senseikellam

I am just curious as to how long it take in various schools and systems to reach black and beyond. The reason I am asking is because I ran into someone that I used to train with. I changed schools because the instructor was having difficulties in her personal life and couldn't separate it from class which make going to class absolutely dreadful. Anyway, after changing schools, I reached black within 3 1/2 years of training in and 2nd at close to 6 years of training. The old acquaintance tried to say that I shouldn't be 2nd Dan cause, I haven't trained for enough years. I just let in go in one ear and out the other and just told myself to pay no attention. I know there is no set years and that in some schools it can take as long as 8 years to even be considered for black. But, I feel, it is more about what you know and not the time span. I train on a daily basis for hours each day, so, naturally, I should know more than the guy who just shows up for class twice a week and doesn't practice in between, yet somehow is still awarded a black belt.

I never thought that I would be doing karate, much less, reach 2nd Dan. My journey in martial arts began nearly 6 years ago when my 6 year old son started coming home, running to his room, and locking himself in while crying. Two older boys were picking on him, telling him he was dumb, and calling him Dumbo. The reason for the name calling was because he is hearing impaired and wears a hearing aide on each ear. At the time he had just gotten the aides, his hair was short, and the aides made his ears stick out a little (like Dumbo). As in the case with many hearing impaired people, his speech was hard to understand. After talking with the boys parents and with the bus driver failed to resolve the issue permanently, I decided to enroll him in karate classes. I did not want him to go looking for a fight, but, if one came his way, I wanted him to be able to defend himself. I also thought it would boost his self confidence. Every week I would sit and watch him and he enjoyed it, but, as the time approached to test for his first belt, he grew very nervous. He ask me to start taking classes with him and a reluctantly did so only to discover, I love karate. I have been practicing ever since. Things happen for a reason!

Thanks for the congrats!

The type of gloves used depends on what style you are practicing so the best advice has already been given. Ask your instructor.

I thought it would be interesting to know how many schools use nicknames like Tiger or Tornado for their members.

Kyu fees are $50 (No Belt Included as some by their own) or $55.00 which includes belt 1st Dan $185.00 includes very nice certificate and a nice embroidered belt 2nd Dan $195.00 3rd Dan & Higher $295.00

I received my 2nd Dan in Shotokan on June 29th, 2010. Time to start working on the 3rd.

I love the quotes below. I am sure we are all familiar with the first one. "The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants." ~ Gichin Funakoshi "Karate begins and ends with courtesy." ~ Gichin Funakoshi "Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom" ~ Lao-tzu, Tao Te Ching "From white belt to black belt you shape the tool, at black belt you start to learn how to use it." ~ Unknown "Do not fear pain, for as long as you feel it you know you are still alive" ~ Unknown "Teachers open the door, but you must enter yourself." ~ Unknown "Karate doesn't only take place in the Dojo" ~ Gichin Funakoshi

I totally agree.

You are correct about the above. In kata competition, judges expect to see a low long stance with heel flat say when doing Heian Shodan for example. But in sparring, you need to be light on your feet and quick. With time and training everyone can modify their stances to something that works for them, but, is still excepted in competition.

Isn't it hard to believe that some people really have more nerve than sense. They say it take all kinds. Well, maybe so, but, I hate dealing with people like that.

I have a Sovereign and it is very nice. Great for the warm Alabama climate. The only thing I don't like is that the pants do tend to shrink a little more than I care for during the first few washes. Still a great gi. I have sold many of them in the past and will continue to offer it in my store, but, it is not my favorite. With that said, my favorite gi is the Meijin TROPICAL. It is about the same weight as the Sovereign, fits better, comes in half sizes and can even be purchased in split sizes if needed, offers free embroidery and is much, much, less expensive. Sizes 3-7 (which most of us on the forum probably are in this range cost just $69.00.) Just in case you are wondering, I am not affiliated with the folks that make Meijin in any way other than a fan of their products. I just really LOVE everything the company offers. Check it out at: http://www.dragon-tsunami.org/Products/Pages/Meijin_tropical.htm

Our are: White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Green, Purple, Red, Brown, Brown, Black.

