Black Dragon Posted August 21, 2003 Posted August 21, 2003 Wow, I'm arrogant in your opinion. Let me tell you something about yourself. You also make contradicting arguments. If the belt doesn't mean anything then why is it so important for me to take it off? So recognize or be hospitalized Cuz literally on a scale from one to ten I'm 25.
Sasori_Te Posted August 21, 2003 Author Posted August 21, 2003 I'm not asking you to take off your belt. I just personally believe that "true" karateka should not have a problem with it. That's my opinion and mine alone. We all have the right to our opinions don't we? That's why we're here. To discuss our differences and give our opinions. My opinion isn't any more or less important than yours. If you dislike my opinion then don't respond to it. Ignore it. A block is a strike is a lock is a throw.
Sasori_Te Posted August 21, 2003 Author Posted August 21, 2003 Anyone know how to delete a double post? A block is a strike is a lock is a throw.
renketsu Posted August 21, 2003 Posted August 21, 2003 (edited) Sasori_Te and solo - I agree with you 100% If you train in a different art or style (even a different club), you should offer to wear whatever colour belt the instructor requests of you. Be careful to remember you are new to this style and have no experience of their techniques and ideas... no matter what grade / belt you are in one style/art - it means absolutely nothing in another style/art. Always remember you are a blackbelt - I dont think I've ever heard of anyone having this taken off them but dont expect everyone to appreciate you demanding to wear it at their classes. I trained at a Wado Ryu club (a style which is derived from Shotokan and therefore not overly different) and asked the instructor what belt he prefered me to wear out of respect for him and his club after I told him my grade - I didn't care what colour he choose - it's his class not mine and I know I am still a nidan in Shotokan regardless of what colour belt I wear for training. Just my tuppence worth Andy. Edited August 21, 2003 by renketsu Andy Wilkinson (Sandan)Renketsu Karate Club Senior Instructor(http://www.renketsu.org.uk)
Black Dragon Posted August 21, 2003 Posted August 21, 2003 Interesting points you make valid arguments, but I still dont agree So recognize or be hospitalized Cuz literally on a scale from one to ten I'm 25.
Sauzin Posted August 21, 2003 Posted August 21, 2003 Black Dragon, I believe I understand what you are saying. You've worked hard for your belt and you feel it would be disrespectful to the work you have done to take it off. You also feel that people do judge people based of off belt color and you wish to be judged for the rank you really are. I would not argue that a belt means nothing. I would say it should mean nothing, but in reality it has many meanings. To you it is a symbol of your hard work. To a sensei in another art it may be a symbol of what you think you already know, and are therefore unwilling to relearn from him. Your refusal would show most teaches that you have an unusual need for recognition and are afraid of how other people may judge you (see second reason of previous paragraph). Were I you I would look at prioritizing what you want to say to a potential instructor. Is it more important to say with your belt, "I worked hard and I know a lot about my style" or is it more important to say, "I value what you have to teach enough to learn it from the beginning and in your class you can rank me as you see fit." Personally I would expect my actions to naturally portray the first and I would put the second as a priority to convey. To me, showing respect to others is more important then demanding respect of myself. Demanding respect is a wasted effort. I find that respect naturally comes to those who earn it. Each sensei is a new opportunity to do this. -Paul The only two things that stand between an effective art and one that isn't are a tradition to draw knowledge from and the mind to practice it.
Sasori_Te Posted August 21, 2003 Author Posted August 21, 2003 Very well said Sauzin. Always good to get a fresh approach. A block is a strike is a lock is a throw.
kataman Posted August 30, 2003 Posted August 30, 2003 I started karate in 1984 and i got my green belt in 1985 today i'am still green belt but i am 35 years old insted of 16. after a bit of judo and aikido i am a better fighter today and i have more control ,but someday i will be black belt. I don't train for belt color I train to survive on the street
delta1 Posted August 30, 2003 Posted August 30, 2003 (just read it again, he's right on the money!) I can wear a pink belt if I want... I know of one school that has a pink belt hanging on the wall. If you get a big head about your rank, or hold your rank over others inapropriately, or just get too focused on the next belt instead of the knowlege, you get to wear the pink until the instructor thinks you've learned some humility. And it doesn't matter what rank you are, you can be pinked! Freedom isn't free!
Kamidake Posted August 30, 2003 Posted August 30, 2003 And don't forget, the colored-belt system only goes back to the 19th century. So don't get too wrapped up in it (sorry, unintentional pun); it's not as if you're violating centuries of samurai tradition if you change colors! Actually, you're violating centuries of samurai tradition if you get involved in the belt system at all. The reason Kano Jigoro started the belt system was he wanted to put his snobbish ex-samurai students on an equal footing with the common ruck; he wanted everybody to start out on a level field and for only merit to count, rather than one's bloodlines. This was a laudable goal, but conditions in the 21st century are different. So I suggest that you enjoy the belt system if that's your thing, but don't let a change of colors bother you unduly. I bet Kano sensei wouldn't have. (He seems to have been an eminently practical person.)
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