Just finished reading an e-mail that was sent to me about my ranking of 4th Dan in the AKPKF, the American Karate Federation, and it is apparent to me that the person who wrote to me about it, doesn't like the way I received it nor am I deserving of such a ranking, that I don't have the knowledge to keep the rank. I say that's crap and this coming from someone who was just promoted 2 ranks above what he was by someone he barely even knows and who hardly knows him, something he stated was wrong with organizations like the AKPKF.
His point was that this type of ranking is bastardizing the Dan Ranking system and how holy the ranking system is, as if I didn't know that. My contention was that what is the difference between organizations doing this or a school that promotes students just because they pay their dues every month who don't even know the material for the rank they are testing for, yet they are passed anyway.
I have inquired about testing and advancement and am awaiting a response to this. Everyone else I have spoken to about this is very happy for me, everyone except this certain person who thinks he has the market cornered on integrity in the arts. That speaks to me of ego.
This is also the same person who admonished me for helping to promote a self-defense system that he is developing, and told me I was over-stepping my boundaries, after he had asked me or invited me to be a part of it and to help promote the new system as one of it's first International Black Belt Instructors. It was almost like I was stealing his thunder and he didn't like it when all I was doing was trying to help get this off the ground as was asked of me. Nothing was ever done without his consent or without considering this person as Soke of this system.
In all of this I say take what is given to you and then do the rank proud by learning and continuing to learn all you can about the arts. Study daily and become a better martial artist so that you can help to keep the integrity of the arts alive by learning the material and training with all your heart. Follow the tenets of the Martial Arts ie: Honor, Integrity, Discipline, Indomitable Spirit, Perseverance, etc. and pass these qualities along to others who follow in your footsteps so that the Martial Arts can keep advancing.
Sorry if this sounds a bit angry...it isn't meant to be. I just am tired of the egos I encounter in the arts on a daily basis. If this person was truly a student of the arts or a teacher of the arts, he would be more receptive to encouraging his student to move forward with this and help him build on the accomplishment...not discourage the act.
Until next time,
Sensei Tim
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