Ranking System

[Yamabushi]

I read most of the thread "age, rank, and knowledge"...It reminded me of this article. I don't know if this has been posted before, but it pretty much sums up what the kyu/dan ranking system really is all about.

Ask yourself why Japanese Shihan still can get menkyo, while you just get these judo style belts/ranks. (and pay dearly for them).

Commercialism? Maybe, maybe not. But regardless, it is not the same as menkyo.



http://www.judoinfo.com/ranks.htm


"Ask me about senban..."

 

[Dale Seago]

I read most of the thread "age, rank, and knowledge"...It reminded me of this article. I don't know if this has been posted before, but it pretty much sums up what the kyu/dan ranking system really is all about.

Ask yourself why Japanese Shihan still can get menkyo, while you just get these judo style belts/ranks. (and pay dearly for them).

Commercialism? Maybe, maybe not. But regardless, it is not the same as menkyo.



http://www.judoinfo.com/ranks.htm

Not sure just what you're getting at here, as you seem to have some incorrect premises.

The kyu-dan system originated in the 1600s, applied to the game of Go. By Kano's time it was also being used in other activities such as Chado, Ikebana, and school athletics. That last is important because the Meiji Restoration brought a big push to modernize Japan and the old bujutsu were threatened, which was part of the reason for the creation of the Kodokan and the early association of judo with the public school system. Commercialism is a by-product, not the original purpose.

The classical ryu had their commercial aspects: The very term "soke" was all about what today we might call a copyright.

I'm not aware of the Bujinkan's Japanese shihan being "able to get menkyo", though certainly Hatsumi sensei can issue them if he wants. He did give menkyo in some ryu to a few in the early days, but if I recall correctly this was before the Bujinkan as such even existed - I certainly don't know of any awarded during the 25 years I've been training.

As for paying "dearly" for grades, I suppose that depends on what you consider expensive. Kyu grades cost about what you'd pay for a movie with popcorn and a soft drink, and shodan is comparable to dinner in a really good restaurant.

 

[Chris Parker]

Hi, Dale,

An informative post as always, well phrased and professionally delivered. However, as our OP seems to have managed to get themselves banned within a few short hours of joining and their first post, I'm not sure how much positive influence you can have on them... Oh, well, we get to benefit, at least!

 

[Cryozombie]

Hi, Dale,

An informative post as always, well phrased and professionally delivered. However, as our OP seems to have managed to get themselves banned within a few short hours of joining and their first post, I'm not sure how much positive influence you can have on them... Oh, well, we get to benefit, at least!

OP joined and spammed me with ads for his shuriken via PM. I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

 

[Chris Parker]

Cool. I'm never worried too much about why people get banned, just feel sorry for their loss...

 

[Aiki Lee]

OP joined and spammed me with ads for his shuriken via PM. I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

Me too.

 

[jks9199]

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