Thought it might be fun to hear stories of what people/dojos do to celebrate/break-in a new yudansha (black-belt).

Mine is boring (which is why I'd like to hear yours!)...I went out to dinner with everyone after the test. - I couldn't even drink since I was only 16.

let's hear 'em.

Hello Mr. Morris:

You want the ~colorful version~ or the real one?

we went out to dinner, which was nice, until someone pulled two habaneros out of a bag. They told me "you're not a black belt until you eat these!" and I assumed they all had taken their own turns before me so I chomped them. or I'm a gullible individual and they got some laughs at my expense.

just some good natured hazing, nothing dangerous.

Ronin: actual. I admire truth at personal expense. btw: please drop the 'Mr' business and call me 'Ed'....unless you are between grades K-12, THEN 'Mr Morris' is fine.

Borrek: ah yes...hazing. I've heard some walk threw rows of shinai whacks to the butt. ...or was that movie 'Animal House' with paddles? 'thank you sir may I have another!'

For birthdays we walk the line and get swats with the belts.
As for blackbelt break in,hmmmmmm. We shake their hand,the journey there was hard enough.

Mine was pretty boring, too, Mr. Morris.

As I was a full time instructor at the time, after my test (And the PAIN OF BIRTH*, LOL) I got to go home and sleep. Then I had to come in and teach the next day. I did get a few pats on the back and some "About time!" remarks from some of the folks there.

* -

http://www.fightingarts.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/15819867/an/0/page/0#15819867

After my BB test we all went to the local steakhouse and had a meal and a few drinks. After the meal, the chief instructor went and phoned every place that we used as dojos and cancelled them. He then raided all the clubs bank accounts and disappeared with the money. This included all moneys paid by students for gis and other equipment.
Hilarious, huh?

My celebration was the test! After the test we all just bowed and talked for a while, then i slept for the next two days ! Boring huh?

Hello "Ed":

Sigh... it took three days time for the testing to be complete. The second day I brought someone to drive me back home (sic. just in case, I was ~unable~). By the third day the head instructor offered me a place to stay, something delicous to eat the next morning and much, much arnica<sp.?> as I recall. A huge bottle of asperin, much ice throughout the night, and slept for I don't know twelve, fourteen hours maybe?

Then I was taken to my first class and I taught in the same location simply with a new ranking, which IMHO yet again I needed to live upto. It took nearly two weeks (maybe longer) for the bruising and swelling to ~diminish~ such that walking without too big a limp, smiling, breathing was not too, too bad (Kinda fond of breathing personally....)

My "break in" was fairly uneventful. But, the party held several days later... lasted from very early afternoon until very late the next morning. Couldn't tell you how many people, friends, their families, but we went though a huge quantity of food... yum! Anybody who had either gotten a piece of me, or simply wanted to witness or share their happiness... anybody was invited. Had I known you then, you too would have been...

The "breaking-in" lasted ten years... but I think you meant what they did ONCE I was yudansha didn't you <g> ?That's a different story... more soon as time allows,

J

ok...now lets hear the real version.