Belt Greying

[Master Jules]

Again.......NEVER WASH YOUR BELT.....NEVER !!!!

 

If its a "stiffy" when you get it.....too bad.....be honored to accept what your teacher gives you.....It just means you have to get on the mat more and train....every time you tie your belt...it "wears"......thats why its FRAUDULANT TO "GREY" YOUR BELT BY ANY MEANS OTHER THAN TYING IT.......Its totally disrespectful to those who have spent years....and decades....tying their belt yet another time, and training yet another day.

 

The funny thing is........and Ive said it before....."belt hold up pants.....get on mat and train".........for all you youngsters guilty of "premature greying"......If you think that those of us who've spent 10, 20, 30 years training every day think that YOU have because your belt is grey......NEWSFLASH.......we know better.....because when you step out on the mat ......your performance of techniques doesnt even REMOTELY resemble the skill level of someone whos belt is "genuinely" greyed and freyed......and when you start talking......you prove even more how little you know.

 

Wash your Gi all you want......thats fine.....but YOU NEVER WASH YOUR BELT. The blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into the "making" of that belt should never be removed from that belt.....NO MATTER WHAT.....PERIOD. If one of my students ever washed their belt I would cut it off them and make them retest for the belt.

[solar_kid]

Master Jules, I understand what you're saying about belt-washing, and if that is your wish, your students should respect it firmly, but our sensei specifically told us to wash our belts when we first get them, and periodically thereafter. Sounds like our school may be in the minority in that regard, but it sounds like this is a custom that may vary from school to school.

[Master Jules]

Master Jules, I understand what you're saying about belt-washing, and if that is your wish, your students should respect it firmly, but our sensei specifically told us to wash our belts when we first get them, and periodically thereafter. Sounds like our school may be in the minority in that regard, but it sounds like this is a custom that may vary from school to school.

 

Solar......I would never tell you to disrespect your Sensei and go against his wishes for you. If he has chosen to instruct you to wash your belts.....then that is your obligation as a student.....I personnally cant conceive of washing or "pre greying" a belt, and I dont really think Ive met anyone who condones that action in the 31 years Ive been training. Again though....your Sensei has his rules, and it would be disrespectfull for you to do otherwise.

[Krazy Carol]

Seems to me those who have earned a black belt, worked hard to acheive the belt, and to pre-grey it, only cheapens their own hard work. Someone should pull those kids aside and speak to them, explain and give them the oppurtunity to start fresh with a new belt.

[AngelaG]

If a belt is only there to keep your trousers up, or to keep your gi top closed, what does it matter if you wash it or not?

 

We have an unwritten rule at our club. At Shodan you wear the normal cotton black belts, at nidan you might get a nicer one, and by sandan if you want somthing embroidered on it (such as your name) go ahead. Therefore someone could have been training for years and could still have a brand spanking new belt as they keep upgrading it.

 

I don't wash my belts (apart from my first white belt). This is not because of any old myths circulating around, it is mainly because they take ages to dry and can look add after a wash - also they would have to be washed separately from the gi and I train to much to have my belt drying. However, in the situation of it starting to smell I would have no problems with bunging it on a gentle wash in the washing machine. I don't see this as disrespectful - it's a piece of material. I wouldn't however bung my sensei in the washing machine. that would be disrespectful.

[ramymensa]

Always washed my belts. Ii don't believe in these myths, no offence, MasterJules , and I consider the belt just a belt.

 

It's my rank and you could see I've worked some to get to that rank, but the true sign of my achievement is in my way of moving, my techniqeus, my knowledge and my tired knees and muscles. If my belt is dirty I wash it, if it's worn, I get a new one. That's how we do and I think for me it's the best.

 

I don't think my sensei is the master of all, I don't worship him, nor anything. I respect him for what he knows more than me and he respects me for what I am. We are humans and Karate is Karate, a martial art, not a religion

[Master Jules]

Ramy......no offense taken......your post is an excellent one......the point you made concerning the "true" sign of achievement.....the way you move, and your knowledge.....is also my point......I couldnt ever bring myself to wash my belt......If people feel they need to because they dont want it to be "dirty"......I still disagree, but thats a whole lot better excuse than washing it to make it prematurely grey........Cause thats just like lying about what you know by misrepresenting yourself.....in fact.....its almost like wearing a belt that shows you to be a higher rank than you really are.

[aefibird]

Someone should pull those kids aside and speak to them, explain and give them the oppurtunity to start fresh with a new belt.

 

I agree.

 

They need to know that they are behaving disrespectfully and that many MAists disagree with "prematurely ageing" belts.

[P.A.L]

I don't blame the kids i have done it before with my blue jeans i can't remember why but i am sure i had a good reason back then.

[pineapple]

ramymensa:

I don't think my sensei is the master of all, I don't worship him, nor anything.

 

I don't worship my Sensei either but I do whatever he says because martial arts is about learning discipline and respect so if he tells me not to wash my belt, I don't wash my belt.