Vintage Double-layer Kendo Gi Jacket in Indigo Cotton

A utilitarian garment defined by structure, not decoration.

Overview

This piece is a double-layer kendo gi jacket (uwagi), originally made for kendo practice in Japan.

It is constructed with two layers of cotton fabric, resulting in a dense and substantial feel that clearly distinguishes it from single-layer garments. The structure itself defines the character of the jacket.

There is no attempt here to reinterpret or romanticize its history. What you see is a garment made to be used.

Material and Structure

The jacket is made from double-layer cotton construction. This layered build gives the fabric weight and firmness, reflecting its original purpose as martial arts training wear.

The indigo-dyed cotton shows natural variation across the surface and interior, a result of time and use. These variations are part of the material itself and are not treated as defects.

Context Beyond Use

In recent years, garments derived from Japanese martial arts wear, such as kendo gi jackets, have gained increased attention internationally.

They are now approached as textile references rather than sports equipment, particularly within slow fashion, upcycling, and handmade communities. Their appeal lies in construction, material honesty, and the absence of decorative intent.

Ways to Approach the Piece Today

Today, this jacket may be considered in several ways:

• As a jacket layered over contemporary clothing

• As a reference piece for textile study

• As material for handmade or remake projects

Its role is not fixed. The garment remains open to interpretation through use.

Explore the full story & shop the piece

This is a utilitarian garment that has simply continued to exist.