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From: Scotty
Date: 16 Sep 2007
Time: 22:00:30 -0400
Remote Name: 65.8.214.143
Why do we have a kyu/dan ranking system? I had this conversation with a friend yesterday who practices Atemi Ryu. Can the martial artist within be classified by a rank? What criteria do we use for this kyu/dan ranking? Is it how many kata someone knows, how many boards or bricks they break, or how many people they can beat in fighting that ranks them? Or do we need the ranking system for tournament purposes? Although I use a ranking system in my dojo I'm not so sure it has any deep meaning. The only positive thing that I see from the rank system is the sense of accomplishment that my kids have when they get a stripe, or belt. I guess they use it to set goals to achieve, and there is a good lesson in that. Other than seeing the kids happy, I see no need for it, (remember, my promotions are always free of charge). I promote by attendance, not performance. We just can't expect everyone to be able to do everything. People have physical, and mental handicaps. If they come to the same number of classes as someone without disabilities, they should get the promotion just as well. Society's views of martial arts are so screewed up that if you had a dojo with no rank system very few people would join. Humanity has always had the need to assign positions to people. Gods, Kings, Monarchs, Dictators, Presidents, Managers, Supervisors, and let's not forget skilled craftsman, laborer's, common people, and yes, slaves. There are two things everyone can count on in life, you live, and you die. We are all the same, and cannot be branded with a rank. Thus, rank from a intrinsic meaning is totally worthless.