Color Sashes a North American Invention?

[cleung]

I noticed that some Chinese martial arts schools utilize a color sash ranking system similar to the belt systems that Japanese and Korean styles use. Are these sash systems a North American invention?

[patusai]

That's a good question. Do they use sashes outside the US (I ask hoping that you would know)? If so was the sash system developed by Americans or Orientials? It would be interesting to learn...for me at least

[cleung]

Traditionally, most martial arts schools in Hong Kong and China do not use sashes. This is why I asked the question about North American based schools. I know at least some kung fu schools which do have sash systems but they admitted that they developed one to have a ranking system like the belts in karate and tae kwon do.

[SigungWhite]

Yes, The Sash system has grown in the US for a couple of reasons. The first is based on competition. Kung Fu Students like to know where they stand with their competition. So Amercan Instructors had to find a way to prepetuate that in a way that helped them keep their schools open and to keep their students in a line of progression. Normally, there would only be advancement from Novice, Intermediate, advanced, Instructors etc....

So, to really answer your Question is that yes it is a north american thing. However, it has been duplicated in many other countries around the world as well.. Some Kung Fu System are using the Duan/Cheche System of ranking as well.

Sigung White

[nanfeishen]

Traditionally, the sash was nothing more than a means of keeping your pants up, plus you could shove a weapon through it , keep your money in it, or loop it on the side to hold the scabbard of a sword.

The school i began in , we recieved a black sash after three to six months probation in the school, which signified you being recognised as a new member in the school, the colour change came in the Tshirts we wore.

The second school in which i remained, we wore red sashes, with 3 inch tassles at the either end of the sash, and these changed colour through the various grades, so i suppose it definately differs from system to system

[SigungWhite]

http://home.att.net/~polsvcint/molumcombatarts_news.html

Go the bottom of the the page and click on Rank Systems

This is our sash sytem for the Molum Pai or Wu Lin Da System.

Sigung White