Meijin Uniform Overview | Dragon Associates

Meijin Karate Uniforms

Tradition - Quality - Value - Service

In the Japanese language the word Meijin is made up of two characters, 名 “mei” which means “known” or reputation and 人 “jin,” a person. Combined, they mean a true expert, a master. So we chose Meijin, an appropriate name for a uniform that soon developed, and has maintained, a world-wide reputation for excellent quality and remarkable value!

When you purchase a Meijin uniform, you are acquiring the collective expertise and experience of our long-standing team. Some of our staff members have been with us since the establishment of our company in 1968. Over the course of five decades, we have dedicated ourselves to the art of designing and crafting exceptional karate uniforms. Our commitment has taken us to textile factories worldwide, enabling us to select the finest raw materials. We have developed size charts tailored specifically for the American market, ensuring an impeccable fit. Additionally, we have sourced the strongest embroidery needles and threads from renowned German manufacturers. The culmination of these efforts is Meijin: a line of karate uniforms that are not only comfortable and durable but also exquisitely tailored. To further personalize your uniform, we offer complimentary embroidery of Japanese characters. Choose Meijin for a premium quality Gi that epitomizes excellence in karate attire.

MEIJIN TROPICAL
A very substantial upgrade from our original Tropical uniform. The most obvious difference is the use of super high quality 10 ounce cotton CANVAS instead of the 9 ounce cotton twill we had used in the past. If you are looking for a low cost, high quality, lighter weight uniform with the strength, style, and snap that only high quality canvas can offer, or simply something more comfortable to train in when you need to combat high temperatures, high humidity, and excessive perspiration, you now have the answer: the Tropical+ karate uniform by Meijin.

PREMIUM BLACK
uniforms by Meijin are strong, comfortable, and color fast. They also embroider beautifully, & wash really well if you follow our recommendations. Take advantage of our FREE embroidery service on new Meijin uniforms, and you will understand just how sharp a custom uniform can look. With the same size and cut as our best-selling Meijin PRO, Meijin PREMIUM BLACK is available in sizes 3-12.

Dojo Brand
is a competitively priced uniform in 100% cotton that is by no means “cheap” when it comes to quality. Remember that the cut and fit of all Meijin uniforms is identical, only the fabric is different. They all have underarm gussets with ventilation holes, lined shoulders, and a perfectly traditional cut. The result is a range of uniforms that are appreciated by all experienced karateka. Dojo brand in sizes 0, 1 & 2 have high quality elasticated waistbands, while all other sizes have traditional draw strings with three full loops.

The Meiji PRO
100% cotton canvas is woven from multi-lobal long stranded cotton fibers to our own specification. Half-a-century of experience combined with the latest computer technology and exceptional quality control allows us to create a fabric that is far superior to the coarser, general purpose canvases used by most manufacturers. This exclusive fabric, the legendary quality and fit of our uniforms and our free Japanese embroidery & translation service has earned Meiji uniforms a reputation that is without equal!

Dojo Discounts

Click my image fo more information.

If you want to save money without compromising quality or speed of delivery, place your dojo orders for uniforms and student belts with us, and get a 10% discount, save money on your shipping, and still get super fast service and free embroidery on your uniforms. You can combine any type of Meijin uniform with student belts for your discount. For dojo orders please call us on 818 889 3856 to discuss your requirements In this way we can work out the very best way to serve you. We can also be reached at mamasan@dragon-tsunami.org

Meijin's PHILOSOPHY

Sweat more during Peace, bleed less during War.

― Sun Tzu, 546 – 496 BC

Meijin Uniform Development
We asked Goju Ryu Karate legend, Morio Higaonna Sensei, 10th Dan Goju Ryu Hanshi, how we could improve the Meijin uniform. His suggestion was that we make the waist strings longer and the pants straighter cut with a tailored crotch gusset. Of course, we followed his suggestions.

Meijin's Success

“What the ancients called a clever fighter
is one who not only wins, but excels in
winning with ease.”
― Sun Tzu, 546 – 496 BC

The Art of War.

