A Real Shame
Four Becomes Eight. (And Now Ten.)

It seems that the quest for rank and recognition knows no bounds today. The egos are running rampant in some circles and it is getting out of control.

I recently discovered that one of my former students had "become" an 8th Dan.

Amazing. Since this person, when he left the System four years ago, only had certification for 4th Dan rank. I will not mention any names, as I do not wish to shame the parties involved any more than they already have done to themselves.

This individual "created" his own "system" and, because of whatever reason, felt the need to seek affiliation with another former member of this System (who also made himself a higher rank after Grand Master Sr.'s demise) and an outsider from yet ANOTHER System.

UPDATE: This individual is now calling himself a 10th Dan. EQUAL to the man who taught him.
My father is rolling over in his grave.

Confusing? Perhaps. What is confusing is how one person from one "system" can give another person rank; i.e. sign a certificate, etc. for 8th Dan or 10th Dan , or ANY Dan.

Even more confusing is WHY? To get back at THIS System somehow? That would be a waste of energy. To build an association of Ronin? Mutual admiration societies? Who knows?

The point is there are certain people in this world that forget where they came from, until it is time to mention their former Sensei in their resume and advertising to validate their credibility. And this is not an isolated incident. I've spoken with many Grand Masters (REAL ones, by the way) who have related similar horror stories to me.

My Father used to say; "Who respects the man who knows nothing? The OTHER man who knows nothing!"

How do you stop it? Lawsuits? Closing Dojos like in the old days? That decision should be left to the individual.

The REALITY is that as long as there are Martial Arts egos: ("I've been doing this for x amount of years, and I DESERVE to be this rank. Would YOU sign this certificate for me? I'll be your best friend.") There are going to be these kinds of situations in every art and that is a shame. A REAL shame.

Osu!

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