tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post4331061323250063397..comments2023-11-22T00:27:30.275-08:00Comments on Japanese Jiu Jitsu: A Journey: Lessons in Budo - HumilityJourneymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146093025259375890noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-74835709083305113952017-12-08T05:19:02.505-08:002017-12-08T05:19:02.505-08:00This is good knowledge gaining article. This post ...This is good knowledge gaining article. This post is really the best on this valuable topic. <a href="http://aikidokaweb.com/" rel="nofollow">aikido</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908263477148839415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-55112650718469208032012-07-08T17:01:31.170-07:002012-07-08T17:01:31.170-07:00Waldomarek,
Your point is not lost on me. I used...Waldomarek,<br /><br />Your point is not lost on me. I used the analogy of sitting at the grown ups table to me that you get grouped with people of similar skill sets, which allows just want you mentioned. You raise a good point that it isn't just for you to enjoy the color of your belt, it is so others can judge your abilities or tolerance levels. <br /><br />It also does serve to assist newer members in understanding what it takes to get to a certain level and to be satisfied with their own progression (at times).<br /><br />Thanks.Journeymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00146093025259375890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-47317462605347772562012-07-08T00:38:19.434-07:002012-07-08T00:38:19.434-07:00i see many good points being mentioned here about ...i see many good points being mentioned here about the pros and cons of a belt. one important point you seem to forget (my sensei stresses this a lot) is that a belt is also a way for other people to see your degree and by that degree they can judge how far they can go on you and how far they can let you go on them.<br /><br />when sparring, if a green belt is wearing his white belt and he is sparring against a yellow belt, the yellow belt may be misguided by the belt of his opponent and this may result in injuries.waldomarekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01858647720549830278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-72525842469100552242012-07-06T19:00:26.818-07:002012-07-06T19:00:26.818-07:00Michele,
You are lucky to be part of that type of...Michele,<br /><br />You are lucky to be part of that type of community, as am I. <br /><br />And yes, it's always been humbling when I've shared the mats with masters who have been training for longer than I've been alive. It's always a great shot of perspective. Just when I think I'm getting pretty good, I realize I've just scratched the surface.<br /><br />I hope your annual training seminar was a great time.Journeymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00146093025259375890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-89295322940828046322012-07-05T09:48:26.716-07:002012-07-05T09:48:26.716-07:00Journeyman: I think the community/dojo/organizati...Journeyman: I think the community/dojo/organization sets the lesson in humility. I feel fortunate to be part of an organization that promotes sharing of information without the ego. The focus is on the training. This past weekend was our Annual Training seminar. There were people on the floor with 30, 40 or more years of training. It puts things in perspective...Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04317845403611730397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-59547604023024749312012-07-04T16:32:22.694-07:002012-07-04T16:32:22.694-07:00John,
I didn't really get into the history of...John,<br /><br />I didn't really get into the history of the colored belt system, so thanks for the snapshot on how it came into being. I always liked the competing theory that originally everyone had a white belt, and after many years of training, it eventually went black from time, sweat, dirt etc. Not sure it's accurate historically, but I like it none the less.<br /><br />Knowing what a grade 'means' is quite important. Does it refer to self defense ability or covering sections of a curriculum, or learning certain katas? These things do matter. Good points. Thanks.Journeymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00146093025259375890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-54799064822926068842012-07-03T21:28:31.051-07:002012-07-03T21:28:31.051-07:00An understanding of the history of the kyu-dan gra...An understanding of the history of the kyu-dan grading and belt system puts the issue in perspective, and also supports what has been said to a large degree above.<br /><br />Kano introduced the black belt. Until then, everyone wore white, reflecting Brett's comment. The coloured kyu belt system was introduced by a Japanese jujutsuka/judoka who emigrated to France. This was one of his introductions. He found/thought that Western students needed a symbol of their progress and so introduced the kyu grades with different coloured belts. This methodology has since been adopted by many other unrelated martial arts.<br /><br />There is obviously a lot of merit to the many arguments that are put up in support or against the belt/grading system. That is why I think each and every grading system needs to be assessed on its own merits to see what those grades 'mean' as the meaning is different for each martial art and martial art school.<br /><br />Keep up with the meditations that forces people to think about what they are doing.John Coleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14634192254115557179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-79940209034221738802012-07-01T20:58:45.143-07:002012-07-01T20:58:45.143-07:00Brett,
