[ Unit Project 1 ] Most Memorable Uniform

    

   My artifact is karate uniform. This is mainly divided into three parts: jacket, pants, and obi. First, the jacket and pants are uniformly white and come in a variety of fabrics from hard to soft. The one in this photo has a hard fabric and it is specialized in Kata. Next, I would like to talk about the obi. The color of the obi is especially important and the tiers are divided according to color and the black band is located at the top. I have been practicing karate since I was in the first grade of elementary school, so the karate uniform is essential for talking about the last ten years.


   This uniform was the one of uniform I used from my second year of junior high school to my first year of high school, and it is one of the most memorable uniforms I have ever used. Three months before the national tournament in Osaka in 2019. My parents bought me this uniform.

  When my parents bought me a uniform, they said, "We will buy you a new uniform, so be practice more than ever.''

I said "Of course!! I will definitely win!!

   The new uniform and parent's word has given me the energy to practice even harder. Around this time, I quit my junior high school club activities and started practiced karate intensively . And then came the day of the tournament. I was so nervous until I entered the tournament venue. However, when I adjusted my uniform just before my turn, I remembered the practice I had practiced so hard with this uniform and I was able to gain confidence. As a result, I was able to finish in 8th place in this tournament, which was my best record. Althought I didn't get medal but I remember being very happy.

   After the tournament, my father said, "The uniform is just a tool to motivate you, and the reason you got such a good result is because you practiced hard.''

   My father said so, but I don't think I wouldn't have practiced as hard if I didn't have this uniform. I think this uniform allowed me to practice hard and gain the confidence right before my turn. So, although I have only used this uniform for a short time, but it is the most memorable of all the uniforms I have used until now. However, I am thinking of giving this uniform to a junior in the organization I belong to. This is because new members are having trouble because they don't have uniforms. I hope this uniform gives him confidence and motivation. And he gets better results with this uniform.


   I learned two things from this experience. The first is that it is important to make effective use of what you only use for a short time by giving it to others who need it. Nowadays, it is common to wear new clothes only a few times and then never wear them again. If you have something like this, why not give it to someone else who needs it? I think that action will help someone.

   The second thing is that voice is not the only way to support people. In recent years, due to the coronavirus, it has become difficult to give vocal support. Even in karate tournaments, it is not recommended to cheer loudly during the kata competition. I think that this situation is similar to the current situation during the coronavirus pandemic. So, I learned from this experience that you can support and encourage others by giving things away. And I realized that this is just as effective as cheering in voice.