So, I have the opposite problem from most folks. I am hoping the folks here can help me out with this.
I have been studying Danzan Ryu for almost 20 years now, and spent the last 10 as Shodan. The organization I belong to, has a board that runs the organization and also administers all Dan rank exams. When I tested for Shodan, there was one of these board members as the chief examiner, along with 2 other high ranking Dans assisting in the exam. I appreciate and value the fact, that in our organization, certain standards are maintained, through have all Dan rank exams, include one of the board members. Due to my current location, and being caught in the middle of a bit of politics between two of the board members… I am unable to fulfill the requirements to test for Nidan. I want to say here, that I am ok with this. I am not bucking for rank… in fact I am going for the opposite.
Since moving to Florida, where there is only the one Danzan Ryu school (that I teach at), I have taken up studying Shotokan Karate, started at white belt. The two instructors are very good instructors. However, in the Karate organizations they are involved with, promotion happens the way I assume most other arts use. Once you are above a certain Dan rank, you can promote up to 2 ranks below… (not quite sure about the exact ranks required). The one is 7th Dan and the other 4th. In class, they refer to me as “sensei,” even though I am wearing white (purple now) belt. When visitors, either prospective students or instructors from other schools or systems show up, they explain that the reason they call me “sensei” is that I am the Sensei of the Danzan Ryu Jujitsu school. Recently, they have been introducing me as “Nidan” in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. When I have corrected them, as I am “Shodan,” they reply that I should be Nidan, and that they have therefore promoted me. The trick is that they are doing this to be respectful to me. I do not want to disrespect them, nor do I want word out that there is a Danzan Ryu Nidan here that the Danzan Ryu community does not know about. The dojo we are at, has many Japanese arts that are connected enough that many of the top instructors for these arts, frequently visit and teach at our dojo. Many of these guys are in close contact with some of those board members from my organization. I would really not like to get myself any more involved in the politics above my grade, by them finding out that I am now a surprise “Danzan Ryu Nidan,” without going through their process.
I know this seems backwards, high ranking Dans trying to award me my next Dan rank… and me not wanting it. But, I need to find the least sticky way to resolve this, hopefully without offending anyone.
I have been studying Danzan Ryu for almost 20 years now, and spent the last 10 as Shodan. The organization I belong to, has a board that runs the organization and also administers all Dan rank exams. When I tested for Shodan, there was one of these board members as the chief examiner, along with 2 other high ranking Dans assisting in the exam. I appreciate and value the fact, that in our organization, certain standards are maintained, through have all Dan rank exams, include one of the board members. Due to my current location, and being caught in the middle of a bit of politics between two of the board members… I am unable to fulfill the requirements to test for Nidan. I want to say here, that I am ok with this. I am not bucking for rank… in fact I am going for the opposite.
Since moving to Florida, where there is only the one Danzan Ryu school (that I teach at), I have taken up studying Shotokan Karate, started at white belt. The two instructors are very good instructors. However, in the Karate organizations they are involved with, promotion happens the way I assume most other arts use. Once you are above a certain Dan rank, you can promote up to 2 ranks below… (not quite sure about the exact ranks required). The one is 7th Dan and the other 4th. In class, they refer to me as “sensei,” even though I am wearing white (purple now) belt. When visitors, either prospective students or instructors from other schools or systems show up, they explain that the reason they call me “sensei” is that I am the Sensei of the Danzan Ryu Jujitsu school. Recently, they have been introducing me as “Nidan” in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. When I have corrected them, as I am “Shodan,” they reply that I should be Nidan, and that they have therefore promoted me. The trick is that they are doing this to be respectful to me. I do not want to disrespect them, nor do I want word out that there is a Danzan Ryu Nidan here that the Danzan Ryu community does not know about. The dojo we are at, has many Japanese arts that are connected enough that many of the top instructors for these arts, frequently visit and teach at our dojo. Many of these guys are in close contact with some of those board members from my organization. I would really not like to get myself any more involved in the politics above my grade, by them finding out that I am now a surprise “Danzan Ryu Nidan,” without going through their process.
I know this seems backwards, high ranking Dans trying to award me my next Dan rank… and me not wanting it. But, I need to find the least sticky way to resolve this, hopefully without offending anyone.