Karate means Empty Hand. It was developed/ influenced by Chinese Kung Fu style name Fujian White Crane Kung Fu. It is mostly known by martial artist that Kung Fu was influenced by Indian martial arts. This may be influenced by either South Indian martial arts (Kalaripayattu or Silabam etc.) or North Indian martial arts (Sanatan Shastar Vidiya).
ate belt
Belt system of Martial arts:
In 1880's Jigoro Kano who used to taught Judo founded belt system for Europeans as to motivate their students for competition between them and to keep track of their ability. Please note before this there was no place for belt system in martial arts world. Many system (not few) still do not favour belt system.
After Judo, Karate Master Funakoshi Gichin also adopted Belt system, might be for the same reason.
Please think why before 1880's martial artist never used belt ranking system and still not adopted by many teachers in other martial arts as well as Karate too..!!!
But yes one thing was for sure. Belts were not so easy to earn. Students need to do very serious hard work for getting their belts. Martial artist used to have a spiritual link with their belts.
But today this whole thing is corrupted in India. Yes Karate is corrupted in India. This might be true for other countries too specially western countries but let me focus on my country only. Politics have entered in Karate in India. Today Indian Karate is so corrupted that it's dirt is touching other martial arts teacher too. Belt system in Karate has been a money making machine. Students are being charged a lot for each belt system. And my point is not this charge only. Actually belts are being given without any hard work and with people having money. I have seen people who get their belts and even federation certificate by giving money. Recently few months back I saw someone getting his blackbelt and certificate with Rs. 7000. Such is a value of belt system right now. What is the use of such kind of belt when you cannot defend yourself anywhere. People need to seriously think why they are fooling themselves. Why they want belts..!!! Why they want someone to tell them about their ability through belts..!!!
Ability is not something which others have to tell you about. But it is something which you need to feel. For example: Many times students ask their teacher (specially in Karate and Taekwondo world) whether they can defend themselves or not. And teachers says "Yes. You can defend yourself from many people as you have a higher belt". Now this is a foolish question with super foolish answer. Student has to feel and must have a clarity about this ability. Student cannot depend on their teacher's answer to know about their ability. Instead must be very clear whether they can defend themselves or not. It is a feeling and not just knowing about something.
Moral of the story: Do not just look for belts and certifications in any field. Instead look for a learning so that you can feel what a real martial artist can.
If you are looking for some real martial arts skills, contact me.
Ranjit Mishra
Martial Warriors Academy
