Anyne help me id this tournament gi?

[Philx123]

got it off ebay for £3.50. It's got no manufacturer name, but looks really good quality. It's heavyweight cotton, crisp and makes a great noise. It's got a really short skirt, but long sleeves (down to my wrists). There's a club badge (I think), though I guess this has nothing to do with the manufacturer. Here are some images:

Just curious, really. But it would be nice to think I scored a bargain.

Thanks.

[Spartacus Maximus]

The Japanese caracters read " karate" and "karate do". The ones inside the red circle read "karate" and in white thread under the word "tournament" it reads"Eikoku sei" which translates exactly to "made in England". The patch represents the okinawan karate style uechi ryu but there is no club name or organization name anywhere. There is also no manufacturer or brand name on the gi anywhere.

Also judging by the quality of the embroidery for the Japanese character it is most definitely a European brand. Without a clue for the brand name, the only hope in identifying the gi is if someone recognizes the tag in the photo. Maybe a search for U.K brands and makers of martial arts supplies would get results. How many could there possibly be is also a very good question.

[Philx123]

Oh, that's a shame. I was half hoping it was some mythical gi fashioned in the wilds of Okinawa by the aged fingers of a master seamster.

"Made in England". I bet it will be somewhere like Barnsley.

Still, £3.50. Can't complain.

Thanks for the help.

One last one, do you think the black trim on the lapel denotes it should only be worn by a black belt? Is there a convention for that?

[Spartacus Maximus]

As far as I am aware of the only gis with black trim are used in Korean styles and in that case it is the entire trim and lapel width that is black. Generally karate uses plain white or natural unbleached cotton. I have seen other colours but usually these were for tournament teams and such, not regular training.

Also for your information there is only one brand made in Okinawa and that is Shureido.