My kid is now a first degree brown belt ("ikkyu"), the last of the ten colored ranks, meaning his next rank will be first degree black belt. We have a BB candidate class at my dojo which students are invited into in the months leading up to the full black belt test - the candidates have to do what are called ins and outs - exercises that are to be done when arriving at the dojo, and when leaving, and there is also a candidate class on Saturdays especially for them (all existing black belts are welcome to attend this class, but nobody else except the candidates themselves, of course).

Sometime next year, my kid will be invited to officially become a black belt candidate.

Estoy muy orgulloso de el! Very proud of him, and the reason I said that in Spanish is because I learned that sentence specifically so I could say it to my landscaper this morning. #karate #blackbelt #ikkyu

Kid is up for #ikkyu tomorrow (this is the last level of colored belt in #karate before black). As an instructor I will be part of the testing team. Wife asked me if this was not a conflict of interest? I said it’s literally the opposite, the other instructors know I will be even harsher than them. He will have to work, sweat and possibly bleed for this. We’re supposed to bring everything, that means sticks and knives along with sparring gear.

It’s gonna be like the entire first season of Outlander all rolled up into a few hours. (cracks knuckles)

My kiddo has been invited to a #karate belt grading next weekend. He is going for his #ikkyu rank - this is the last level of brown belt before black belt. He’s sixteen, almost 6’1” tall and commands a degree of respect - dare I say mild fear - from his fellow students due to size and speed. Should be plenty fun.

Yes, it is just a meme & ment as a pun/joke 😉
When we look into his life story in more detail: Zen master Ikkyü showhed us that as a Buddhist it is good to walk/practice/act according the middle way, and sometimes it might appear as extreme, but its wierd looking actions can connect us to our inner rebel... 😇🙏🪢

#buddhism #middleway #rebel #dharma #ikkyu

Y a-t-il un #paradis et un #enfer ?

Il peut y avoir les deux en nous, selon #Ikkyu, moine #zen du XVème siècle.

( https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikkyu_(manga) )

#manga

Y a-t-il un #paradis et un #enfer ?

Il peut y avoir les deux en nous, selon #Ikkyu, moine #zen du XVème siècle.

( https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikkyu_(manga) )

#manga