So what makes a good black belt? Talent? Time? Effort? The ability to fight off multiple attackers while wearing sunglasses? There should absolutely be a level of technical ability, and especially maturity. The black belt is cheapened when it is given to seven year olds in American dojos.
Where did this board breaking thing even come from? Do we hate trees? Find out more about the history, purpose and risks of board/ice/stone/brick/tile breaking. Featuring many historical references, and some questionable stock footage.
It is the bane of every dojo parent’s existence – the white karate suit. Why dress children in white? Of all the colours, why choose the most unforgiving, most difficult to maintain, most revealing colour of all? Why something that will get dirty 20 minutes before a grading?
I remember a kid asking me once, “when do we learn to break boards?” and I responded with “when trees attack!”
(Shut up, I thought it was funny.)
For the most part, that usually settles the discussion, but tamashiwari (translated as ‘trial by wood’) keeps cropping up in my reading and research.
We get it, parents: you are trying to make sure your child, the centre of your universe, your precious genetic… Read more Real Futureproofing
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