Obi (martial arts)

Unlike in many other martial arts, adult practitioners of aikido do not wear coloured obis,[1] though in some schools different colour codes have been formed,[1] especially for children. The children's obis range from white for beginner level to 7th kyū, other colours for the rest of the kyū levels, and black for levels 1st dan and up.[2]

In some aikido schools, wearing a hakama is a privilege earned by reaching the first dan level. In other schools, all practitioners may wear a hakama. After taking up using a hakama, the colour of obi does not matter since it will be covered by the hakama.[2]

The Bujinkan (武神館) makes use of only a limited set of belt colours, however there are also different associated uniform emblems or wappen (ワッペン), the style of which varies dependent on the grade of the Budoka. Unlike many other martial arts, the number of Dan grades extends to Jūgodan (15th Dan), and practitioners at this grade of may also be gifted the status of Dai Shihan (大師範, roughly translated as "senior instructor") by the Sōke[3] This title also comes with its own wappen style featuring a purple background.

Ninja obi are required within JNF and WNF.

The outfit used for Atarashii naginata practice includes a hakama that covers the obi. The obi is always white; its colour has no significance beyond simply blending in with the white keikogi worn when practicing the art.

The outfit worn to iaido practise includes a hakama, which is worn over the top of the obi, which fastens the keikogi. The obi colour has no meaning in iaido,[4] and is usually chosen to blend in with the kimono or hakama worn by the practitioner.

The outfit used for jōdō practise includes a hakama that covers the obi. The colour of the obi has no significance.

Below are the colours of obis worn for judo practise. Junior practitioners have a different colour range.[5] There are also other colour ranges used worldwide.

The colours for obis used for Ju-Jitsu practise range as follows:[6]

Different Ju-Jitsu federations use different colours. An alternative is shown below.

The outfit used for Jūkendō practise includes a hakama that covers the obi. The colour of the obi has no significance.

The outfit used for kendo practise includes a hakama that covers the kendogi. An obi is optional; if worn, its colour has no significance.[11]

The outfit used for kyūdō practise includes a hakama that covers the obi. The colour of the obi has no significance.

The outfit used for T'ai Chi is either loose-fitting, comfortable clothing or the same kind of uniform as Kung Fu. Some schools also include a coloured sash, but no standard for their order has been established. They commonly follow the same basic rules as Kung Fu, beginning with white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, brown and black. Some may skip a rank, others may subdivide them with a stripe or tag.

• Bennett, Gary (1997). Aikido techniques & tactics. Human Kinetics Publisher. ISBN 0-88011-598-X.
• Goodman, Fay (1998). The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts. Lorenz Books. ISBN 1-85967-778-9.