What is this mysterious black belt thing ?

[hawkeye98]

Hello all:

I am a 45 year old brown belt in Shuri-te Okinawan karate. For a long time I have dreamed of being a "black belt". I am confused, however. I am told that having earned a black belt is about equal to earning a Bachelors degree in college. I went to college, so I understand this. My sensei says that belt colors don't really mean that much. I am sure he means that he wants his students to not become egotistical or "big headed" just because of their belt color---he has said so. He has also said that after you get the black belt is when the learning really starts. So, my first question is, what "learning" is meant by this ?

My second question is--why is the black belt testing so serious and sort of mysterious if accomplishment of a black belt is not such a "big deal" ?

thanks.

[wab25]

I recently earned my shodan. There was no change in my technique or my ability. However, there was a big change in how other people looked at me, and what they expected of me. Many of these people, I did not expect these changes from. The biggest change I have to make, is finding the humility to accept the fact that there are techniques that I don't do as well as some of the lower belts. I also have to learn to not worry about living up to other peoples expectations, especially, when they are not based on anything they should be. The "learning really starts" when you learn to humble yourself, get off your black belt podium, and learn from other people. When you are white belt, its no big deal to have someone correct you. When you have a black belt, you have to put your ego in your pocket, and humble yourself, to get into a learning state. The better you can do that, the faster you will learn. Making the "black belt" such a big thing, makes you work on your humility more quickly. Even though you know its nothing, everyone else you know, thinks its something and has expectations.

Remember the first time you did something or experienced something? That same thing probably does not have the same effect on you, after much repetition. I can't speak to all schools, but at the one I train at, they want to give you a specific experience for your black belt test. They also want this experience to be a new experience for you. Part of what they are testing is how you adapt while in a brand new experience, and under some type of unfamiliar stress. If I was able to practice the test exactly, for a while before taking it, this whole experience thing would not have happened.

In the end, the belt doesn't mean much. What matters is dedication and time. You need both. All the dedication in the world means nothing, if you never spend time at it... If you have enough dedication for long enough, you will learn to do things correctly in a particular art. (you may even get some colored belts too)

[Nina]

My second question is--why is the black belt testing so serious...

Remember the first time you did something or experienced something? That same thing probably does not have the same effect on you, after much repetition. I can't speak to all schools, but at the one I train at, they want to give you a specific experience for your black belt test.

What do you mean with serious? What is the difference to the other gradings you made before?

[CEB]

My ShoDan gradings are serious because we uphold an old tradition we have where black belts do not pay monthly dues.

If everybody gets a black belt we can not cover expenses.

Good thing we don't have rent to pay.

[Musubi Dojo]

A black belt is measurement that should indicate a certain proficiency level in your particular school. Outside of your particular school it's pretty much useless.

My 2 cents.
c

[Chunmonchek]

Done right, the heaviest piece of cotton there is...

[AllanJGAnderson]

A black belt is measurement that should indicate a certain proficiency level in your particular school. Outside of your particular school it's pretty much useless.

My 2 cents.
c

Agreed (9, 10)

[Padamil]

I remember in my first Shotokan school we had a guy make Shodan. The very next class he was taken aside by 2 other black belts and worked so hard on basics for the whole 2 hours of class that he could barely stand up afterwords. Every stance was nitpicked, they found somthing wrong with everything he did. It was explained to us that now that he had made his Shodan he knew all of the basics. Now his job was to perfect them. The two hour intense drill was to remind him that he was just beginning the journey towards mastery and that you must always practice those basics over and over again. I thought this was a good lesson, not only for him, but for those of us who hadn't yet made it there.

[tgace334]

I recently earned my shodan. There was no change in my technique or my ability. However, there was a big change in how other people looked at me, and what they expected of me. Many of these people, I did not expect these changes from. The biggest change I have to make, is finding the humility to accept the fact that there are techniques that I don't do as well as some of the lower belts. I also have to learn to not worry about living up to other peoples expectations.

I find this passage an excellent statement about new leadership positions in general. I have recently been promoted at work and find myself in the same position as when I was made Sgt. I havent suddenly gained any expertise I didnt have at my previous rank, but the expetations and the way people interact with you changes considerably. If you have the proper mentality, this pushes you to live up to those new expectations.

[Oelier]

Hello all:

I am a 45 year old brown belt in Shuri-te Okinawan karate. For a long time I have dreamed of being a "black belt". I am confused, however. I am told that having earned a black belt is about equal to earning a Bachelors degree in college. I went to college, so I understand this. My sensei says that belt colors don't really mean that much. I am sure he means that he wants his students to not become egotistical or "big headed" just because of their belt color---he has said so. He has also said that after you get the black belt is when the learning really starts. So, my first question is, what "learning" is meant by this ?

My second question is--why is the black belt testing so serious and sort of mysterious if accomplishment of a black belt is not such a "big deal" ?

thanks.

First, I agree with everything everyone has said thus far. Here are my takes on your two questions:

In my experience, the learning at the black belt level is as much (or more) mental and emotional than physical. I personally did a whole lot of thinking of what it means to be a black belt. I had to come to terms with a bunch of stuff already mentioned, as well as several things not mentioned. It took me about a year-and-a-half to finally settle down and be a "black belt", not a guy who has a piece of colored cloth.

