Equipment

Clothing

In karate, we wear only a white uniform (kimono) with the club badge and a belt. Any other clothes, jewelry or accessories are inappropriate in karate. The colors of karate belts are white, yellow, orange, green, 2 x blue, 3 x brown, and 9 x black (Dans 1 to 9). Colored belts are for apprentices and black belts are for professionals. Dan 1 is for beginners, and Dan 9 is for highly experienced master.

Originally in Japan, practitioners wore a white kimono, similar to their work attire, and a white belt to close the jacket. The white belt became brown and then black as the training progressed, with the black belt being considered the ultimate goal to achieve.

In a Dojo, where everyone wears a white kimono to symbolize equality, we all have the same value. At home, it is not necessary to wear the kimono.

Protective gear

According to competition rules, participants may or may not wear protective gear. In some cases, it may be allowed or mandatory to wear gloves, a helmet, a mouth guard, shin guards, face guard, cup, foot, etc.

Accessories

All accessories are more of a luxury than necessary for learning karate. We can use cushions or boxing bags to train strikes against real resistance. Plastic or wooden weapons can be used to train defense against these weapons. Tatami mats can be used to train on and have a slightly less hard floor.