Belt Ceremony

I promised I would return to the Black Belt Test Ceremony. Before the pics, an explanation. The black belt test is all about the physical...pushing your body and your mind to remember (and do) all that you have ever learned in class and private lessons. It is grueling and intense, there are tears and sweat, and there are the senseis pushing and yelling and driving you to do better, to hit harder, to dig deeper, and to push to your very limit of endurance.

The Belt Ceremony is just the opposite. Visitors are in their best dress, it is ultimately respectful, and quiet. It is a very traditional ceremony, with the senseis kneeling at a low table. The lights are dimmed. The other black belts come into the room in total quiet, out of respect for the accomplishment of the new candidates, and stand in a silent welcoming row. The candidates kneel before the senseis.

The senseis talk about the test. For those in the audience who didn't witness the test, they recap the events of the (very long) day. Next is one of my favorite parts.

On test day, each candidate had a Warm Body. The Warm Body was assigned to be their shadow the entire day. But before the test even started, each Warm Body was given a white belt with the words "I Quit" written on it. Each candidate was told that if they wanted to be finished at any point during the test day, all they would have to do was grab the "I Quit" belt from their Warm Body, and they could go home. That belt hung from the side of each Warm Body the entire day, in arm's reach, for anyone who could not continue. It is a not-so-silent motivator, though, and I know I would rather have DIED than grab that belt on that day. (Funny side note: Stu and Connor were in the grappling part of the test, and the "I Quit" belt kept falling from Connor's belt. Jeff asked Stu if he was trying to say something about the test. Stu said "Heck no! It keeps falling off while we grapple! I'll STAPLE it to him before I'll pull it!" We all laughed...)

At this point in the belt ceremony, the candidates get to take their "I Quit" belt out to the fire, and one by one, throw them into the fire, symbolizing their completion of a very difficult task. Not only the task of surviving the test day, but their completion of the journey from white belt to black. It was neat to see the white belts in the fire, being consumed by it.

Each candidate was then allowed a few minutes to express their thoughts, and each of my children had their own things to express. Breanna said she was thankful for Sensei Jeff and his confidence in her, which I thought encapsulated her experience with karate. She started as a frightened, nightmare-ridden young girl who lacked self-confidence, and because of Jeff's confidence in her, has become a literal fireball of can-do. She is a world champion fighter, both in and out of the ring, because of her experiences in the dojo. Stu, my gentle giant of a man, expressed in his quiet way his gratitude for the teachers in his life, among whom he counted not just his sensei, but also his mom. (Awwww.... made me cry). Kelle (who looked beautiful with her hair curled in long pretty ringlets by her sisters) expressed her gratitude for Jeff and her siblings who had worked along side her, and also for Breanna. These two girls have never skipped a belt, and have never tested without the other. I see pictures of them from when we started, and realize how much Kelle has grown up. She is straightforward and steady, committed and true. Kelle is...solid, in every good way.

Then comes the actual presentation of the belts. This is the very traditional part of the ceremony, where each candidate comes forward and kneels before the senseis at the table. Each sensei takes the new belt and touches it to their head, then passes it to the student. The student touches it to their head and then hands it back. This symbolizes the transfer of knowledge from teacher to student...the ways and whys of the art. Then the sensei touches the new belt to their heart and the student does the same, symbolizing the passing of their love for the student and for the art to the student. Each sensei has this moment with the student.

The students then take their new belts, and as a class, turns away from the senseis (as a sign of respect) and ties on their new belts. Hooray!

As the first 2nd degree student, our friend Michelle got to present each of them with their Pinnacle ring. It has "Pinnacle" engraved on the outside, and their name on the inside. They wear them with pride! (Except Stu, who believes that any jewelry on his hands interfers with his delicate snowmobile/motorcycle driving capability... He keeps his tucked away carefully in Mom's cedar chest).

Each sensei bows a long, silent bow to the new blackbelts, and the new blackbelts bow in return. It is one of the ultimate shows of respect and welcome, because those doing the welcoming know first-hand what very few others know: what it takes to earn that black belt!

After the ceremony is over, it's picture time! Lots and lots of pictures in their new black "sensei" gias, in front of the logo, in groups and singles, with the senseis and with the families, and then a formal set in the back for the dojo. Lots of hugs, smiles, congratulations, flowers, and cards, and then cake, cookies, and punch. What a great day! Proud and happy Mom!Mom, Breanna, Kelle, Michelle, Melissa in back, and Alex and Samantha in front, showing off our Black Belt Bling!