JimmyNewton Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 whats up with some of the balck belts out there being so raggedy and torn up looking. do some of thes epeople wash their belts? if so, that is disgraceful..it's like washing away all the blood sweat and tears it took to earn it. , yet, i see many black belts that look as if they are hanging ona by a thread. "The wise and successsful will always be met with violent opposition by mediocre minds."
Shorin Ryuu Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 There's always those people that buy satin belts that fall apart and look ragged really quickly. Then there's always those people that have simply had the same black belt for over thirty years... I see you're a fellow Shorinkan student. Who's your teacher? (I see you're in North Carolina...do you get to train with Kyoshi Perry often?) Mine is Renshi Sam Ahtye in San Francisco. Martial Arts Blog:http://bujutsublogger.blogspot.com/
TangSooGuy Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 I wore the same belt for 16 years. It got pretty rageddy. You get attached to your belt after awhile. In the end though, I decided it's kind of unprofessional. I still hold onto that belt, but I doubt I'll ever have one that looks like that again.
Sauzin Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 (edited) Actually any blackbelt worn for 10+ years of consistent training will tear up and start to look "raggedy". That's why they say a black belt becomes a white belt again at some point. Personally I don't think it is unprofessional. If I saw someone with a high quality black belt that was nearly white they would gain my instant respect. It shows the years of dedication they have put in. My black belt is starting to show a bit of white around the edges and I couldn't be more proud of it. Edited March 15, 2005 by Sauzin The only two things that stand between an effective art and one that isn't are a tradition to draw knowledge from and the mind to practice it.
TangSooGuy Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 I agree and disagree... To someone who knows what was involved in getting it that way, a ragged belt has a great deal of meaning, and is deserving of respect. To the average kid or Jo Schmoe on the street it just looks ragged. I can't tell you how many times I got asked "Why is your belt grey" when it was just faded... and later, "Why is your belt green?" when most of the outside had worn off and the green core lining was showing.... Even after explaining it, a lot of the didn't get it. Now I'm not saying I won't let my current belt get broken in, because I will, but i doubt I'll ever let it get THAT bad again... Like I said, I keep the old one on hand for the lesson, though.
JimmyNewton Posted March 15, 2005 Author Posted March 15, 2005 I was jsut curious. Also glad to hear nobody washed them. I was taught that was very disrepectful. To Shorin Ryu..yes I have attended some of sensei Perry's seminars. My instructor is Willie McIntosh. I actually fell off the "path" for about 2 years...college, playingrugby, etc. However, I have resumed my training as of 3 weeks ago with full force and am looking to test for Shodan in June. "The wise and successsful will always be met with violent opposition by mediocre minds."
Sauzin Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 I hear what you are saying, TangSooGuy. This is yet another reason why I am glad I don't frequent commercial circles. Of course this is a luxury. The only two things that stand between an effective art and one that isn't are a tradition to draw knowledge from and the mind to practice it.
smr Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 whats up with some of the balck belts out there being so raggedy and torn up looking. do some of thes epeople wash their belts? if so, that is disgraceful..it's like washing away all the blood sweat and tears it took to earn it. , yet, i see many black belts that look as if they are hanging ona by a thread. I wash my belt all the time. What I find offending is odor... specifically offensive body, mold and fungal odors emmenating from unclean, sweat-drenched belts. Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu
smr Posted March 15, 2005 Posted March 15, 2005 Actually any blackbelt worn for 10+ years of consistent training will tear up and start to look "raggedy". That's why they say a black belt becomes a white belt again at some point. Not true. One of my instructors has had her belt for over a decade, and it is a little dull but it is definitely still black.If I saw someone with a high quality black belt that was nearly white they would gain my instant respect. It shows the years of dedication they have put in. My black belt is starting to show a bit of white around the edges and I couldn't be more proud of it. Why don't you watch them work and listen to them speak before you give them your instant respect. A belt is just a belt. There are many ways to make a high-quality black belt fade premateurly. Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu
JimmyNewton Posted March 15, 2005 Author Posted March 15, 2005 i still disagree with washing it. i have seen black belts that are many years old, never washed, smell fine. and yes they have went through extensive, rigorous training. I'm sure we all sweat hard, but with my gi drenced with sweat, my belt has never had mold or fungal odor. i see washing it as a sign of washing away the blood sweat and tears you've put into it. guess to each his own though. "The wise and successsful will always be met with violent opposition by mediocre minds."
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