Rice Grains Compared
A number of budo use rice grain style gi called ‘orizashi’. For example aikido, judo and kendo…what do all these arts have in common? They are both impact sports where you can acquire bruises, the textured, absorbent fabric helps dissipate and spread out the impact, leading to less damage to the body. Different arts employ orizashi gi differently. For example, in judo, the better quality the gi, the rougher the fabric, competition grade feels downright hostile to the touch. This is because in judo you yank on each other’s gi constantly and rough fabric lasts longer. Kendo gi are the opposite, the better quality, the softer the fabric.
In general, people look at double weave keikogi’s value in terms of softness, but while this may be a minority opinion, I would argue it is also important to look at it in term of rice grain. The bigger rice grains make for more impact surfaces and diffuse bruising impact better. Many modern kendoka will tell you that your gi is not armor and favor thin flat synthetic gi that I consider little better than a T-shirt. I spend almost all my time with beginners who miss a lot and hit hard. My keikogi is definitely a part of my protection and I have found timid beginners perform better when they are similarly protected. I will specifically tell a feisty beginner to invest in a double weave now, because when they get bogu people are going to hit them hard. None have ever regretted the investment.
What makes the rice grain bigger or smaller? Well, it’s the thread count. More thread, thicker rice grains. So for example, I have an #11000 kendogi from KendoSport.de. The grains are massive. This does make the gi stiffer, but the protection is superb.
A single weave gi bought from nearly anywhere is the same and a poor use of money. It’s too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer, it’s not particularly comfortable, because the cotton is cheap and the rice grains thin, lacking bounce and will offer inferior protection against missed hits.
NineCircle’s Miyabi double weave model is pretty standard and I would say the best middle of the road option. I have owned a one myself and helped a number of students buy them. However, if I was shopping specifically for the most protective kendogi on the market, I would choose Kendo-Sport’s #10.000 model. Not only does it have that very thick rice grain pattern, it also is sold in both tall/slim models and extremely rotund models. In other words, regardless of your body type, you can find one that will look dignified on you and be comfortable. Lastly, unlike the Nine Circle’s model, it has a back seam. The back seam is both more comfortable (especially if you wear an obi), it is also is more traditional (every tezashi model has one) and is generally seen as a sign of obvious quality that will even change the fade patterns as your gi ages.