Another black gi that may be of interest for the price can be found at: http://www.e-bogu.com/Black_Karate_Uniform_p/xue-kar-uni-k14oz-black-all.htm I haven't tried this one myself, but, some of my students have and they love it. Hope this helps!

I am 5' 8" and I purchased a 5. The pants did shrink a little when washed, but, not to short. Remember, karate pants really are not supposed to be as long as your regular pants anyway so that you can kick without them getting in the way. I would recommend that you was the piranha gear pants in cold water. The KI pants do run longer.

I just discovered this forum myself and it seems to offer a lot of good advice! If I can ever be of assistance, just ask.

You'll do fine! Your instructor wouldn't be letting you test unless he or she thought you were ready. In most schools you need to pay to test which covers the cost of the certificate as well as other things and the instructor wants you to succeed. With that said, usually testing is just a formality and a chance for you to prove to yourself that you have learned and learned well!

They do not have any black ones right now, but, they did. I have one and was looking to purchase another one for a student and called them. They said that they are improving upon their black one and to just keep checking back. I don't know how they could possible make it better, but, they told me it would be like their white Meijin Pro and should be available within a few months. If you can't wait that long, then check out the KI - Heavy Weight Brushed Canvas (black Karate uniform, Karate gi) or the one from piranha gear. I own one from piranha gear and it is wonderful!

For a nice rank belt (kyu) check out the Tokon brand as they are very well made, hold up very well, and are well sewed. They have 8 rows of stitching although that is hard to tell on their site as their pictures are not very good. I use them for my students and everyone likes them. They sell for $10.00 each which is a little more than others, but, they are worth it.

There are several good quality black gis out there. It all depends on what you want to pay. The KI Heavy Weight Brushed Canvas Uniforms are made of 100% cotton 13.8 oz. Duck Canvas from https://www.kiintl.com are a good choice and run around $70.00. The ironman by Century is nice, but, runs around $120.00. A uniform that is surprising nice for around $80.00 is made by piranha gear and comes in either a 4/5 sleeve or a full sleeve length. I have the their 4/5 gi and like it a lot. Check it out at http://www.piranhagear.com/index.php/clothing/uniforms/karate/karate-gi-14-oz-4-5-sleeve-black.html. Also, if your not in a hurry to purchase one, then keep checkinghttp:// http://www.dragon-tsunami.org/Products/Pages/Meijin_champ.htm as they will be offering a black gi within the next few months. I have one now in black, but, they are not currently listed on their site as they are making some improvements to it, but, I can't see how you can improve on PERFECTION. It will be like the Meijin PRO and they even offer free embroidery with a very fast turn around. I LOVE their work on everything as I have a black gi and a white one from them as well as a black belt with very nice embroidery. Meijin also offers split sizes and half sizes.

I don't really agree with stopping at 1st dan, but that was my choice. What is right for one person may not be right for another, so if your content to stop at 1st dan, there is nothing wrong with that. You know yourself better than anyone else, so just do what is right for you, but do it for the right reason and not because somebody told you to. Simply put, "To each their own".

In my school, we use a junior black belt (class rather than kyu) system because children can not hit or kick as hard as an adult, but they can often understand and preform all the requirements just as well and often better and with more speed and grace than an adult. When the junior black belt reaches an age (no certain one) where I or another instructor feels that they can compete adequately with an adult and not be injured, the junior black belt may be promoted through testing to a regular adult level black belt (1st dan).

I used Emblem Enterprises, Inc and they did 50 patches 3 x 3-1/2 for my school with my very complicated logo with tons of colored embroidery for $127.00 or $2.54 each. I could not have been more pleased! I would highly recommend them to anyone! The only drawback with them is that they are not so fast on the turn around, but, if you are not in a hurry, they are great and so much less expensive than anyone else I have found and I checked tons of companies before going with them.

Maybe if you just picked a school and offered to help out with some sort of special class that you know a lot about that would help your spirits. For example, I am very good with the kamas and I occasional hold special clinics at various schools other than my own. Anyway, good luck to you.

You should check out the following; http://www.dragon-tsunami.org/Products/Pages/Meijin_champ.htm They have great looking belts and truly know how to get the kanji correct and they have a very fast turn around!