Can't Take It!

[Archimoto]

There are two issues at play.

Knowledge and ability.

Generally knowledge is forever and ability is not quite as constant. This is why you don't have to take your SATs every 5 years to maintain your college degree.

So let's take two scenarios:

1. An individual who has dedicated 40 years to training and is currently a Godan but if we are honest at 55 years of age wouldn't exactly dominate at a tournament even in the Shodan level. He can train a Shodan how to dominate at a tournament but his days of getting all four flags every time are more than a decade past.

2. An individual who once attained the rank of Shodan after 6 years of training then quit and hasn't practiced in over 20 years. He can't remember what Kiba Dachi means, couldn't get a side kick past his beer belly and has devoted his time to cigarettes and reality TV.

In each case both individuals legitimately attained the rank of Shodan. But are both of them STILL a Shodan?

I stopped perusing organized systems at Sandan and as a consequence I can never be ranked higher. But in the almost 20 years that I have held a Sandan grade (as well as handful of Shodans) I have bested 4th and 5th Dans. Does that make me a Yodan or Godan grade? Does it mean they should lose their rank because they were beaten by a Sandan?

Furthermore, if one of the ranking bodies I am no longer a member of decided they will no longer recognize my rank does that really mean anything? I still know what I know and can still do most of it well enough to keep up with Shodan grades who are 20 years younger than me.

In a very real way rank is almost meaningless. I've learned more since getting my Sandan grade than I learned from white belt to Sandan. If I decided to remain within that system and under that organization I'd certainly be wearing a much higher grade.

But to me it was more interesting to simply be a martial artist.

I happen to agree with sensei8 but you raise a good point. I suppose it's the value of your rank - or the way it's perceived - that will vary depending on whether you're person 1 versus person 2 in your example above.

[sensei8]

Perception is reality, and with that, how ones rank is perceived varies more from the practitioners than from any governing body. Governing bodies have their By-Laws, and they're to be enforced. What an individual perceives of another's rank is akin to a tight rope walk across a volcano in very high winds. How to calm the winds so that one doesn't fall into the volcano? Proof is on the floor!!

I will reach an age where my physical skills won't meet up with my knowledge, however, my rank won't become unwoven; tattered, possibly, but complete.

SteyrAUG's post is solid. In 1995, I retired from active competitions shortly after having garnered 4 Grand Championships, as well as a 2nd place in the Masters Division in Kumite at the Bakersfield All-Open Karate Tournament. I was a Nanadan. I don't know for certain if I'd still have the same success today. Not because I'm not more than capable, but because I'm older now, and my physical presence isn't as it was then.

In Shindokan circles, my ranks valid; I'm known. If I was to enter new circles outside of Shindokan, I'm nobody, and my rank means nothing, as it shouldn't be until it's proven in "THEIR" eyes.

Rank is forever, imho!! Alas, I'd rather have the knowledge than the rank, any day!!

EDIT: Spelling errors

Edited April 21, 2014 by sensei8

[Archimoto]

Ha! You may not win a championship today because time catches up with all of us. But I bet you're a much better MA teacher now than you were back then. And passing on the art is essential. So the proof remains on the floor - even if it's your students!

You might be example #3 in steri's solid post above...

[sensei8]

Ha! You may not win a championship today because time catches up with all of us. But I bet you're a much better MA teacher now than you were back then. And passing on the art is essential. So the proof remains on the floor - even if it's your students!

You might be example #3 in steri's solid post above...

Solid post, thank you for your kind words, especially the bold type above, even more so with the underlined text within the bold type above!! Students are an indication or a barometer to gauge said instructors teaching value.

Passing Shindokan onto the entire student body, not just my immediate students, is my sole purpose both as an instructor as well as the current Kaicho.

Thank you, again!!

[Archimoto]