Martial Arts Of The World - Webs

Rank
The word rank in this context refers to a system of hierarchies in martial
arts based on various criteria such as physical fitness, mastery of curriculum,
success in competition, length of time of study, and contributions to
the system.
Traditions differ as to the reasons for awarding rank and the ways in
which rank is bestowed. Although in contemporary martial arts rank is
commonly associated with the belt systems of the Asian arts, the practice
of ranking practitioners of martial arts is not uniquely Asian. In 1540,
Henry VIII of England granted letters of patent that formally enfranchised
the English Masters of Defence (who previously had plied their trade without
benefit of licensing) and at least tacitly gave the royal stamp of approval
to a four-tiered hierarchy based on the model of the medieval university:
scholar, free scholar, provost, and master. The Masters of Defence
then fixed requirements for testing for rank, length of time required for apprenticeship
at each rank, and other criteria deemed necessary for formally
establishing the hierarchy.
Until the twentieth century, many Asian martial arts recognized only
two tiers of rank: master and student. Occasionally, the designation of senior
student could be extended as well. This system continues in some arts.
The traditional systems of China (e.g., taijiquan [tai chi ch’uan],
baguazhang [pa kua ch’uan]) have not formalized ranking further than
this. The many conservative bugei (Japanese; warrior arts)—those arts designated
by the suffix jutsu (skills), such as kenjutsu—of Japan have maintained
the traditional means of ranking members (generally unique to the
individual system) of each ryûha (style) into the contemporary period.
Kanô Jigorô, in establishing jûdô in the late nineteenth century, developed
for students of his art a ranking system by means of the awarding
of colored belts worn with practice uniforms. This tradition had a profound
impact on the martial arts world, first via adoption of the system by
the budô (martial ways) of Japan and then internationally, as both indige-
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