Meijin Uniform Development
Uechi Ryu star instructor, Shinyu Gushi, Uechi Ryu 9th Dan asked us to change the direction of the weave in the shoulder lining material to improve longevity.

“I ordered my Meijin Pro Gi on Saturday and had my last name embroidered on i…My wife sent me a pic yesterday while I was at work. She was holding my new Gi in her hands! You guys embroidered and shipped my Gi so fast! I can't believe I got it around 30-36 hours after I ordered it! Well done! I tried it on and am in love with the fit! Thanks for being on the ball!"

Alden G

I was extremely surprised at how quickly this was delivered, especially considering I had the embroidery done. The Gi itself (Meiji Tropical) is absolutely fantastic and the best I have ever owned…To top it off, I’ve already received compliments on the great snap it achieves while doing forms. Thank you for the great service and for the great uniform.

James W Hayes

“I don’t know how you do it!
Any order large or small with custom embroidery and in less than two weeks the order is sitting on my doorstep on the East Coast!
This is the norm rather than the exception and has been for over 20 years for my school. Thank you again!” Okinawa Martial Arts Center, Tenchi Dojo. Owner and Chief Instructor

Mickey Brock

To calculate what size Meiji keikogi you need, layout your existing uniform on a flat surface and compare each measurement with the measurement shown on the size chart below.
Meijin are professional-grade traditional uniforms, so the jacket covers the hips and the sleeves and pants are full-length, so they can be shortened if and when required. You know how your current uniform fits you, so make allowances where needed to get a really good fit.
The measurements shown on the chart are linear, point-to-point. In other words, the width of the waist is just that—the width, not the circumference of the waist. This is because we use a traditional tie-cord closure that is infinitely adjustable. As we offer many half sizes, you are sure to find a size that fits you well. Please do not really focus on a “number” size, as these are arbitrary and vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer by as much as one and a half sizes, especially among the lower-quality brands. To make things worse, this can vary from time to time when a distributor changes his manufacturer. Please use the data shown here, and if you are still not sure, please call us for assistance at 818-889-3856, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Pacific time.

Use the table above and the chart below to compare the size of your current uniform with the Meijin dimensions (A-N) to determine the best size/fit for you!

Important Notice

The sizes shown in inches are approximate and can vary slightly as a result of manufacturing procedures and conversions from the metric system used by our factory to the American measurements shown here.
The second chart below is for your guidance only. It does not take into account personal preferences as far as fit is concerned.
Please note that Meijin uniforms are “full cut” for user comfort and performance. In other words, unlike so many other makers, we do not skimp on fabric to save on production costs! For more information please click on the Maneki Neko (right).

Jacket	0	1	2	3	3.5	4	4.5	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	8	9	10	11	12
A	51	52	53.5	56	57	58	59.5	60.5	62	63	64	65	67.5	70	71.5	73	74.5
B	19.5	20	21	23	23.5	24.5	25	26	26	26.5	26.5	27	27.5	28	29.5	31.5	33.5
C	26.5	27.5	29	31	32	33.5	34.5	35.5	36.5	37.5	38.5	39.5	41.5	42.5	44.5	44.5	44.5
E	5	5.5	6	6	6	8	8	8.5	8..5	9	9	9.5	9.5	10	10	10	10.5
Pants	0	1	2	3	3.5	4	4.5	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	8	9	10	11	12
M	14	15	16	18	18	19.5	19.5	22	22	23.5	23.5	25.5	26.25	27	28	29	30
K	33	34	35	37	37.5	38.5	40	41	43	44	45.5	47	49	52	53.5	53.5	53.5
N	8	8.5	9	10	10	11	11	11.5	11.5	12	12	12.5	13	13.5	13.5	14	14

The chart below is for your guidance only. It does not take into account personal preferences as far as fit is concerned.

