Medulanet

What a wonderful explanation you gave of Dan grades and what they mean.

If there was more than an eye drop of fact in the whole explanation, you might have held my attention.

I'm no black belt of course, One of my sensi's has been a sandan for quite a few years now and he's been doing karate for 20 years, he's 37 now and in good shape so I asked him "have you thought about getting your 4th degree?" and he said "sure I've thought about it but it doesn't mean what it once did"

SANCHIN31, listen man, the important thing is that you remember who you are. Your not the belt you wear, your you. I'm sure all of you black belts have told your students at one time or another "karate's not about the belt" and that's true, it's about growth, expression, self discovery, and perfection of one's self. I know that, and I'm 17, and a green belt, see what I mean? the belt doesn't matter, it's what's in the mind and the heart.

But you know what? I'm sure you knew that already. But in closing I'll just say that there's nothing wrong with wanting the recognition, just to show where you stand in karate. but keep in mind you shouldn't need a belt to remind you who you are.

remember, mind and heart, if you've got that you've got all you need.

I hope my question didn't imply that I am hung up on ranks.I just wear a blackbelt,no stripes or other things on it.
I was more referring to the technical differences in the high ranks.I really see no need for high dan grades myself.4th dan ought to do it,I think beyond that is just honorary.

I always understood that 5th dan was considered the 'technical' peak within the system, often full teachers license would be issued at this point.

As a side point I also assumed this was the minamum rank to be considered for the shihan (expert licenses), renshi, kyoshi and hanshi titles.

5th dan to me should be supported by at least 20 consistant years of practise in the art.

Anyone in our dojo that is higher than 4th dan is expected to wear a black belt that has a red stripe running down the center of the belt, no little gold or white stripes to show your BB rank, just that belt. 4th dan and below can wear the strips if they want, some guys that are 2nd & 3rd still just wear the plain BB, it's really up to the person. There isn't a lot of belt pressure in our school.

After four and one-half years of training, I received my shodan in Kobayshi Shorin-ryu in 1996, nidan in 2000 and sandan in 2003. I'm told that the founder of our style, Shuguro Nakazato, believes that when a student, regardless of rank, has attained a technical proficiency and appropriate attitude for the rank he/she is at, then they're ready to test for promotion. I believe that Hanshi Nakazato feels no student should become complacent or comfortable in his/her rank, no matter what that rank is. If you're promoted, you tend to work harder and longer, you're more motivated to train and learn and live up to that rank. You're also indebted to your instructors for the promotion, thereby further increasing your motivation to learn and your dedication to the ryu. Sure, we all know a "renshi" or a "shihan" who's promotion was based more on politics then on technical proficiency or comprehension of the curriculum. But I believe that these are the exception, and not the rule. Don't let your experience with a few of these guys sour your opinion about higher ranks, in general. Most of them have earned their stripes, so to speak. And for what it's worth, I completely agree with your position about belt color. A dan rank has earned my respect from the moment we're introduced, unless he/she does something to change my mind. And, I'm no better than any new shodan but, if I'm told to prepare for a promotion to yondan, I'll do my best to insure that it won't be for political reasons.

I felt added pressure at 3rd & 5th degree, as they're milestones of a sort. There's no real clear division between belts, and you can't judge a book by its cover (or obi). The current pressure is that the old guard is getting older around here and us 5th & 6th dans will have to run the show soon.

I read the MOST EYE OPENING a while back... It could have been Musashis book of five rings, but im not sure... but it compared getting your black belt to loosing a cow...

Shodan- You have a feeling that you are missing something...
Nidan- you realize you are missing a cow
sandan- you find a hoof print
yondan- you see part of the cow
godan- you see the whole cow

I really want to give a more detailed explanation, and I will once I find the book...

I am not entirely sure that is correct, but thats all i can recall from memory