I’ve been a shidoshi for well over 20 years, (1993 passed godan test) I’d like to say a couple things about people’s rank that i have observed & written about… Rank in this style is not comparatively based. It’s easy to look at someone else and say, “what rank is so & so, how long, etc?” Rank isn’t something that is just worn. More important than what is on your gi, is what is in your heart? I know of high-ranking people in this art that have obvious physical limitations. Soke certainly cannot compare them to others. He views them as individuals looking at what abilities and characteristics they began with compared to what level they are at now.
When I promote a student, it is based on many things, for example like their heart, dedication, and ability. I weigh it all out. Promotions are holistic. It’s not just whether or not you can simply repeat the taught techniques. Therefore as the sensei, I look at the total person, all the time, not just within the confines of the dojo walls. I’ll know of an individual’s heart and dedication, accomplishments, and perseverance that transcends just what happens at training time. Yes, attendance at training is still very important, but I understand that this still isn’t the full dimension of a student’s development. Never-the-less, if I stop seeing someone on a regular basis in the dojo, this will slow their ranking. If they are unseen for months, their next progress will be months later. I advise that all students stay connected, not missing what is being taught or explored.
Remove some weight from yourself, don’t evaluate yourself against your peers, just train and have fun along the way! Remember it is more fruitful to judge yourself than others.
Shidoshi Spangler, 1/25/2005