Thoughts on Belt Rankings
Comments taken from PFS-STX.COM web forum thread on ranking systems...
As a 'Traditional' martial artist (24 generations of Samurai), I hope to offer a radically different
perspective. I personally, am firmly against the belt system , standardized testing and standardized
curriculum in my school - not just for the obvious reasons.
The whole belt ranking idea is relatively new to the martial arts. It originated during the Meiji Era
(1868-1912), a time of radical change in Japan. Like most merchant influenced bureaucrats, the
new industry driven government wanted to establish control. They had just won a revolution and
quickly took steps to prevent another. First they disassembled the former military system, replacing
the rebellious, Clan based samurai from which they arose, with a conscript peasant army. In a wave
of 'nationalism' the new rulers crafted a new version of 'Bushido', ironically influenced strongly by
imported Confucian ideals. This helped to establish a strong sense of hierarchy and absolute obedience
in the new 'warrior' class. Along with a standardized training curriculum came a substandard level of
professional soldier (one didn't want the peasants to know too much), marking another historical
transition: the institutionalized use of human beings as 'cannon fodder'.
It's no coincidence that the first 'black belts' first appeared around 1887 just ten years after the
Samurai were forbidden to wear 2 swords through their sash as their own symbol of martial skill
or rank. First it was just Black or White to separate expert from novice.
There once was a saying "you must wear your 'men' (fencing mask) 3000 times." This meant that
in order to achieve true understanding of the martial arts, you must put on your helmet and spar
3000 matches. During times of peace, the dedicated martial artist might spend years traveling
from Dojo to Dojo to test, experience and learn. Miyamoto Musashi's traditional 'musha-shugyo'
or 'warrior pilgrimage' is famous. As this practice faded away and tournaments became more and
more restrictive, the Japanese martial arts, with few exceptions, completed that fateful descent
from warfare to dueling, then sport. European martial arts made a similar transition, take modern
fencing for instance.
As the martial arts evolved away from actual combat, the need arose for an alternative method
of grading skill that provided a distinct set of goals separate from actually fighting . Still borrowing
on Confucianism, a ranking system was employed that let everyone know their place. To stroke
the ego, there would always be someone above you and always someone below. It wasn't until
several decades later that the actual multi-coloured belt idea was brought to Japan from Europe(!)
to give the less advanced students a means to display whatever rank they had achieved - however minor.
The long-term result is that most martial artists today have the next coloured belt, trophy or certificate
as their primary (if not only) goal in training. As my students soon realize, that is reason alone for me
to withhold an Apprenticeship!
It's funny, but throughout history, the same people who start with nothing and rise to the top, while
overthrowing the establishment, not only end up becoming the establishment, but in their quest for
personal security, do everything possible to forbid that same opportunity to others. Just please don't
do the same, unintentionally.
Sorry for the rant, folks - couldn't help myself. But, I don't teach so I can make a living, I make a living so I can teach!
Peace,
Makoto
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