Faded Black Belts

Why do some black belts leave their belts for so long to fade to white, i've had this discussion with one of my friends and i think it's a sign of experience since they've had it so long but it might also look a bit 'taccy'. I know at the end of the day its the experience that counts and its only a peice of material but still just wanted to get other peoples opinions on it..?

Thanks,
Steve.

It could be the sensei cannot afford to buy the new one.

That was funny, but partly true. Martial art uniforms were patterend off Asian clothing worn everyday. They were to be simple to make and wear. The belt was like any other, to hold up the pants and keep the top in order. Because the belt was folded and layered far more dense than the uniform, upon replacement of a worn uniform, it made sense not to dispose of the belt.

Nowadays it is too symbolic

I dont know about anybody else, but when i got my black belt it was the greatest achevement i had ever got.

i dont think i will ever changed my belt as that was the best handed to by my sensei no other belt will ever mean that much to me.

Sentimental value

Having set goals and accomplishments are ok, but this thread is about faded belts

Having set goals and accomplishments are ok, but this thread is about faded belts

I think it was on topic...it was his way of saying his belt will be faded at some point and why it will be..
My belt is not faded...the last time I ranked up we had a change in the belt system...The stitching on the belts is now a certain color for certain ranks so it will be a while before it is worn. Then it will change again I think next rank..LOL...So no faded belt for me ...

Having set goals and accomplishments are ok, but this thread is about faded belts

I think it was on topic...it was his way of saying his belt will be faded at some point and why it will be..
My belt is not faded...the last time I ranked up we had a change in the belt system...The stitching on the belts is now a certain color for certain ranks so it will be a while before it is worn. Then it will change again I think next rank..LOL...So no faded belt for me ...

Spot on, i was saying that i am a dan grade and the reason i will not every wear another black belt as this one is my original

speaking about the belt (obi) do you likes the ornament on it? An embroidery kanji ornament kanji.

In some black belt ornament sometimes we could find a white line along side the belt looks like a white stripes. What's that meaning for?

I have seen that before, not anyone i know but at events.

i always assumed it was due to wear and tear and the stiching underneath was white but i dont knoe

good question though


also on your other point i baught my girlfirned and embroyderd belt with her name in kanji, however she does not wear it i dont know why

Hi karate Steve,

The Japanese have a belief that as you train your Kei, (not sure of the spelling) or life force, goes into your belt. therefore you should never wash your belt or allow it to be worn by another. There is also the notion that life is circular in Buddhism and this is reflected in your belt. you start as a white belt and eventually end with a black belt which gradually becomes a white belt again completing the circle.

My first belt was an expensive proper silk belt which over the years became almost totally white until I lost it! When I lost it it was as if part of me had died! I am not a high Dan grade being only a 3rd Dan but having such a worn belt gave me a considerable status as it showed the amount of hours I had put into training. Many people have commented on the fact they thought I was a fifth or sixth Dan before. It is considered very impolite to ask your grade so they assumed!

Now I have a new belt which I bought in December and it is very nice as it was identical to the last one but it still doesn't tie just right and its still too stiff even though it is beginning to wear. I wear my belt on average for twenty seven hours per week that means every year I wear my belt it gets 6.75 years worth of normal usage if you train for 4 hours per week. My belt was expensive, made by hand, out of real silk, because it feels better and I have to wear it so much. Cheep thin belts made from rayon don't wear but to me feel horrible. I hate seeing the revers of cheep belts where the name or organisation is showing only in reverse usually filled in in felt tip pen ink.

regarding ornament on the belt I have my name in block letter on one side as I am English, my name is an English name and also a friend had his belt stolen because nobody knows what the kanji means so the other person could get away with it. on the other side I have my association's logo and name in kanji. Within my association it is regarded as really bad form to have Dan grade bars. Up to 4th Dan nobody cares what grade you are and over 4th dan everybody should know who you are!!

I always feel the more embroidery on a belt the worse the wearer will be at karate. your name should be on in case you loose it and your style or association again in case you loose it period! A chap near me who has recently promoted himself from 1st dan to 2nd to 3rd to 4th within two years has his web site address along the back, his name in block and kanji, the old England karate logo on both ends as well as his style logo, four bars on each end and his style in both kanji and English. Guess what! His karate stinks!!!

By the way the white stripe along the edge is where the silk wears as the hands rub along when you put the belt on!

Regds

Sensei C

haha thanks very much for your input sensei C and everyone else, what ive taken from that is that a faded belt shows experience and time put into karate. that 4th dan guy who promoted himself sounds like one of many unfortunately... but definately not a real karateka.
i dont think i would ever get bars representing dan grade alongside my belt, i dont think it looks professional or cool.. its just a sign of showing off or a bad organisation if you ask me, however everyone is entitled to own whatever belt they wish.
thanks for the info on the japanese concept of the obi too martialman - that was interesting!

There are places that sell pre-faded belts

That was the best explanation I've heard so far!!

Actually this is incorrect.

A few links from many:

http://www.e-budokai.com/articles/belts.htm

http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthrea...?t=35338&page=5

http://www.24fightingchickens.com/2005/09/...f-karate-belts/

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f12/do-you-w...133/index4.html



The Japanese are generally concern with cleansing (which is why there are public bath houses)

The belt was to serve the purpose of any other...to hold up the pants or keep the upper garments in order.

The basis of the soul- life force non-washing belt myth, spawned out of the Sword. this is by mere ignorance that a belt is the same as a weapon to protect oneself, honor, and family.

That was the best explanation I've heard so far!!

Actually this is incorrect.

A few links from many:

http://www.e-budokai.com/articles/belts.htm

http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthrea...?t=35338&page=5

http://www.24fightingchickens.com/2005/09/...f-karate-belts/

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f12/do-you-w...133/index4.html



The Japanese are generally concern with cleansing (which is why there are public bath houses)

The belt was to serve the purpose of any other...to hold up the pants or keep the upper garments in order.

The basis of the soul- life force non-washing belt myth, spawned out of the Sword. this is by mere ignorance that a belt is the same as a weapon to protect oneself, honor, and family.