Name on gi

[cici118]

I'm studying japanese and I can write my name in Katakana so I was thinking that it would be cool having my name written in all my gi. If this idea goes forward I'm going to write it with those pens with special ink for clothes.

I want to write it in black and i'm concerned that with several washes the ink would live black spots in the gi. What do you think? If I do it will I put my gi in danger?

Thanks in advance

[Hawkmoon]

Hi cici1818,

... I 'dunno about putting your Gi in danger, the material as a rule is going to be ok, but I would suggest you have a word with sensei and/or your organization about doing it first!

I am aware of some organizations being very strict about dress code.

The dojo I train in for example frown on such things, saying they are not traditional, adding 'its a fad it will pass'.

Other clubs are happy to allow it, hence I'd say check first, if you are allowed great!

I'd then say check around your local area to have the 'words' stitched' into the cloth so you don't have to worry about fading or ink runs etc.

(The Kyokushin kanji we wear/have on the Gi jacket.)

example:

http://kyokushinkaratepak.nl/

[Wastelander]

Some of us get our names embroidered in katakana at the bottom of the lapel, where the brand label goes. If you were to write it, there, I suspect it would be fine--it's a pretty standard thing to do for most karate styles. Writing it instead of embroidering it is a little unusual, though. I can't say how that would turn out after washing. I did write my name on a gi in Sharpie, once, and that was okay for a while, but it did bleed over time until you could barely make it out.

[nyramat911]

Hi there,

I agree with those above me--definitely something to ask your Sensei before going ahead with it.

When I was a kid one of the visiting Japanese instructors would write our names on our gis for us (we later figured out it was so he could remember them!) but he just used a sharpie and it turned out fine. However, as Wastelander said, it may bleed over time--mine didn't bleed, but continued washing meant that it faded beyond recognition within a year or so.

[cici118]

Some of us get our names embroidered in katakana at the bottom of the lapel, where the brand label goes. If you were to write it, there, I suspect it would be fine--it's a pretty standard thing to do for most karate styles. Writing it instead of embroidering it is a little unusual, though. I can't say how that would turn out after washing. I did write my name on a gi in Sharpie, once, and that was okay for a while, but it did bleed over time until you could barely make it out.

But it didn't leave ink spots in your gi, did it?

[Wastelander]

Some of us get our names embroidered in katakana at the bottom of the lapel, where the brand label goes. If you were to write it, there, I suspect it would be fine--it's a pretty standard thing to do for most karate styles. Writing it instead of embroidering it is a little unusual, though. I can't say how that would turn out after washing. I did write my name on a gi in Sharpie, once, and that was okay for a while, but it did bleed over time until you could barely make it out.

But it didn't leave ink spots in your gi, did it?

No, it didn't. Of course, the area you would write it on doesn't really come in contact with the rest of the gi.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Like everyone has said check with your sensei first (especially if he is the Chief Instructor/Owner). That way if he doesn't approve then you won't do it.

The only thing we at my dojo put our name on as a way people can identify us is with our black belts where it can be embroided with our name on it.

If he doesn't mind then do it, probably use stitching to make it last longer and will keep you with a piece of mind that it won't damage the gi as much. Also it won't fade after years of training + washing.

[cici118]

Thank you everyone! I ended up doing it and it looks pretty good.

[Hawkmoon]

cool!

Do you have any pics you can share and show us please?

I may belong to a traditionalist school and system, and as a result I am guided away from such ideas accordingly, but I do like the idea privately, it makes it a personal thing in my mind.

[cici118]

cool!

Do you have any pics you can share and show us please?

I may belong to a traditionalist school and system, and as a result I am guided away from such ideas accordingly, but I do like the idea privately, it makes it a personal thing in my mind.

Sorry for the lateness but I wanted to upload pictures of my regular gi because i did it in one of the gis I use at home to train.

Now the problem is that I don't know how to put the images here since they are not on a website but stored in my computer

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