Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Kenpo belt stripes




(from Mr. John La Tourrette's Facebook page 10-31-18)

Something I NEVER KNEW about Kenpo Belt-Stripe-History!
First, "stripes" for Kyu/Kup belts (below black belt) have been around. And in the 50's Ed's students had white, brown and black belts. Then he added stripes to the Kyu belts.
Now to the next step.
...
History and Origins of the "striped black belt".

"Ron Chapél: Once Mr. Parker created the "Kenpo Karate" system stripes were apart of the new system, although Mr. Parker himself did not wear stripes.

However, as his students began to progress through the art it forced him to begin wearing stripes.
His first striped belt had 7 individual stripes.

Later the Late Great Tom Kelly suggested the now famous "brick" of five inches to represent 5th, and the rest is history."

"José Miguel Morales: Originally, Mr. Parker wore a plain black belt, the rank designations using the iconic red stripes was the idea of the late Master Thomas Kelly.

As in the military field, although everyone knows who is in charge, an officer always exhibits his rank and does so according to a strict, written and detailed regulation.

The regulation is simple, stripes of red fabric half an inch (1, 28 cms) wide for each degree from one inch (2.54 cms) from the end of the belt, 5 strips are replaced by a 5-inch red bar, known colloquially as "Brick" representing the 5th degree.

The belt manufacturer's label must be removed.

This denomination and marking was adopted after a few short time individual stripes were used which made it difficult to count each line.

The exact date is unknown, but it is presumed to be used since the early 70s.

Where does the idea come from? Navy ranks, FGM Parker served in the US Coastguards and Sibok Kelly was a Marine. by example, a 7th degree Black is very similar to a Vice Admiral sleeve rank.

Certain groups use belts with embroidery, with marks of other dimensions, of other colors and even without any mark, which is perfectly acceptable and optional and obeys multiple philosophies and points of view."

My thanks to Ron Chapel and to Jose Miguel Morales.

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