Origin: Japanese
Ranks are a very complex subject in martial arts. As such they are highly debated. The exact meaning of the coveted “black belt” varies by system to system, and even school to school. Most modern Japanese martial arts, and quite a few others, have adopted the kyu/dan belt system first used by Kano Jigoro in 1883. This is the familiar colored belt system where each kyu (level) achieved earns a new belt color. The kyu count down (fifth kyu, fourth kyu, etc.) to “0” where one shifts belt colors and gains a black belt. Then the numbers start counting up. Nidan is a second degree, sandan is a third degree, etc.
This is different from the tradition of menkyo that had been used in Japanese martial arts since the 9th century. Each headmaster of a school would award a menkyo (license) to teach the art. With a menkyo kaiden (full transmission license) passed down to the heir of the system.
First degree black belt?
But it’s that initial black belt that we’re discussing today. It is called a shodan (初段). This does NOT translate as “first degree.” It better translates as “beginning rank.” This might be the origin of the idea that the black belt is the beginning of learning. That kind of flies in the face of what we experience though. Shodan ranks normally take several years of hard study and physical practice. How can that be the beginning? Haven’t I learned a lot already?
Meaning of Shodan
If we think of the black belt as an equivalent to graduating high school, it starts to make more sense. High school isn’t really about training you for your future career. It’s about giving you the most basic training to be able to apply yourself in whatever field you choose. You could go on to a university and further polish the academic subjects you were taught in high school. An earned rank of shodan is kind of like that. A shodan shows that you can demonstrate basic proficiency in all the techniques of the system. Now it is time for you to apply all those techniques as tactics.
Learning to do that is the real purpose of a shodan. I like to tell people that a shodan means you have the ability to be a martial arts autodidact. A martial arts self-learner. You no longer need an instructor (though they are still very helpful) in your art.
Here’s your belt… and you’ll start teaching tomorrow at 5:00.
One problem I have with many systems is that in their view, a black belt means that since they know the basics, they can now teach the basics. This is obviously not true. Knowing a thing, and teaching it are completely different skill sets. Any school that doesn’t have some sort of apprentice program for their future teachers is setting them up for failure.
Do you have a favorite martial arts word that doesn’t directly translate into English? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll cover it next week. Better yet, submit your own Martial Word Wednesday and get published.
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