a must read article "why a black belt could be trouble&

[battousai16]

not sure how ya get green

 

i think that's supposed to be from the grass stains

[47MartialMan]

The darking was from wear and now symbolized by colors. I believe Judo was the first art to use the Black Belt concept. I think it was Korean arts to put in more colors.

[battousai16]

as i understand it, the color system isn't a documentary of what actually happened, but rather representation of the degree of training a student would go through as s/he progressed. y'know, you start out white and clean, than you get sweaty, a little dirty, your roll around in the grass a bit, a little blood here and there, than finally it's just so dark you can't even remember what color you started out with. just my understanding of course. could very well be someone just justifying their use of so many colors.

[47MartialMan]

as i understand it, the color system isn't a documentary of what actually happened, but rather representation of the degree of training a student would go through as s/he progressed. y'know, you start out white and clean, than you get sweaty, a little dirty, your roll around in the grass a bit, a little blood here and there, than finally it's just so dark you can't even remember what color you started out with. just my understanding of course. could very well be someone just justifying their use of so many colors.

 

Yeah, something like that

[AngelaG]

as i understand it, the color system isn't a documentary of what actually happened, but rather representation of the degree of training a student would go through as s/he progressed. y'know, you start out white and clean, than you get sweaty, a little dirty, your roll around in the grass a bit, a little blood here and there, than finally it's just so dark you can't even remember what color you started out with. just my understanding of course. could very well be someone just justifying their use of so many colors.

This always sounds a little too off pat to me. I think that in typical Martial Art style people just want a more zen reason for the coloured belts they wear. The belts are there to a) show instructors at your dojo what they can expect out of you b) a 'trophy' signifying your progress in the arts c) generate money for gradings d) provide structure and stature

 

Angela

[battousai16]

^and that could very well be true^. i'm not really a big fan of the belt system my self, it's kind of emptied my pockets, and now i have a bunch of colored strips of cloth laying around that i have no idea what to do with. i think there could be truth in the whole "this represents this" thing until you get to "camouflage" belts and the like. or perhaps i'm just giving all of those instructors the benefit of the doubt. it dosen't matter so much as long as i continue to dig learning with them.

[47MartialMan]

as i understand it, the color system isn't a documentary of what actually happened, but rather representation of the degree of training a student would go through as s/he progressed. y'know, you start out white and clean, than you get sweaty, a little dirty, your roll around in the grass a bit, a little blood here and there, than finally it's just so dark you can't even remember what color you started out with. just my understanding of course. could very well be someone just justifying their use of so many colors.

This always sounds a little too off pat to me. I think that in typical Martial Art style people just want a more zen reason for the coloured belts they wear. The belts are there to a) show instructors at your dojo what they can expect out of you b) a 'trophy' signifying your progress in the arts c) generate money for gradings d) provide structure and stature

 

Angela

 

Nicely written and noted. Yes, THIS is what BECAME of it. I am speaking of generalization of its basic origin.

[Samurai Shotokan]

Hey what about that other topic about there are more 10th Dan black belts in a large city(LA ect) than in the orient. Does that mean the same thing are they GIVEN the rank or did they earn it. My point is that it seems the west likes to get ranks fast and learns little

 

on a side note a teacher is defined by his/her students

[47MartialMan]

Here is a question:

 

Where did the term "Dan" come from?

[wing chun kuen man]

Samurai Shotokan,

 

An authentic 10th dan grade holder is a rarity in Okinawa the birth place of karate. I believe the reason for the existance of so many 10th dans in LA or the west in general comes down to BUSINESS and to a lesser extent vanity.

 

Wing Chun Kuen Man