Martial Arts Costumes

The costume plays a significant role within alland is to show respect for their style, uniformity,
cultures. It allows the individual anonymity tostrength and dedication to their system of study.
basically be whomever they choose to be on theThe color most often used by these styles is
given occasion, whether a party, holiday, or otherwhite for integrity and honor and it is often
festive occasion. Within the martial art culture, theadorned with a patch or several patches which
use of various costumes entails an even moreshows the dedication to their system of study.
secretive and or purposeful use. The ninja forThe color also serves as a recognition of the level
instance would use the uniform to carry outof accomplishment they have achieved within
assassinations or stealthy strikes against theirtheir particular system. The uniform color can also
adversaries.vary depending on the system the person
Their costume would allow them to not only notchooses to study. Most often the colors used are
been identified but also to not be heard or seenred, black, white or even blue. However the
or at least keep the exposure to a minimum. Thetraditional Japanese or Korean systems almost
color of the uniform was usually black as mostalways use exclusively white for their
missions would be carried out at night so visibilityrepresentation. Costumes or uniforms are very
was at its weakest. The material was usually of aimportant in the martial arts arena, because they
cotton weave so it moved easily with vary littlecan also be used for utilitarian purposes. In the
resistance for maximum quiet. The ninja wascase of judo or jiu jitsu, uniforms play a vital role
covered from top to bottom, including all the wayin the techniques within the art. They are used to
to the top of the hands with the dark material sograb a hold of and perform certain locking and
the only thing that showed was their eyes. Theygrappling movements to control or subdue the
were very successful with their operations and toopponent. These uniforms differ from the styles
this day their tactics are still used by militaries allof martial arts that do mostly kicks and punches
over the world. The traditional martial artists whoas these have to be made and sewn differently
were not the secretive type used their uniformsso the that uniform does not tear or rip when
for an entirely different purpose. The intent wasbeing used in the matches.