Training uniform
The dobok (도복) is the clothing worn to train in martial arts; the name joins «way» (do) and «clothing» (bok). In kumdo it has a top (sangui) and a lower garment (haui), with the protective gear (hogu) worn over it.
How to say it
- Korean
- 도복dobok
- Spanish
- Uniforme de entrenamiento
- English
- Training uniform
- Japanese
- 道着どうぎdōgi
The dobok (도복, 道服) is the clothing worn for martial arts training. The word joins do (道, «the way») and bok (服, «clothing»).
In kumdo (검도) the dobok consists of a top (sangui, 상의) and a lower garment (haui, 하의). For sparring, the protective gear, the hogu (호구), is worn over it.
- Colour: indigo blue is the most common, with white and black also seen. Sources also mention a white top with black bottoms, and a white version with black trim for the Korean national team.
- Lower garment: the haui is a very wide, pleated garment that looks like a skirt. It is worn almost to the instep and covers the ankles, so an opponent can hardly see the footwork. It has side slits.
- Order of dressing: the top and the lower garment first, then the gapsang (갑상), the gap (갑), the towel (수건, sugeon), the homyeon (호면) and the howan (호완).
- Care: keep it clean and fold it neatly along its pleats. Dry it in the shade. The natural indigo dye bleeds during the first washes.
Korean sources describe the dobok as related to the Japanese keikogi/dōgi. A Wikipedia entry states this, but flags it as needing a citation.
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