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MMA brands are designing their clothing without understanding the historical roots of the symbols and imagery they are using; brands including Reebok (i.e. The infamous Ireland t-shirt). Specifically when these brands are using Asian imagery (which there are a lot of Asian themed designs).
I read this article discussing this area of topic that seems to have gone unnoticed to a large part of the MMA community. https://dynastyclothingstore.wordpr...iation-in-bjj-mma-designs-in-depth-breakdown/
Basically, the article has three "judges" (all of whom are of Asian backgrounds) giving their thoughts on MMA clothing designs that are Asian culture inspired. Including GSP's "Rising Sun" Hayabusa Gi.
"Sadly, when companies try to sell Asian-ness on their Oriental products as a look or as a trend, they fail to respect or acknowledge the fact that images and designs represent actual real people from an actual place and culture. Just wearing clothing doesn’t make you automatically into a yakuza, a samurai warrior, a ninja, or a shaolin monk – and it is important to understand that the figures and symbols being approximated are real cultural figures. It may be fun to fantasize about pretending to be one of these identities, however respect should be had in understanding that the figures being portrayed share a rich cultural history with bloodlines, lineage, traditions, rites of passage, and social class. So don’t wear it just to look“cool” or “bad ass”, but understand the historic undertakings involved."
Since Asian inspired designs are rampant in MMA clothing, chances are most of you own at least one piece of clothing that is designed in such way. How many of you consciously thought about what the imagery, on that piece of clothing, actually represents or if it is even historically accurate?
This almost reminds me of during the 90s when people were getting tattoos of Chinese or Japanese characters and trusting/relying on the artist to tattoo the correct characters. Someone out there probably has the Chinese word for "douche", tattooed on their arm, thinking they have the proper translation for the word "courage".
Discuss.
I read this article discussing this area of topic that seems to have gone unnoticed to a large part of the MMA community. https://dynastyclothingstore.wordpr...iation-in-bjj-mma-designs-in-depth-breakdown/
Basically, the article has three "judges" (all of whom are of Asian backgrounds) giving their thoughts on MMA clothing designs that are Asian culture inspired. Including GSP's "Rising Sun" Hayabusa Gi.
"Sadly, when companies try to sell Asian-ness on their Oriental products as a look or as a trend, they fail to respect or acknowledge the fact that images and designs represent actual real people from an actual place and culture. Just wearing clothing doesn’t make you automatically into a yakuza, a samurai warrior, a ninja, or a shaolin monk – and it is important to understand that the figures and symbols being approximated are real cultural figures. It may be fun to fantasize about pretending to be one of these identities, however respect should be had in understanding that the figures being portrayed share a rich cultural history with bloodlines, lineage, traditions, rites of passage, and social class. So don’t wear it just to look“cool” or “bad ass”, but understand the historic undertakings involved."
Since Asian inspired designs are rampant in MMA clothing, chances are most of you own at least one piece of clothing that is designed in such way. How many of you consciously thought about what the imagery, on that piece of clothing, actually represents or if it is even historically accurate?
This almost reminds me of during the 90s when people were getting tattoos of Chinese or Japanese characters and trusting/relying on the artist to tattoo the correct characters. Someone out there probably has the Chinese word for "douche", tattooed on their arm, thinking they have the proper translation for the word "courage".
Discuss.
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