little black belts

[ebff]

Can't remember whether I've said that before. That's what my sifu had to say on belts: in the old days fighters would wear a belt to close their cloak (or whatever they wore at the time to go about the paths). They then would go out and sometimes fight, and the belt would get covered in dirt, blood, sweat etc. Over the years, the belt (which was never washed) would get darker and darker, and the experienced fighter, whose belt would be completely stained black from decades of fighting (and winning to tell the tale and keep the belt) would lay it by his bed proudly before going to sleep.

I'm not so sure some of the black belts seen in later days have been acquired through sweat and blood.

[jaymac]

Hey Longarm, I saw that guy on a show on Fit TV. I though he looked kind of young to have a Shihan Belt. He must be good. The show was mostly about a father and a son taking up martial arts. I only saw him for a little bit on the show, but what I saw, I liked his teaching style.

[Anbu Alex]

Hey Longarm, I saw that guy on a show on Fit TV. I though he looked kind of young to have a Shihan Belt. He must be good. The show was mostly about a father and a son taking up martial arts. I only saw him for a little bit on the show, but what I saw, I liked his teaching style.

Was that the one with the guy who use to be in power rangers

[jaymac]

yes. I just went to his website and was checking it out. His website is mostly about him and his achievements. According to him, he is only 29. Accomplished alot. Almost had to beg our instructor to even put one picture of himself on his website.

[Anbu Alex]

Yea i saw that show he seems really creditable yea my teacher is reallly lazy about pics of himself on our website lol he really doesnt even care

[patusai]

The feedback has been really interesting. Thank you I must say that the Jason Franks thing blew me away at first. Things change and, many times, it should.

[Brandon Fisher]

I agree on the Jason Franks thing it was a little shocking. I am going to be 30 this year and I am a 5th dan. I could test for 6th but I am going to wait at least 3 years that will put me at 6yrs in grade.

[ShoreiSmurf]

It is funny how our "crazy" life style works. Some people work for years and years and recieve little reconization for it, while others seem to take the lime light as soon as they step a foot into a dojo However, that is the life style we have choosen and should respect it and everyone in it.

PS: I liked ebff's post about a time tried black belt. However, I question the fact that age effects the outcome of the warrior

[jaymac]

You know though, Jason Franks, although probably awesome with his technique, seems as though his style is a great mixture of many arts. From what I could gather, it wasn't a more traditional style that has a set of standards in regards to rank. Maybe in his style, there is not a guideline to ages. I know in our style, you can achieve a bb as a child of 12, but you have to wait several years before you can achieve any rank higher and there is a set standard for each Dan grade.

[bushido_man96]

Sometimes when I think about the time I have in-rank, I think, "man, I could be a 4th degree by now." Oh, well. No big deal. I just keep on pluggin'.