I like thinking of the belts as mile marke...Brett,<br /><br />I like thinking of the belts as mile markers. I, too, am tempted to forget about colored belts altogether from time to time. They can serve as a way to keep yourself in check though. A reminder that while you've progressed, there is still much to learn. Thanks.<br /><br />Beca,<br /><br />I found your comment interesting about bowing. It does show that there is more to it than might initially meet the eye. I've met a few people that felt bowing was a subservient act. I've felt it is a sign of respect for those who have come before you, and for those who know a lot more than me.<br /><br />My Sensei runs the testing, but the grading, or scoring, is done by a few of his trusted black belts. Your system seems to have even more separation between teacher and those grading, but I support having different sets of eyes judge your progress. <br /><br />By the way, green is a significant accomplishment, so congratulations on your progress. I hope your training continues to go well. Thanks for commenting.<br /><br />Sue,<br /><br />This paradox has always fascinated me. You need to have it to know you don't need it. <br /><br />There are many good points about the belt system. I think you are spot on about students needing to have that 'prop'. Especially with younger martial artists. There's nothing wrong with a visual 'nod' to your experience, as long as it's tempered with a degree of maturity and perspective. I think you've really hit the nail on the head about maturity. Belts are a great mile marker, as Brett says, but they certainly don't always tell the whole story.<br /><br />Keeping students interested until they get some martial maturity is important for the longevity of the arts. If colored belts help get students there, I guess that's a good thing.<br /><br />Thanks everyone for the comments.Journeymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00146093025259375890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-87483241085293754902012-06-29T06:14:38.450-07:002012-06-29T06:14:38.450-07:00Sue,
About the rate of attrition, I think you'...Sue,<br /><br />About the rate of attrition, I think you're right. Going back to my point before, belts can be useful if they serve as just a mile marker (or kilometer, for you!). <br /><br />As a former runner I can tell you that it was always easier to run a route if i knew how far it was. Same thing applies to MA training, I think.Kyokushin Karatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14852479578293851776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-24792108451067592402012-06-29T04:45:10.548-07:002012-06-29T04:45:10.548-07:00This question about belts is never far from most m...This question about belts is never far from most martial artist's minds, which ever side of the fence they fall on! Apart from a few exceptions I don't think it's possible to convince most beginners (i.e kyu graders) that belts are not important. It takes the martial arts maturity of a black belt (or kyu grader of great longevity!) to understand that belts are not really important and actually get in the way of good training. However, we all start as beginners so it is part of the journey everyone has to go through at their own pace - you can't put a 'black belts' head on a 'kyu graders' shoulders! I call this the black belt paradox - you need to achieve the black belt to realise that you don't need it (or any of the belts that came before it)! To deny kyu graders the chance to work through their belt system though may be counter-productive. Most students need that 'prop' of acquiring ranks to keep them motivated to continue training until they reach a level of understanding about their art to realise it's not so important. I think the attrition rate would be much higher than it already is and we would lose many a person who has the potential to be a superb martial artist once they reach the right level of maturity and understanding. <br /><br />Though I appreciate the arguments against the coloured belt system I still think it has value for most students, so it still gets my vote!Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-69876358525872674612012-06-29T03:16:45.200-07:002012-06-29T03:16:45.200-07:00I guess you could say I'm a proud person; when...I guess you could say I'm a proud person; when I first started Jitsu in September I had an issue with Rei(ing) to my Sensei and did it simply because I was told to and everyone else did. Something in my mind questioned it but the more I trained the more it became genuine<br /><br />As for belts, we are graded externally so it's about performing on the day as the grading Sensei is unlikely to have seen any of your Jitsu before. My own Sensei well and trully put me through my paces for green and I thoroughly know I deserved to make it to the We have more belts than your system; I have greengrading (although it's external we have to have permission from our own Sensei to attend). Getting my green belt meant a lot to me, proof to myself how far I've come. <br /><br />I'm green now but there are two more before dark blue which are a lot more widely spaced than the first few. I train at a lot of clubs and regional events so it's good to be able to train with people knowing how hard you can train with them but also because they know how hard they can go on you.<br /><br />B.Becahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06768802704640848963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697069502806403520.post-50318509394330590952012-06-28T12:47:07.774-07:002012-06-28T12:47:07.774-07:00I've thought a lot about my belts and while I ...I've thought a lot about my belts and while I tend to wax and wane on this, I am of the general mind that I would rather wear my white belt until I am given (read: EARNED) my black belt than go through all the colors. They're a nice mile marker, sure, but they are a distraction. <br /><br />Besides, if I wear the colors of a beginner, it may just help me keep the mind of a beginner, too.<br /><br /><br />-BrettKyokushin Karatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14852479578293851776noreply@blogger.com