According to the Kodokan Judo Academy in Tokyo, Jigoro Kano, (1860-1938). the founder of Judo started the use of colored belts for different grades or ability levels
Kano Sensei, in his youth, studied Kito-Ryu jujutsu. Later, by absorbing techniques from other schools such as Yoshin Ryu, he created Judo (柔道) as a physical activity for all people, from Yawara, the ancient samurai method of violently subduing an armed enemy.
When Kano was a jujutsu student, instructors wore strong jackets decorated with diagonal lines of stitching similar to a modern kendo jacket. The color and sometimes the degree of elaboration of the stitching would distinguish the instructor’s rank and experience.
Kano’s idea was to create an art that everyone could practice regardless of income, social status, or gender. Buying expensive new training jackets at every promotion was beyond most people, so he substituted a colored belt instead to denote the wearer’s ability.
Description
Meijin Shihan Karate Belt
…is designated “Premium” grade because, unlike lower quality Shihan belts from other suppliers, they have 16 red sections and 15 white. Made to a quality standard that reflects the ability and experience of those qualified to wear them.
Bright red is the most fugitive of dyes (color runs) but because chemical based red dyes tend to be neither people nor environment friendly, we chose to go with the more expensive but less “fast” traditional dyes. Hence the warning “Dry clean only!”
The higher grades among you will remember a time when the better quality uniforms had a distinct bluish tint. The chemical responsible for this finish was ultimately determined to cause skin problems, and subsequently abandoned for safer, more traditional compounds.
While we make every effort to standardize belt lengths, as they are hand made they can vary slightly. If you need a belt of a precise length, ask us when you order and we will do our best to find one that meets your requirements.
As with all our belts, these embroider beautifully, so please check our embroidery section for the designs that are available, and read this article if you need translations. We can, of course, also create custom designs.
Size 4=102”; 5=110”; 6=118”; 7=126”; 8=134”; 9=142”.
