UBC Classical Jujutsu Club

Your Gear


What to bring to class:

1. Uniform (Judo-gi), with white belt.
2. Under-shirt. Female students often wear a light T-shirt under their gis. However, some wear a variety of sports tops. The important thing is that it should not be too heavy (or you'll overheat). Under-shirts for men are optional.
3. Athletic protector (for male students) - optional, but recommended! (Webmaster George here - spend the $14 on a protector; you'll thank yourself later!)
    - Protective wear is also available for women, both tops and bottom. (Webmaster George here - I've not heard from female students that they want these items, but if you're in doubt, try a class or two and decide for yourself. Still not sure, e-mail Webmaster Anne for advice on the matter.) Mikado has a selection (see highlighted links); other suppliers also carry comparable items - check the links section.
4. Water (optional again, but recommended) - just don't gulp down too much, or you'll get cramps.

Other Accessories for LATER:

Weapons
On Saturdays, the UBC CJJ Club practises with a variety of traditional wooden weapons. You are NOT expected to buy these right away, but eventually, you will have to do so. Once you join and get into the swing of things, the instructor will generally inform you when you might want to get your own weapons. If the instructor doesn't mention it, ASK!

5. Bo staff - a long, 6-foot staff. Ash or oak woods are good. Do not get a flexible rattan staff; it will quickly break in practice.
6. Bokken - a wooden replica of the katana (Samurai sword). Oak is best, and the thicker it is, generally, the longer it will last.
7. Tanto (wooden) - a wooden version of a dagger, and it looks almost like a mini-katana. The UBC CJJ Club uses these often for knife-defence practice, and it's a good idea to have your own.


Uniform:

All students must have a Judo-gi. It looks like this:

You're welcome to choose either the unbleached (left) or the bleached (right). However, most students prefer the bleached and it is more or less the norm of the club. The UBC Classical Jujutsu Club generally wears WHITE gis. This photo comes from Mikado Martial Arts in Vancouver; other suppliers sell Judo-gis as well. Check the links section.

Important Safety Note:
Do NOT buy a karate gi. The fabric of a Karate-gi is not intended to withstand grappling, and the UBC Classical Jujutsu Club does extensive grappling. A Karate gi will tear under such conditions and possibly cut the wearer. And of course, you'll have to replace it. Therefore, students will not be permitted to wear a Karate-gi in class.

How to tell the difference between a Judo-gi and a Karate-gi:
A Karate-gi is generally a thin, single-layer garment that has ties inside the jacket on either side. Judo-gis are thicker, and have the tell-tale characteristic of a criss-cross pattern on the skirt (lower half) of the jacket.



Athletic Protectors:
Examples are from Mikado's selection. Check links for other vendors' sites.

For Men:

For Women:


Weapons:

Again, pictures show Mikado's Selection. Other vendors can be found on our links page.


Bo Staff:


Bokken (wooden katana): It's the longer one (~40 inches long) you want, not the shorter one.


Tanto:

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