Thread: Black Belt????
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Old 02-10-2006, 07:23 AM   #12
ian
 
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Dojo: University of Ulster, Coleriane
Location: Northern Ireland
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,654
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Re: Black Belt????

I have an amusing scheme for students at my club: Since 'wearing a hakama' is seen as prestigious, I don't let anyone wear a hakama until they no longer ask 'when can I wear a hakama'.

Similarly, many people ask 'when can I wear a black belt' - I rarely hear 'how long will it take to get to 2nd kyu, or nidan'. The status associated with a blackbelt is such that I think someone who obtains one should realise the effort (not time) required, and by that stage the prestige of the black-belt pales into nothingness compared with the actual learning experience required to get that belt.

Thus, to answer your question; the time it takes you to get a black belt is the time it takes you detatch any importance to it as a belt.

(sorry if this sounds condescending - not my intention)

---understanding aikido is understanding the training method---
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