the belt and ranking system were adopted from Judo in the early years of the last century.

The uniform for the most part is used so one does not have to train in his or her street clothes. Before the uniform was adopted it was not uncommon to practice in one’s underwear. The belt and uniform should be treated as you would any other item of clothing. Keep them clean and tidy. However don’t wash your belt. You may clean dirty spots but do not wash. The white uniform in fact forces one to pay special attention to cleanliness.

Students of Goju-Ryu Karate-jutsu wear traditional white keiko-gi. Our crest goes over the heart. Pants are hemmed above the ankle and sleeves are cut above the wrist, by the forearm.

The white keiko-gi is the most popular uniform in Okinawa Karate and the only color worn by the Karate-Jutsu student. Instructors may wear black.