Why the rift between Japanese and Korean martial arts regarding who is

P

Patty

New member
qualified to teach? I've heard so many opinions on Y!A about how Japanese martial arts require much more training and higher rank than Korean martial arts for a person to qualify as an instructor. The jist of it seems to be that in arts such as Karate and Judo an instructor has to be a high-ranking blackbelt — holding at least a 3rd or 4th (or higher!) Dan.

In contrast Korean arts such as Taekwondo only require a 1st Dan black belt (and I've heard of upper-color-belts taking over instruction at certain schools). (And I completely understand that these 1st Dans are NOT masters, just instructors and usually/hopefully working under the supervision or permission of a master.)

My understanding is that in the Japanese arts one's knowledge isn't deep or profound enough without the amount of knowledge and wisdom that comes from several years of study.

But the Korean arts seem to be of the opinion that teaching is the next step to learning, so lower ranks are expected to teach.

Mostly I'm curious as to
1. are these assumptions correct?
2. why there is such a rift (when Korea borrowed so many traditions from the Japanese.)
3. how does this topic relate to the martial arts of other nations?

And let me know if I'm completely wrong!

Thanks!
 
It depends on the organization and rules of each one.

I began some teaching as a green belt around the age of 14-15, not much mind you, but some. The first time I was allowed to teach a full class was under supervision just before my shodan testing, and i've led class twice after shodan, and again since i recieved my nidan.

Are you referring to the Japanese titles and terms perhaps? Most schools (that i know of) refer to black belts as sensei, and colored belts who help teach as sempai. (unless there is a big formal convention going on, in which case, the sempai is the highest ranking student below who ever is leading class/ sponsoring the convention)

sempai meaning something along the lines of elder brother, and some may refer to students as kohai meaning something along the lines of younger brother.

but the gist is senior student and junior student.

But any way, i was offered the chance to take over my dojo after i turn 21 in which case i will be a nidan, approx. a year away from testing for sandan.

PS
it might also have something to do with reducing the modern proliferation of schools, and competition between them. I would personally never have opened my own dojo in my current city because i wouldn't want to compete w/ the dojo i train at now. i believe a 50 mile courtesy is a decent buffer between related schools.

and well, because some people just shouldn't teach so that may also help keep bad teachers away.
 
Patty,

Different organizations have different requirements. It may vary from school to school as well. Wihin many organization you have to earn the rank of sensei. having a black belt doesn't mean you are a sensei and definitely not a master. However, many people believe that once they get a black belt they can open their own school and make money. That is the main reason for so many mcdojo and mcdojangs today. The instructors aren't qualified to teach. They have set lower standards for awarding rank in order to make a dollar.

Keep an open mind. A person has a 1st Dan or Shodan rank in any martial art. How can this person promote anyone to the rank of Shodan? It is impossible. You can't promote someone to the same rank that you have. You should only be able to promote someone that is at least 2 ranks below you. Meaning that you have to be at least a Sandan in order to promote someone to Shodan.

However, it is my strong belief that you should have the ability to teach if you have reached any yudansha rank. I believe as I have been taught. That learning to teach is part of all martial arts.
 
I dont think its just between the Japanese and Korean MAs. It goes for all MAs. Its common knowlege that there are WAY TOO MANY unqualified instructors out there corrupting MAs by teaching flawed techniques because they didnt learn it properly.
 
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