True Rank vs. Online Rank

[KengokanDojo]

Belated, but congratulations.

I appreciate your perspective. My own view is that rank only means something because of the person/people awarding to you are people you value and respect highly. It is their recognition of your progress, within the art you are working in, that makes a rank what it is.

[WayOfTheNunchaku]

While I do or do not disagree with you, I think that it is important to remember that many martial tactics from the past were only learned thru text and crude drawings. Alot of japanese techniques where lost only to be rediscoverd thru martial writtings. The chinese and the greeks are famous for there books and scrolls on gung fu and pankration arts, and some text even had tasks that you must be able to complete to be a certain rank. Just looking at it from a different angle, no disrespect.

[erniesbudolab]

@WayOfTheNunchaku These texts you speak of were originally given to students AFTER receiving formal instruction. They were never meant to be first source material. Like all field manuals, books serve to remind what was learned from a teacher; not replace a teacher.

[WayOfTheNunchaku]

Not always the case. Look at Pyeongon weapon of Korea. It was taught to the Joeson army completly thru the book known as Muyesinbo. While the book taught many weapons, it was most prized for its instruction on pyeongon, as the style was created by Prince Sado, who was royalty, so he did not teach in person often, so instead he used text. Also, many techniques within Ninjitsu were lost after deaths only to be relearned thru books instruction, and effectivly if I say so myself.

[erniesbudolab]

@WayOfTheNunchaku Sorry, I had to back up and re-read this part. This claim is based on myth and conjecture. YouTubers such as scottbaioisdead, BuffonMusa, ChosonAssassin2, and others have clarified this subject time and time again.

[WayOfTheNunchaku]

Now I am not saying that someone should be able to log on and be a black belt within months, but if we limit learning to just one avenue, then we will all end up in the same place and diversity will die. After all it was Miyamoto Musashi who said you can become a master of strategy training alone. to say one cant learn thru any other means than being present with a teacher discredits all those who have tought thru other ways. And lots of great martial artists have taught thru other ways.

[erniesbudolab]

@WayOfTheNunchaku I'm not disagreeing with you on the value of textbooks in martial arts training and on the promotion of the philosophical pursuits. But, Musashi came to these conclusions long after his training, not before. Same for Bruce Lee, his theories and books came after training, not before. When you boil down martial arts to its simplest, it's block-kick-punch OR feint-parry-cut OR redirect-takedown-immobilize. Hard physical work comes first. Philosophy comes with experience.

[WayOfTheNunchaku]

I will exit with all avenues of learning should be respected.

[erniesbudolab]

@WayOfTheNunchaku Yes.  We are finished.

[Classic67]

Congrats Ern. 29 years. It's the one thing you've been truly consistent with. That says something. You should follow this through even more with the next chapter of your life. Congrats once again.

[erniesbudolab]

Most definitely!

[ElectricEnergyKing]

My friend, you are so right. I trained my *** off in the dojo, and people think they have black belt from internet from Greg Park.

[psychoblue23]

Congrats Ernie, I agree with you.

[rippl3r]

I've never heard about earning rank over the internet. the idea itself is completely idiotic to begin with. how can you learn without being face to face with someone who is teaching you ?

on another note, nice to see someone using proper eticate and showing respect for their teacher :) and gongrates to you also ernie

[trebornoican]

hey congrats ernie. cool!

[pk511]

holy shit ernie!  finger board break FTW!

[anneimaizumi]

ernie, omedetou!

risa said, yoku ganbarimashita p(^_^)q

kore kara mou ganbatte kudasai ne!!!

akeramenaiyouni oen suru yo ^_^

おめでとう　ございます！！

[zeong77]

Godan.....

Thats alot of dedication right there.

Congratulations Ernie.

[scottbaioisdead]

man i was gonna give you a 10th dan in my secret online korean ninjutsu, i guess i'll throw it out now, and the damn certificate cost me a whole 2.50 from martialartssupermarket plus 5 bucks for a black belt. i didn't know where to find cool ass elastic waist hakama like greg uses, i heard real ninja don't tie knots

[Snowman536]

BRAVO ERNIE NICE JOB CONGRATS !!!!