What does it really mean to be a black belt?

[jeff5]

The meaning has changed over the years, and obviously today it means something different not only than it originally did, but to different people, different styles, different countries, etc.

I believe I had read that initially a black belt only meant that you had mastered the basics of a system. I think you could teach with supervision from a higher instructor, or assistant teach. I don't know what the rank, 2nd or 3rd dan maybe, was before you could teach on your own and open your own school.

[bushido_man96]

A concrete example: my first school didn't explicitly teach new students hip rotation for the first 6 to 12 months. Students were busy enough with all the kicks, arm movements, stances, patterns, step sparring etc that they rarely noticed anything missing, but if they were clever they'd pick up a little rotation from carefully watching their seniors. Then, when it was introduced, the outward form was ready to be injected with this "engine". But, you got students being told by friends other schools "huh? you think you're punching hard but your hips aren't even moving... look at this... makes sense huh? you ought to ditch that silly school". As an instructor/school, you can't really win whichever way you do it: the important thing is for instructors to demonstrate a proficiency and attitude that's self-evident and inspires some faith, until the student's ready to assess the facts of such matters. Black belt is perhaps the time when - although no master - the expectation shifts on to them.

This is an interesting point to consider. Every school and instructor tends to do things a bit differently, and students can be impatient at times. However, at the same time, I do think that an instructor should not approach every student as the same, and a good instructor should be able to recognize those who are ready to move on, and absorb more, and be willing to give them the extras to bring the along.

Regards, Tony

[Okami]

You asked a good question what does it mean to be a Black Belt. I do in fact know the answer to that question, and you will too.

[ninjanurse]

You asked a good question what does it mean to be a Black Belt. I do in fact know the answer to that question, and you will too.

Exactly....well said!

[ps1]

Am I wrong to hold the title with such high regard?

Yes...you are wrong to hold the rank in high regard. It's the person that makes the rank...not the rank that makes the person. Hold the person and their skill in high regard. If someone simply says they're a black belt, you can't put any weight in that. You should train with them and get a feel for their skill. The rank is almost superfluous.

[bushido_man96]

Well stated, ps1. As sensei8 would say, "the proof is on the floor!"

[SaxonPig]

What does it mean to be a black belt?

What is art?

What is the nature of God?

All questions for which there is an endless variety of answers.

I was told that shodan meant one understood the basics and one was accepted as a serious student. Sandan was considered "instructor rank" and as such one was qualified to teach and make rank promotions. One was said to be taken seriously at the sandan level. The godan meant that the individual had achieved mastery of the system. All ranks beyond godan were awarded for years of service and other intangibles as by the time most people reached that level the physical body was in state of decline and it was unrealistic to expect physical improvement to continue.

But I always wondered where nidan and yondan fit into this description? Stepping stones?

As noted by others, there is no universal standard for rank. This means that all rank is actually rather meaningless except to the individual being awarded the rank and the person bestowing said rank. I have to question the legitimacy of a 10 year old nidan. IMO 4-5 years should be expected to reach shodan and an additional 3-4 for nidan. Young children usually require a bit longer than do adults because of physical and emotional limitations. Did this kid start training when he was an embryo?

My first instructor was extremely stingy in awarding rank. I'm not sure why. Maybe he wanted to maintain high standards but this can be carried too far. I saw guys at that dojo who worked hard, were very talented, and had been training for up to 20 years who were still nidans with no sign of any promotion on the horizon. In fact, nobody at that school was ever promoted beyond nidan in the 16 years I was there. When asked about dan rank the instructor would simply say "Your black belt doesn't get any darker with promotions." I found that answer too glib.

I think rank should be mainly recognition for accomplishment, effort, and spirit. But I believe it is also to reward and encourage further development. I saw a number of people drop out as nidans and I'm sure some of them felt frustrated by the apparent utter lack of potential for further rank advancement. This is not a good thing.

I have been with my current instructor for 15 months. I will take my sandan test next Saturday. I'm actually a little excited at the prospect. I think 25 years as a nidan is long enough.

[ps1]

Well stated, ps1. As sensei8 would say, "the proof is on the floor!"

It's sad that it has come to that point. But I have found myself becoming more and more cynical about rank over time. I've just met too many people that are 6th dan with little skill in fighting, self defense technique, and kata. You would expect that they would be good at least one of those things!

[bushido_man96]

I agree. I constantly wonder these things of myself, and try to push myself to get to a level that I feel that I should be at. I am not in any hurry to test again anytime soon, so I have the time to make sure that I am gaining knowledge and improving.

When asked about dan rank the instructor would simply say "Your black belt doesn't get any darker with promotions." I found that answer too glib.

Glib, yes, but I can see a point to the statement...

[SaxonPig]

BM96- I can understand avoiding obsession with rank advancement, but my point was that too little is also a bad thing. As for the man's comment about belts not getting any darker, that response really did not address the issue or answer the question. I think the students deserved a better answer than what was offered.