Always the iceberg principle

The image of the "iceberg" is well known to all: it's used to demonstrate that, often, the visible part of a thing represents only a part of the whole, and moreover, that this part is by far the least important. How does this apply to Karate?

When we see practitioners training, we can't help but notice their rank, which is immediately and obviously displayed by the color of their belt. To this, we immediately react in a subjective way, either by prejudging the practice in relation to the grade displayed, or by setting ourselves up as judges to check whether there is indeed concordance between the two, always after this superficial vision.

Belt color? Often an illusion ...

The belt is still something of a myth, as if wearing it conferred on its owner some sign of power, ascendancy or status in the eyes of others. How many of us are even intimately convinced that reaching the next grade suddenly changes the quality of our practice, and that tying a freshly acquired belt makes us make dazzling progress in an instant.

Which of us - let's face it - hasn't felt "superior" to the person next to us, just because the color of his belt indicated a higher rank? When it didn't turn outright to be a form of commiseration or paternalism... And this is paradoxically noticeable at least as much, if not more, in "beginner" grades (Kyus) than in grades(Dans).

All this goes to show the extent to which our mentality - and that of the world we live in - is imbued with materialism, power struggles, a thirst for domination and commercialism. We're not really to blame; everything around us and at every age tends to foster this state of mind, but we're a long way from the traditional martial vision that our Masters wanted to bequeath to us.

In "traditional" Shotokan, the notion of an external sign at belt level is much less tangible than in other "conventional" forms. There are only three types of belt: white, brown and black, with no particular distinguishing sign other than the Shotokan Karatedo ideograms and - for black belts - the name of the dan holder ("Dan"). - the name of the Dan wearer ("Yudansha"). It is said that these colors were the simple effect of the novice's white belt aging through the action of sweat, dust and dirt, until it became practically black.

Examination and value of the practitioner

The belt - linked to the grade - is most often the result of a punctual examination, which is taken when you think you have the "level". This reference level is in fact a technical scale, comprising Kihon, free and imposed Kata, possible applications (Bunkaï), finally conventional Kumite forms.

It is certainly important to present content that is judged "compliant" by a designated jury. This helps to structure preparatory training, know how to present oneself correctly, manage stress, etc. But more often than not, juries know little or nothing about the performer until the moment of presentation. Their mark will therefore inevitably be linked to the conformity of the performance on the day in question, but cannot fully reflect the more intimate and profound aspects of the candidate's personality, such as his moral and mental qualities, his life experience, any handicaps he may have had to overcome, etc. Not to mention his martial knowledge. Not to mention his or her martial knowledge and vision of Karate Do.

Paradoxically, the granting of "Kyus" within the Club by the Teacher himself will be closer to the real value of the practitioner, because of the knowledge he will have acquired of his pupil day after day, inside and sometimes outside the Dojo. Whereas the "Dans" are awarded in a jury situation, where the candidates are sometimes quite well known, but more sporadically and superficially. This is, of course, insofar as the teacher does not engage in "clientelism", and remains rigorous in awarding grades.

Some experts say that they judge more on what the practitioner "gives off" than on what he shows. And indeed, the martial value of an individual, his true potential in the face of an ultimate or desperate situation, in a confrontation with a priori superior adversity, are very complex perceptions, which only an expert, with sufficient knowledge of the person, will be able to feel correctly, i.e. as close to the truth as possible. Isn't it said that half the score of a Kata can be practically awarded on the basis of the candidate's mental and physical attitude alone, from the moment he enters the fray until the "Hajimé"?

What to trust, then?

Let's not go to extremes and say that the belt represents nothing. But let's not make it an absolute hierarchical system either, where a 3rd Kyu is systematically "better" than a 4th Kyu, a Sandan necessarily and unconditionally superior to a Shodan. How many times have we seen an ATP world No. 1 get "knocked down" in the preliminary rounds by a player from the depths of the rankings? There's no direct causality in this field, the "Here and Now" principle applies all the time, and means that every situation is a new challenge where everything can change.

The criterion of authentic value is suddenly no longer the height of jumps or acrobatic kicks in sports assaults, nor the thickness of calluses on "Kento", but the real internal potential that the practitioner will have stored up over time, not only through his technical work, but also through the depth of his personal research, through the refinement of his perceptions, through the "letting go" that he will have made his hygiene of life. Only this potential is representative of the true "martial" value of the being, and, indirectly, of the true level in an eventual confrontation.

Morality: let's raise our level - the rest will follow

The race for rank is reminiscent of a frantic search for external signs of wealth, in the belief that these will command respect. We can indeed maintain a form of illusion in relation to others. But what happens when we dare to look ourselves in the face? To sustain our own gaze, we need to forget all complacency and narcissism. and narcissism, and face up to our own reality. If, through sincere effort and the will to constantly surpass ourselves in training, we put aside the "visible" reward, we can truly rise, step by step, on the ladder of martial valor. And have no fear, we'll always have the opportunity to slip into a belt that will then never be "too big" for us.