Keeping style/school-specific tests out of the picture, black belt testing tends to be (not always) a serious matter because by the time you finish, you should feel like you've done something. Pushing your knowledge and skills to the limit and yourself beyond what you think is your limit is one way of accomplishing this. At a more academic level, a black belt test (and often a ceremony) bestows a certain level of credibility in the eyes of the lower rank students not previously possessed by the new minted black belt. Right or wrong, there is a tendency for this to occur and is often taken advantage of by head instructors to help maintain discipline in the long run.

That being said, I've met at least one instructor who does not have "tests." When he sees you're ready for your next rank (including the various dan ranks), he gives you the belt.

[CEB]

.....
In my experience, the learning at the black belt level is as much (or more) mental and emotional than physical. .....

Do you think this is a good thing?

[doubleouch]

Black belt is a big deal..... Until you get one. Then you wonder why you made such a big fuss over it. If you concentrate on your training and let your instructor concentrate on belts you'll be in good shape...

[Oelier]

Black belt is a big deal..... Until you get one.

best response yet

[Oelier]

Do you think this is a good thing?

In general, yes. In terms of specifics, it comes down to the "end result". If you end up as one of these black belts who think they are the Avatar of Martial Arts (and act on that belief), then it's a bad thing.

[Jay Bell]

Hello all:

I am a 45 year old brown belt in Shuri-te Okinawan karate. For a long time I have dreamed of being a "black belt". I am confused, however. I am told that having earned a black belt is about equal to earning a Bachelors degree in college. I went to college, so I understand this. My sensei says that belt colors don't really mean that much. I am sure he means that he wants his students to not become egotistical or "big headed" just because of their belt color---he has said so. He has also said that after you get the black belt is when the learning really starts. So, my first question is, what "learning" is meant by this ?

My second question is--why is the black belt testing so serious and sort of mysterious if accomplishment of a black belt is not such a "big deal" ?

thanks.

Excellent questions, Jeff. I'll put my two cents in..

"Black Belt", by those who didn't understand what the rank was many years ago, had an air of mystery. McDojo and various other schools of self-made masters just added to the affect. Even today, when the shroud has lightened up, people still go ga-ga over a belt color.

Bachelor's degree...good analogy, but I'd rather it be a high school diploma. Essentially black belt is the stage where your fundamentals are sound. English grammer, composition, simple arithmetic and a bit on the history of the country and the world. When you go to college, you delve into the details of the above and actually get something worth while out of the studying. Something that is useful. Until then, it's just scattered theories, techniques and parts.

While the rank isn't such a big and glorious prize, at the same time, it is. It means the skills that you've learned have finally come together into something tangible and able to be used, demonstrated (under stress most times) with some level of skill. That's a good thing.

[Jeff C.]

I'm going to beat Ed to the punch on this one. A black belt is what Sensei says it is.

Jeff Cook

[CEB]

Well it is true.

ShoDan is an idea. All ideas take their meaning from each individual's particular frame of reference.

[Jonathan Randall]

Hello all:

I am a 45 year old brown belt in Shuri-te Okinawan karate. For a long time I have dreamed of being a "black belt". I am confused, however. I am told that having earned a black belt is about equal to earning a Bachelors degree in college. I went to college, so I understand this. My sensei says that belt colors don't really mean that much. I am sure he means that he wants his students to not become egotistical or "big headed" just because of their belt color---he has said so. He has also said that after you get the black belt is when the learning really starts. So, my first question is, what "learning" is meant by this ?

My second question is--why is the black belt testing so serious and sort of mysterious if accomplishment of a black belt is not such a "big deal" ?

thanks.

It is both.

Also, and I doubt that this is the case with your sensei who sounds like he has a good attitude, but some instructors like to have their cake and eat it too - talk humility while discussing dan ranks, while at the same time making you aware of just how important theirs is. I found this approach most common among self-promoted or "professional courtesy" promoted heads of made-up Kenpo styles.

[Rasputin]

I am very proud of having earned my Shodan. 16 years ago this week, when I was in the ICU after my motorcycle accident and my First Sergeant was begging me for permission to call my parents in New Jersey to let them know that I could go at any time, nobody on Earth would have guessed that I would be able to accomplish this.

There are plenty of things I cannot do and probably will never be able to do with any degree of accuracy or finesse. That's OK. There are lots of things I can both perform and teach which people look at and go "woah".

When I started taking jujutsu, I did so with the absolute certainty that I was going to stick with it until I earned my black belt. Having done so, I attend each class with the certainty that I will continue to practice jujutsu until they roll me into the furnace. Death better be up on his ukemi.

[Jonathan Randall]

I am very proud of having earned my Shodan. 16 years ago this week, when I was in the ICU after my motorcycle accident and my First Sergeant was begging me for permission to call my parents in New Jersey to let them know that I could go at any time, nobody on Earth would have guessed that I would be able to accomplish this.

There are plenty of things I cannot do and probably will never be able to do with any degree of accuracy or finesse. That's OK. There are lots of things I can both perform and teach which people look at and go "woah".

When I started taking jujutsu, I did so with the absolute certainty that I was going to stick with it until I earned my black belt. Having done so, I attend each class with the certainty that I will continue to practice jujutsu until they roll me into the furnace. Death better be up on his ukemi.

Good job.