(Approx 2 minute read)

The journey to your black belt has been long and challenging, filled with dedication and hard work. But what happens next?
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The day after your achievement, amidst the fading excitement, you might realize:
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Nothing is different.
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You might have a few more bruises, perhaps a black eye, or a sore rib or two. And your wallet has taken a hit from that hefty grading fee you paid.
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Yet, you remain the same person.
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You still forget some of the details in kata. You still don’t know the bunkai for many of the kata. You still make mistakes in kihon. You still get beaten in kumite. You’re still overweight and have a spot on your nose!
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No, you’re not special after all.
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This humbling truth resonates with my own perspective on titles and ranks. Of course, it can be great to be recognized, but I’ve never been comfortable with titles, grades, certificates, and awards. Nothing against them – they’re just not for me. I haven’t turned down grades from people I respect, but I have upset and subsequently fallen out with people I don’t believe in.
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After over 50 years in karate, and having earned high rank, I know who and what I am. I know what I’m both good and bad at. I still have mentors who guide me, but my sense of self doesn’t rely on external validation.
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I like to support and encourage people to become strong individuals and find their own path. This way, we can share knowledge, and hopefully, I can help some on their journey.
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These days, what I do is mostly uniquely mine, but it still draws on what I was taught. I have proved my understanding and ability in the eyes of my teachers, as they did with their teachers. I believe I have a strong lineage, which I think has value and I personally draw satisfaction from that.
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But we need to understand that rank holds as much significance as we give it. On one hand, earning a new grade is an achievement to be proud of. It represents the time, hard work, and practice you’ve invested in your training. It’s also an acknowledgment of your growth and effort from your Sensei.
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On the other hand, it’s just a belt. Belt rank can indicate a student or instructor’s skill, but it doesn’t guarantee it. It should, but it doesn’t.
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Many who’ve practiced karate for decades still remember their black belt test and the journey to reach it as a pivotal moment in their training. I know I do.
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The true value of any grade lies not in the rank itself, but in the journey it represents – the perseverance, the discipline, and the continuous pursuit of just getting better. A reminder of what has been achieved, and a motivator for what is yet to come.
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Photo Credit: Hironori Ōtsuka receiving Dan grade certificate from Gichin Funakoshi