When is it acceptable to get writing on your belt?

[Kchef]

When is it genuinely acceptable to get writing on you belt?

The subject came up at my Dojo recently and a number of us had differing views on when it might be normal to have a person’s name written in Japanese on their belt.

Most thought it was genuinely frowned on to have writing on your belt until you reached Sondon (3rd degree). One said you could get it when you attain your Brown belt. Another said that it was okay once you received your Shodon (1st degree).

What is the correct answer? Tradition is important to me.

K. Allen

[Prince Loeffler]

Its a matter of preference, not tradition. If you want ot get technical in terms of tradition, don't put any embroidery.

Hope that helps !

[wreddock]

Tradition is important to me.
In the the dojo's I trained at in Japan writing your name on your gi and belt is simply a necessity not a tradition. Everyone writes their name on their gi and belt.

Very often dogi and belts are left hanging at the dojo. When you walk in and there are 300 to 400 dogi's hanging there it's good to be able to find your dogi by it's name (and sometimes in Japan's summer by it's smell)

[Jared Sutton]

I think it's fine to get an embroidered belt at any level, if you want a trophy. Heck any belt's worth being proud of when you're standing next to Nancy Dintlasttwodays. But if you want to actually get out there and train with a belt on that you can climb the mountain with, leave the showy golden lettering on your shelf. This goes back to my thoughts on rank. In today's black belt factory, free belt with purchase of video, send in a tape for promotion - world, rank only matters in the dojo or organization that issued it. Everyone in your dojo/organization should know what level you're at in terms of technique and ability, so what does belt decoration matter? Just like in almost anything in the martial arts today, function over flash.

J. Sutton

[Kchef]

This is something I would put under function. I was speaking more about what I perceived to be the OP's questioning on when this "allowance" would be made, as if it were an issue of an honor for a certain rank beginning with X-kyu or Y-dan.

J. Sutton

I'm not really looking at it from a sense of honor but more on an appearance level. I think it looks nice but I also wanted to make sure that if I were to have it done, is there a ceratin rank I needed to attain first.

K. Allen

[Prince Loeffler]

I'm not really looking at it from a sense of honor but more on an appearance level. I think it looks nice but I also wanted to make sure that if I were to have it done, is there a ceratin rank I needed to attain first.

K. Allen


Every Dojo has its "tradition" . I have seen yellow belts or Mudansha sporting embroidered stuff on thier colored belt. Your dojo may have their ways, its best that you ask your sensei. The answer lies with him and him alone.

Hope this helps.

[Kchef]

Every Dojo has its "tradition" . I have seen yellow belts or Mudansha sporting embroidered stuff on thier colored belt. Your dojo may have their ways, its best that you ask your sensei. The answer lies with him and him alone.

Hope this helps.

That is the exact answer I'm looking for. Thank you!

Kevin

[Prince Loeffler]

That is the exact answer I'm looking for. Thank you!

Kevin


You're welcome Kevin, Glad to be of assistance.

[monkeyboy_ssj]

Hmmm, I think it's ok to have it in all in Kanji, but I'm not a fan of having it in English as it just looks strange.

I've got mine given to us with kanji already on it for name and art so nothing I could really do much about that.

[StanLee]

Mine has my name in English and in kanji, it says "Gift from Shiseikan dojo"

The other belt that was a gift from my uncle has my chinese name written in characters.

[monkeyboy_ssj]

Mine says School of Mook Hwarang down one side and Matthew Boxall both in Hangeul language. God knows if I know which ones which though :D

[Steve Malton]

I've only seen one kyu-grade with an embroidered belt, a very sweet girl from South Bay. I think most people tend to leave it until shodan because you'll (hopefully) be wearing the black belt for many years, but the coloured belt will only be with you for a short time, so the effort-reward ratio is a bit skewed.

[william northcote]

For me personally, it is good for seminars to have a name on your belt. At least you know who you are talking to and address them accordingly. Sort off falls flat if everyone is called Sensei though, so a first name is good.

[yoj]

I want "Your Name Here" in kanji ;-)

[william northcote]

I want "Your Name Here" in kanji ;-)

OR for me.... A headband saying "This space for rent" in Kanji.

[Rob Gassin]

I have one belt with my name in English and the other with my name in Japanese. The Japanese name looks cooler but the English name has 2 advantages. 1. Robert cannot be written perfectly in kanji and 2. The vast majority of mankind cannot read kanji.

[StanLee]

Just make sure that if you ask a friend to write kanji on the belt for you, he doesn't accidently write "I'm stupid".

[william northcote]

Or Okama Hentai.

[Andrew S]

Just make sure that if you ask a friend to write kanji on the belt for you, he doesn't accidently write "I'm stupid".
Although with some of the nonsense I've seen written on belts, certificates and internet sites, sometimes "I'm stupid" would be really appropriate. :)

[joe yang]

When it's a gift from your instructor.

[StanLee]

When it's a gift from your instructor.

Let's hope that the instructor doesn't add the extra words I'm With Stupid.

[Shitoryu Dude]

I found it acceptable when my sensei gave me one with my name on one end and the name of the school on the other.

[william northcote]

Let's hope that the instructor doesn't add the extra words I'm With Stupid.

Or "Soke, this man is stupid. Wipe the floor with him".

[Ewok]

In the the dojo's I trained at in Japan writing your name on your gi and belt is simply a necessity not a tradition. Everyone writes their name on their gi and belt.

Very often dogi and belts are left hanging at the dojo. When you walk in and there are 300 to 400 dogi's hanging there it's good to be able to find your dogi by it's name (and sometimes in Japan's summer by it's smell)

And from this necessity is the tradition. The whole reason the name is there is so that you know it is yours, and other people can identify you (and your school).

I'm kyu grade and have my name on my belt, which is pretty rare like Steve said on the last page, but my teacher knew I would have it for alot longer than usual and arranged it specially for me (and I really appreciate it).

When we get shodan our teacher pays for our belts as a gift and they are always embroidered with the school (high school branch) name and our name, all in kanji :)

[wreddock]

Long time ago I spent several summers training at the Kodokan Judo gasshuku. It's a couple of weeks of intensive practice. Randori for hours with everyone on the mat. Gets tiring.

One day i was so pooped I could hardly lift my head up so after we changed partners I just grabbed onto the next guy and hung there for a few seconds to get my wind back. I didn't look up but while i was down there I did read his belt. YA-MA-SHI-TA. Then the fun started :)

[Kchef]

I asked my sensei last night the question and spoke a bit about everyone’s differing views on it. He talked about conservative versus liberal views. He saw no reason why dojo’s can’t or shouldn’t make their own policy decisions on when it is okay. Some will be sooner than others. His personally views came from his Sensei and his before him. They felt strongly that one should wait until they achieve the Nidan rank before having the writing added to your obi.

My Sensei Steve Pohle trained with Sensei Teruyuki Okazaki. I believe that Okazaki is now a 10th don.

Sensei Okazaki trained with Gichin Funakoshi.

It is my understanding now that Sensei Funakoshi felt one should wait till they reached their 2nd don before writing is added.

My Sensei’s obi has his name written in Kanji one end of his belt and ISKF written in kanji as well as the name of his Sensei as a sign of respect. Teruyuki Okazaki.

I appreciate everyones views on the subject

K. Allen