lklawson
Grandmaster
Well, while this wasn't what I was attempting to communicate, I'll try to answer your questions.
However, more to the point I was trying to make, closer to it anyway, a rank is really only applicable within a given system. A 2nd rank in Wondur Fu Lart is only a marker of skill within Wondur Fu Lart and has no bearing upon any other art, and even then only when conferred or confirmed by someone with appropriate standing within Wondur Fu Lart.
Sometimes skill just needs to be "recognized," I agree. That's why some arts, Judo for instance, have Batsugun.
I will further stipulate that this can be a difficulty for "new" or "reconstructed" martial arts (any of the medieval Longsword or Knightly arts, for instance) in which there is no "living lineage" holder to confer rank. In those cases it is generally accepted to "go slowly" and be very conservative about your claims. Still the point of rank is as a marker of skill and advancement within a given system so it can be important to have some sort of marker system even in a "new" or reconstructed art.
I have a short essay on the pros and cons of a ranking system. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Ranking System: http://www.facebook.com/pages/CBD-Western-Martial-Arts/147061672002258#!/notes/cbd-western-martial-arts/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-ranking-system/351121251587999
Peace favor your sword,
Kirk
I don't think so. A lot of it has to do with Social Context. For instance, in certain places in medieval Europe anyone could claim to be a Fight Master. Usually, their instructor(s) would decide when they were a Master and then they could go and try to drum up business, sometimes by teaching under/for/to local nobility. But the other "Fight Masters" were free to call BS and talk bad about them or challenge them. To a certain degree, "Rank Is In The Ring" sort of thing.Mr Lawson,
Sorry for the possible off topic question.
If a system does not have a ranking system, and no certification paperwork, and uses word of mouth and the instructor telling the student they are ready to teach, is this a self appointed rank?
I wouldn't say so. If you go by the title "Coach" because your students call you that, then, to them anyway, you're a coach. I know some folks who are (more or less) jokingly sometimes referred to as "Professor." It's an archaic term in modern martial English language context but meant more 100 years ago.Also if others call you by a title based upon your skills demonstrated to them directly is that a self appointed rank or title as well?
However, more to the point I was trying to make, closer to it anyway, a rank is really only applicable within a given system. A 2nd rank in Wondur Fu Lart is only a marker of skill within Wondur Fu Lart and has no bearing upon any other art, and even then only when conferred or confirmed by someone with appropriate standing within Wondur Fu Lart.
Sometimes skill just needs to be "recognized," I agree. That's why some arts, Judo for instance, have Batsugun.
I will further stipulate that this can be a difficulty for "new" or "reconstructed" martial arts (any of the medieval Longsword or Knightly arts, for instance) in which there is no "living lineage" holder to confer rank. In those cases it is generally accepted to "go slowly" and be very conservative about your claims. Still the point of rank is as a marker of skill and advancement within a given system so it can be important to have some sort of marker system even in a "new" or reconstructed art.
I have a short essay on the pros and cons of a ranking system. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Ranking System: http://www.facebook.com/pages/CBD-Western-Martial-Arts/147061672002258#!/notes/cbd-western-martial-arts/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-ranking-system/351121251587999
Peace favor your sword,
Kirk