Belt Up if Travelling on a Journey
A MARTIAL artist I know recently told me that he wasn't going to bother taking his second dan black belt because he didn't see much point.
His argument was that dan grades are just for those who feel the need to have 'letters after their names'.
I fundamentally disagree (sounds like he is suffering the black belt blues!) because in most martial arts the real training and understanding comes AFTER taking your first black belt.
And to get that true and deeper understanding you have to advance through the upper parts of the system.
A black belt first dan is the BEGINNER grade of black belts. This is why the Japanese systems clearly make a difference in terminology between Kyu (Boy) grades and Dan (Man) grades.
However, I know where he is coming from.
For many years I was a bit of a rebel and refused to take grades in systems I trained in on principle.
Being a modernist I thought the idea of grading for coloured bit of cloth a bit, well, childish.
And interestingly that is exactly where the whole belt system comes from - the need to give kids training in martial arts a goal to aim for.
As most of you will know the whole belt system is hardly an ancient tradition having been invented by judo master and founder Jigaro Kano in the 1920s to encourage youngsters.
In fact Chojun Miyagi, the famous Okinawan karate master, refused to use the coloured belt system in his school saying they were against the tradition of the empty hand systems.
But times move on and attitudes change. I now think that the belt system has a lot of merits.
For example, if you are running a large class and you didn't have coloured belts (or sashes, gloves or T-shirts etc) then it makes it much more difficult for the instructor to give the correct training for a student's level of expertise.
With a coloured belt around their waists you know exactly the level they are at a glance.
Belts also allow the students to know how far they have come in their training and how far they yet to go.
And it also gives the student a sense of achievement and self-worth. This is particularly true when they are youngsters.
And - from a pure financial point of view - gradings often are the way that clubs keep themselves afloat.
However, what I do rail against is those clubs that give students black belts after a couple of years training.
It takes at least five years to get a black belt in my system Directional Fighting Method with the average taking six years. Once you have completed your probationary black belt (1st Kyu brown belt in most systems) you can't grade for the black belt 1st Dan until a year has passed.
In that time my students are learning how to be assistant instructors. They have to learn conflict resolution training techniques, first aid and how to teach and be able to explain theories such as the centre line theory, high low theory and have thorough understanding of the eight angles of evasion and the four main elements of combat.
So, unless a black belt with two years experience is a 'natural', as far as I'm concerned they are really no more than blue or purple belts and most likely a lot less.
Now instructors with many years experience can, in my opinion, grade in another system at a high level for the first time because they already have experience in martial arts, if not that system.
They can also do this a lot quicker than a raw beginner for the same reason.
Of course it isn't the colour of the belt that really matters - Sensei Brian Dossett, who was for ever shocking the trad world (good on yer Brian! You were/are both controversial AND a ground breaker!) wore a great golden belt for awhile which was fantastic.
It's the knowledge that comes from gaining the Dan grades and going on the journey of self-discovery through the techniques that matters.
That's why I say: If you're going to travel on the journey of the Way its always safer to belt up.
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I agree that the belt system has its benefits both to the students and the instructors like you have pointed out. Once a Dan grade has been achieved then you know the basics and principles of that particular system. Now its time to learn how to use these more effectively, understand them, explore them in different ways and pass on that knowledge.
Maybe this guy thinks he now knows it all, maybe he feels he doesnâÂÂt have to progress because he has his âÂÂblack beltâ so whatâÂÂs the point of going for another? Has he tried any other martial art? Maybe he feels he doesnâÂÂt need to try any other because he thinks there all the same.
Once you get your 1st Dan its time to âÂÂreallyâ learn from your senior grades, or try something else. There are lots of different styles out there to have a go at, old and new.
DonâÂÂt be frightened of the differences, the colour of the gi or uniform, there unusual fighting stance or the funny names of the techniques. So its different to what your used to, so what? They have worked just as hard as you for there black belt and I bet they could show you a few things that you have never thought about!
I have trained in many different styles and enjoyed most of them. They have all shown me something different or applications to techniques I hadnâÂÂt thought off. IâÂÂve been training for nearly 25 years and IâÂÂm still learning.
I suggest that this martial artist you know gets out there and tries something else. Get him along to one of your classes or IâÂÂm sure you know enough people to suggest he go train with.
Darren Currah.
BELT UP...........
Well I'm not a boy but I'm still climbing up through the Kyu grades and this is the second time. I can understand why some get to a certain level and stop or don't take any more grades yet still improve their skill levels. But what ever level you attain the belt is an indication of achievement I have always said it is important to have belt grades as it give students a target to attain and something to train towards. Everyone wants to improve there ability and the belt system is an indicator of ability for all to see.
The Black belt is universally recognised as a excellent standard and it will always be something worth while achieving.
It's his choice and he is really into his martial art and there's nothing wrong with that that.
Maybes he is going through a rebellion stage - the same rebel stage that I and you went through.
Again there is nothing wrong with that. In fact it something to be commended when some one challenges the status quo and asks questions.
Its a far more healthy attitude than just accepting things because 'that's the way things are'.
I agree of course about martial artists having an open mind and training in other systems - even if only for a short period of time.
But isn't amazing how many people in martial arts just don't have an open mind!
I had a guy come up to me ages ago at a publicity event who trained in a particular 'traditional' Japanese system.
He asked me what right I (as if it was all down to me - Doh!) to mix Japenese, Chinese and other systems together!
My short answer was "What doesn't give me the right?"
To give him his due he replied: "Good answer!"
On the same day we had a Shotokan girl come up to the stand and ask what we were about.
As soon as we said it was a modern combat system you'd have thought we'd turned into vampires! She backed away with a horrified look in her eyes as if just talking to us would some how contaminate her!
A bit silly really when you consider a punch is a punch a kick is a kick regardless of styles or systems.
The greatest irony is of course that Shotokan was modernised in 1948 and is de facto a modern martial art.
The other guy's art is a modern version of ju-jutsu. His instructor is a well respected teacher with lots of knowledge.
So - though they thought they were doing traditional arts they are in fact doing modern arts!
A more grease to both the Shotokan and modern jujutsu systems' elbows. They are both good modern martial arts!
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