Size	0	1	2	3	3.5	4	4.5	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	8	9	10	11	12
Height	4’-0”	4’-5”	4’-10”	5’-2”	5’-4”	5’-6”	5’-8”	5’-10”	5’-11”	6’-0”	6’-1”	6’-2”	6’-4”	6’-5”	6’-5”	6’-6”	6’-6”
Wt. (lbs.)	57	70	80	120	140	160	170	180	190	200	210	220	240	270	300	330	>350

Meijin Uniform Care and Maintenenace

Many years ago our products were tested in the laboratories of Proctor & Gamble, the owners of Tide brand detergent, and given an extremely high rating. We are therefore allowed to display the Tide logo in our advertising.

Wash your Meijin uniform frequently using the gentle cycle of your machine and hang to dry. This will keep your uniform looking good and extend its life. Iron your uniform by all means, but don’t forget to put a clean cloth between any embroidery and the soleplate of the iron to prevent fading of the embroidery thread.

Meijin Uniforms Questions & Answers

Q. Dojo Discounts?

A. Order 5 uniforms or more of any mix of Meijin uniforms and you will receive a discount of around 25% and still qualify for complimentary embroidery

Q. What do you mean by FREE embroidery?

A.When you buy a new Meijin uniform we will embroider either a recognized style name on the left chest or translate your last name and embroider it on the lower lapel.

Q: Who actually designed the Meijin uniform?

We did, but we also had a lot of help from you, our customers! We incorporated your suggestions into the design, worked with the best mills to produce our special cotton canvas, and instituted a testing program using top karate instructors to test Meijin on a regular basis. It was worth it!

Q: What about the quality of your uniforms?

A: We go to extreme lengths to maintain the quality of our products, and therefore our reputation. The cloth we use is woven to our specification from 100% pure cotton. It is made exclusively for our uniforms and not produced for camping equipment and back packs. We use the best threads to optimize the strength and durability of Meijin products, and hand-inspect every item before it shipped. We have been known in the past to return complete shipments to the factory that did not meet our standards. Suppliers therefore take us very seriously!

Q: How do your prices compare with those of other companies?

A: You can expect to pay up to double for a comparable uniform, BEFORE you add the cost of our custom embroidery. Our prices are more than reasonable, and we also offer dojo discounts for five or more uniforms, INCLUDING FREE JAPANESE EMBROIDERY.

Q: How about washing?

The very best method is to wash your uniform in cold water using a good quality detergent and hang it to dry. This will minimize shrinkage, keep it comfortable and maximize its life. You can safely iron your uniform but embroidery should have a thin cloth placed over it before it is ironed to protect the design. On the subject of embroidery, if you do decide to use bleach when you wash, be aware that this can, over the long term, cause fading of the embroidery.

Q: What do you mean by, “underarm gusset” and why do you do this?

In regular uniforms, four thick seams overlap in the jacket armpit, eight double layers of heavy canvas plus sewing, to make a hard and inflexible lump which can be very uncomfortable, and even cause bleeding during repetitive punching practice. In Meijin uniforms this has been replaced by a skillfully sewn gusset in order to eliminate the problem completely. The Meijin design allows more room in the chest without the uniform looking baggy, and greater freedom of the arms. The ventilation holes increase overall comfort and they are embroidered to prevent them fraying even after many, many washes.

Q: I am a litle confused by the different types of uniform..

It’s actually very simple. All five of the uniforms we currently offer, Dojo, Tropical, PRO and PREMIUM BLACK are identical in cut and size. The difference is in the weight and quality of the cloth they are made of. If a size 5 Tropical fits you, so will a size 5 PRO!

Q: How would you describe the cut of Meijin uniforms?

A: Traditional, wholly traditional, and nothing but traditional! Sleeves and pants are full length. The jacket lets you move freely as do the straight cut pants which also have a tailored crotch gusset for extra comfort. If you like the sleeves and pants shorter, they can easily be altered. Meijin manufacture karate uniforms for serious training. Uniforms you can rely on; uniforms you can be proud to wear.