Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
There are standard lengths that are sold according to a persons sizing. In my case I wear a size five karate-gi and obi. I find that the standard lengths are not always a good fit. Even if you find size 5 a bit long you may find a size 4 way to short. In my case, example, I get a five and then adjust it manually to fit at a good and what I see as a proper length. I cut of one end and then use some of the material to fold in to the cut area to make sure it is one solid color, i.e. the white underneath is obvious if not covered, and then use a same color thread to close it properly and keep it neat in appearance.
I do not wash it and bleach it to make it look cool, i.e. faded, and I do not drag it behind a vehicle to get it frayed looking either. That is crap that the ego uses to look like a person has experience and longevity. It is also perceived as "cool," as well as many other descriptive views.
The belt is used for two things. One is for a large class type teaching environment so Sensei can readily see where a person is as to the level of knowledge, experience, and proficiency. The other is to hold your jacket closed and keep it as neat as possible during practice, i.e. a decorum thing. It is worn around the "waist." It is NOT worn around the hips. It is not loose so the knot and ends hang down from the hips in a "cool looking" way [can not describe this well enough but it is representative of someone who is wanting to stroke the ego and tell every one he/she is cool and wants it to look cool and acceptable to others views and such stuff ...]
If you wear an obi then the very first thing you learned was how to tie the knot properly yet I see again and again, both novice and yudansha, who still cannot tie a knot well or just don't care and also have varying lengths and ends, etc. To me its like showing up for a job interview in your sweat pants and t-shirt with a stubble on your face where you sit down, lean back, and take a cocky guy pose with a cocky guy attitude; you ain't getting hired dude VS coming to a interview in a suit with polished shoes pressed and clean, clean shaven and you sit tall with respect and proper assertive posture, etc.
AND
If you wear a good and properly fitted uniform. If you wear it properly. If you keep it cleaned and pressed, somewhat, and the belt is clean and in good condition [when it wears, frays, fades then put it in a box-frame, put it on your wall for posterity if a belt given to you with special meaning, and get a new clean presentable belt for training, practice and instruction/teaching.
Oh yea, for the length of the ends that hang down, in my view it should not extend when hanging naturally after tying the knot "no more than between 6 and 8 inches which brings it down to slightly past the groin area on each side and they should be as close to even as possible with no more than one inch variance maximum. Attention to details and a pension and ability to see and do things in detail just to name one thing of importance in taking this view.
The full monty here: https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2011/05/karate-gi-and-obi-wearing-them-etc.html
Other Reading:
For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)
Note: regardless of content herein, I do have a different view on the belts and their symbolic value as written in an earlier comment on Facebook if you are interested in reading that one too.
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