As I understand
it kyu colored belts (rank) evolved over time. Back on Okinawa from what I
understand I Isshinryu it went from White-Black to White-Green-Brown-Black and
onward. When I began it went White- Yellow- Blue-Green- Brown (3 levels)-Black.
Over time black belt rank evolved too. Black then Red and White and Red. At
times tape was used for dan rank.
Personally I changed the rank structure to accommodate
teaching youth. Keeping the same standards for receiving ShoDan at any age.
My adults were
never concerned about rank, at times I had to insist qualified students were to
test for it.
Eventually for
adult dojo rank dans I moved to only 3 dan ranks (more for my convenience).
Shodan for
seasoning about 1 year.
Ni Dan for
lifetime focus on what their needs for karate became.
San Dan for
those who went beyond their own needs moving into a greater exploration of
their art. They still had their Ni Dan commitment, but went for more than that.
After all in the
dojo everyone knows where everyone is after all. The rest is not needed.
Instructor was
something else. First 15 continuous years training, to really know the system,
Then if they were interested a 5 year mentorship showing how to guide students
through many levels.
Only then would
the instructor be granted permission to instruct.
They were still
active students too.
Instructors wore
the red-white-black obi. Always black side out. To others it always appeared to
be a black belt, but when the instructor donned it with the colors inside, it
became another reminder of the burden they chose to take on.
We really did
not attend other groups much and none of the rest was necessary. The
instructors did receive traditional Isshinryu dan ranking if ever they felt the
need to move outside the group.
And as I was trained no one is tested for
rank, the one exception is the ShoDan examination if more a initiation, one
must suceed before the rank is granted. There is no futhrer Dan or instructor
testing. It is the instructor's responsibility to understand when someone is
ready for new challenges.
Looking back at
the entire issue of rank from the distance of time it seems the least important
thing of all in the martial arts. At least that is what I have experienced.
Having taught
for a long time I admit it helps beginners (of all ages) focus on moving
forward, hence all the different schema employed for that purpose.
And I hold
traditional Isshinryu rank which I hold that my instructors hold me in regard,
but outside of that I have never let that define me. If anything as dan rank
rose I felt the increased burden that all it meant was that more and more was
expected of me.
The way I was
trained rank was not a reward for accomplishment. It was not something won
through testing. It just was given to you when you were ready for more
challenges. The instructor made that evaluation from direct daily evaluation.
They saw each effort, good or bad, as it occurred and based their decision on
when you were ready to face a more difficult load.
There was a
challenging dan initiation, which you had to pass before you could move on. But
that was the only ‘test’. After that the same criteria as the past was the only
standard, direct observation by your instructor. Based as much as what you did,
and how you worked to meet the new challenges. And those challenges are
infinite in nature, never ending, each journey a different path to follow
different for each person.
I worked very
hard to make every student realize new rank did not mean accomplishment, only
that they were now ready for it to get harder and harder.
You also learn
very quickly that everyone does not hold to your reality.
There are
infinite standards in infinite systems. Tape or no tape, solid belts or stripes
on belts. 5 degrees of kyu or 10 degrees of kyo or 20 degrees of kyu. It
reality it matters so little that there are differences. Each road winds a
different way. How you make your way work for you is much more important.
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