The Belt System

The belt system is the most basic system to pass through with some of the traditional martial arts systems in China. Once a student is seen passing through the belt system with ease, they are brought into the Sash system. The sash system is only for the few who take their martial arts seriously. Basically that is why they have the two systems, it is no use to teach something to someone that is not going to turn it into impressive technique.

Some of the systems in China don't have a belt system, some do, it all depends on what part of China we are talking about, you have to remember that China is huge, with hundreds of ethnic groups, all doing things their own way. It is the same with language in China, there are literally hundreds of dialects, each speaking completely different. What is astounding is that they can all understand each other in the written word. Even though they speak with a different dialect, they all understand the same Chinese characters when reading. Which is truly amazing.

Another thing to remember is that everything came from China. I remember hearing someone say that the belt system was created in Japan. I have to laugh on one hand, on the other it's not their fault they are not educated to the fact that China had belts for thousands of years, just as they do the Sash. The Sash system is most recognized in China however, and the belt system is most recognized for Japan. I do have to say, in the twenties there was a man who studied Judo in Japan, at that time he wore a black sash. He did put together a colored belt system. Which is actually the belt system used around the world. Back in the twenties is when Karate came to Japan from Okinawa, after a few years is when the Judo master put together the colored belt system, and with in twenty more years is when Japan started to have tournaments with each other, Karate snow balled onto the world stage.