Rank/Shogo Statement

[sensei8]

Concerning Rank and Shogo titles. I've one simple statement pertaining to myself.

My Rank, Hachidan, just means that I'm teachable and my Shogo title, Hanshi, just means that I can teach.

Whatever others read into it, that's up to them, but for me, my statement is just that.

Thanks!!

Comments?

[sensei8]

Shindokan has nothing to do with rank/title.

While we may take different paths up any given mountain, but when we reach the summit, we all stare at the same moon. It's the journey that we must seek, not the destination. Belt ranks are nothing more than sign posts along the path within our journey. I only seek knowledge; I don't, then or now, seek rank/title.

Others seem more affixed over my rank/titles than I am; please let's gaze at the same moon in wonderment, and give no thoughts to my rank/title.

[Open minded]

Like you say all a belt is something to hold your trousers up

the colour of your belt don't give us magicle powers

It's about one self and belief in yourself rather than focusing on colour of belt or title you hold

[bushido_man96]

Rank and title have their places and their merits. I'll admit that when I was a younger student, the next rank meant the world to me. Working towards the next rank was my motivation, and I loved being awarded my new belt and certificate after a testing. Now, I see things differently. I don't hold against anyone who desires to increase their ranks and such; for some, that's what it takes to motivate them. When I work with my students, though, I try to relate to them much the same things you do, Bob; that the journey is what is important.

[Chunmonchek]

Rank serves some legitimate purposes. In a large organization Rank helps with organization administration, as well as to encourage those beginners who are encouraged by external recognition of accomplishment.

In a perfect world, its a personal matter between teacher and student, no more, no less.

Anymore, Rank is rank...

[Dobbersky]

OSU!!

To me you are one of the reasons, Sensei8, That I continue to rise up the ranks, I don't have Dan Bars on our belts and if I am half the Karateka as you, I will be happy.

I am the most senior person in my school/organisation, but I am still just a Sensei and as I have to accept the grades on a time served merit I still will, but I strive like you the be the best example to my students as I can.

[sensei8]

OSU!!

To me you are one of the reasons, Sensei8, That I continue to rise up the ranks, I don't have Dan Bars on our belts and if I am half the Karateka as you, I will be happy.

I am the most senior person in my school/organisation, but I am still just a Sensei and as I have to accept the grades on a time served merit I still will, but I strive like you the be the best example to my students as I can.

Thank you for your very kind words, I bow to you as well. I thank my Dai-Soke for everything that he's instilled within me to be the karateka that I am; then, now, and in the future.

[shadowspawn]

There was this story that one of my old senseis told me once. Whether it is a true story or even a traditional story, I have no idea. The story was that this person heard that so and so was the greatest karate sensei in the entire region. He went to go train with said sensei. This sensei gave him a white belt and would teach him the basics/kata to practice on his own. He required that this student wear that belt at all times while he trained and that he train outside. The student trained every day in front of the master's house for years. He never spoke of promoting this student and at times, the student wondered if the master even cared or whether he was truly the master that everyone claimed he was. Yet he continued to go to the master's place and train every day wearing the same belt in the same spot drilling the basics and the kata he was taught every day. Finally the student approaches the master and asks "Sensei, I've been training the same things every day as you asked for years now. When am I going to get my black belt?" The master replies, "What are you talking about? You're wearing it!" He looks down and sure enough, over the years, as the student had trained and trained outside, the accumulation of dust, sweat, and dirt had turned his white belt black.

The point of this story is that, to anyone aside from that student, the belt would likely have simply looked like a filthy tattered white obi, but to the student, it was a manifestation of all the time and effort he had put into his training. That is what I personally believe all belts to be. Merely a reflection of your dedication to a specific martial art. To anyone else, it means nothing, but to the individual who worked for it, it's proof to themselves (if no one else) that they went through what was required to be called a master in their art.