Quick Definition
A kimono is the two-piece jacket-and-pants uniform worn in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, and related grappling arts. In English-language BJJ circles it’s more commonly called a “gi,” but the terms describe the exact same garment.
What is a kimono?
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a kimono is the uniform grapplers train and compete in, built from a jacket and pants with a belt tied over the top. The jacket is thick, gi-legal cotton with reinforced lapels that practitioners grip and choke with. The pants are lighter and drawstring-tied at the waist.
The word comes from Japan by way of judo. Mitsuyo Maeda, the judoka who taught Carlos Gracie in the 1910s, trained in a similar uniform. Brazilian practitioners picked up “kimono” as their name for it, while English-speaking gyms mostly settled on “gi.” Portuguese-speaking countries still lean on “kimono” today.
Grip fighting is the reason the kimono matters as much as it does. Collar chokes and sleeve control don’t exist without fabric to grab. Strip the kimono away and BJJ becomes no-gi, a related but different game built around underhooks and speed instead of grips.
Kimono vs. gi: is there a difference?
There is no difference in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. “Kimono” and “gi” refer to the same uniform. Which word gets used mostly comes down to region and habit: Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking gyms say kimono, American and European gyms lean toward gi, and plenty of practitioners use both without thinking twice.
The confusion usually traces back to Japan itself, where “kimono” is a broad word for traditional clothing in general, not a martial arts uniform specifically. The martial arts term is technically “keikogi” or “dogi.” Brazil borrowed “kimono” anyway, and it stuck.
How a BJJ kimono differs from a judo or karate kimono
The word carries across disciplines, but the garment doesn’t. A judo kimono is cut loose through the shoulders and body, built to survive constant gripping and throwing. Karate barely touches fabric, so its kimono stays thin and light.
A BJJ kimono sits between the two: close-fitting enough to deny grips, reinforced enough to survive ground grappling.
| BJJ kimono | Judo kimono | Karate kimono | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit | Slim, close to the body | Loose through arms and torso | Loose and lightweight |
| Typical weight | 350-550 GSM | 550-900+ GSM | 200-400 GSM |
| Built for | Grip denial, ground grappling | Throws, gripping for takedowns | Striking, minimal contact |
A judo kimono can technically be worn to a BJJ class. Competitors usually can’t use one, though: the wider cut gives an opponent extra fabric to grab, and most federations require BJJ-specific cuts for competition.
What a kimono is made of
Kimonos are woven from cotton or cotton-blend fabric. The weave affects how it handles grips and heat: single weave stays light and cool, which is why it shows up in hot climates and summer training.
Most modern kimonos use pearl weave instead, a middle ground between weight and durability. Gold weave and double weave sit at the heavy end, built to survive daily training at the cost of extra heat.
Weight gets measured in GSM, grams per square meter of fabric. A light BJJ kimono sits around 350 GSM; a heavy training version can push past 550 GSM.
Parts of a kimono
| Part | Japanese term | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Jacket | Uwagi | Reinforced top with lapels for gripping and choking |
| Pants | Shitabaki | Drawstring-tied pants, usually reinforced at the knee |
| Belt | Obi | Ties the jacket shut and shows rank |
Kimono rules in competition
Under IBJJF rules, competition kimonos must be white, royal blue, or black, with jacket and pants matching. Sleeves can’t extend more than 2 cm from the wrist with the arm out straight, and pants can’t sit more than 2 cm above the ankle bone. Lapel thickness, collar width, and sleeve opening get checked too. Since 2024, fabric weight is regulated as well: competition kimonos must fall between 380 and 650 GSM, which pushed the lightest ultra-light kimonos out of legal competition use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a kimono the same thing as a gi?
Yes. In BJJ, “kimono” and “gi” name the same uniform. Regional habit decides which word gets used.
Can I train BJJ in a judo kimono?
For casual training, usually. For competition, most kimonos need to meet BJJ-specific cut and weight rules, which a judo kimono typically doesn’t.
What is a kimono made of?
Cotton or a cotton blend, woven in styles like single weave, pearl weave, or gold weave, each trading weight against durability.
Do MMA fighters train in a kimono?
Many do, even though MMA itself is no-gi. Grip fighting drilled in a kimono carries over to clinch and collar-tie work without one.
Why do Brazilians call it a kimono instead of a gi?
Historical habit. Brazilian jiu-jitsu grew out of Japanese judo, and Portuguese-speaking practitioners adopted “kimono,” a general Japanese word for clothing, rather than the more technical “keikogi.”
Sources
- International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. “Uniform.” Accessed September 2, 2026.
https://ibjjf.com/uniform - Wikipedia. “Judogi.” Accessed September 2, 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judogi - BJJ Heroes. “Why Do We Call The BJJ Uniform a Gi and Not a Kimono?” Accessed September 2, 2026.
https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-culture/why-do-we-call-the-bjj-uniform-a-gi-and-not-a-kimono - GrappleMaps. “BJJ Gi vs Judo Gi: Key Differences Explained.” Accessed September 2, 2026.
https://grapplemaps.co.uk/guides/bjj-gi/vs-judo-gi - Elite Sports. “IBJJF Legal Gis: Everything You Need to Know for Competition.” Accessed September 2, 2026.
https://www.elitesports.com/blogs/news/ibjjf-legal-gis-everything-you-need-to-know-for-competition
Related MMA Terms
MMA Glossary
Explore 200+ MMA terms, techniques, and definitions.