do you wash your belt?

[saikyou]

do you wash your belt? when i was a newbie, a fellow student told me not to wash my belt. i grew to the habit of not washing it. how bout you guys?

[LilBunnyRabbit]

I know someone who washed their red belt with their white do-bok.

Result was a pink do-bok.

[bcullen]

Nope, For us its part of the tradition.

[Freeform]

I washed every new belt I got to reduce the staining on my gi, but apart from that, no.

Col

[Darkflames21]

I used to, but I was told by my master to never wash my belt.

[booksie_girl]

I do TKD, but I also don't wash my belt, because my instructor told me not to when I started, he said there was a superstition that the knowledge would wash out, and a more practical reason that the colour would was out, leaving you with a rather faded looking belt.

[Maximicus]

You do mean "Karate" belts right? 'Cause I would never wash my leather casual wear belt!:D

[47Ronin]

Nope, never have never will.

[Andrew Green]

This thread stinks :D

Wash your belts, just not in the washing machine.

[Kwajman]

Nope nope nope.....

[Maximicus]

What if your bealt is drenched in blood and/or vomit? Never say never.

[Kof_Andy]

You deserve a bonk on the head if you can get vomit on it.

[Cain]

LOL! :D

I never have even thought about it, washing my belt that is ;)

|Cain|

[RubyMoon]

Your belt symbolizes your journey from innocence to master, and eventually back to innocence. Imagine there were no colored belts at all, just the white one you started with.

When you begin your training, you are fresh and new. Your mind is innocent, untainted by knowledge or experience. Like the white of your belt, you are pure and empty, ready to absorb whatever you are presented with.

As you progess, your belt becomes soiled from use and gradually darkens. Sweat and blood leave their stains. Eventually, the belt becomes so stained that it appears brown. After several years, it darkens even more and becomes completely black. Like your belt, you have absorbed a great deal now. You are no longer innocent and new. Now you are ready to begin a new journey.

After several more years of hard work, your "black" belt becomes so worn that it begins to fray. Beneath the soiled black exterior, patches of white begin to show through as the fabric becomes tattered and worn. Gradually, the belt becomes so frayed and weathered that it again turns entirely white.

Like your belt, you have come full circle from innocence, to master, and back to innocence. Even the shape of the belt is a circle. The circle is life, and the return to emptiness is enlightenment.

This is why the martial artist never washes her belt. Washing the belt symbolically washes away your experience. It can also fade and age your belt artificially, which is even worse. It is not superstition, but strong tradition. Symbolism can hold a powerful influence upon the subconscious, however, and should be treated with respect.

In my old school, we used belts and karate-style gis even though our style was kung fu. (You could wear a kung fu outfit if you wished; kung fu is typically more relaxed about uniforms than many other styles.) I never washed a belt under that system out of respect for the tradition.

In my current style, we wear kung fu uniforms and sashes. I have to confess, I did wash a sash once because, frankly, it really stank! The "belt" system isn't actually part of kung fu, however, so I didn't attach much meaning to it. To us, a colored sash is just an attractive way of identifying one another's approximate skill level.

If you encounter the same problem with a karate or judo belt (i.e., it really stinks and you just can't stand it)...I wouldn't worry too much if you have to wash it. Just try to do so in the gentlest possible way and with a good deal of respect. You won't wash away your experience. Just don't make a habit out of it and you'll be fine.

[judojedi]

wow, thats profound.

i've heard of people washing their black belts in bleech and putting them in a tumble dryer with rocks and stones to make them look beaten and well used.

my black belt is fairly new, i bend and twist it and stuff to make it more flexible but i'd never wash it. especially now i've read ruby's post.

[Ghost Frog]

I washed my belt last month. I left it in my bag with my kit, along with my swimming kit, which I didn't realise had fallen out of the plastic bag it was in. I left it for a couple of days cos I had stuff on with work, and when I opened it, it had mould growing on it!!

I think that, because I hadn't washed it for so long, there was tons of sweat and juicy stuff for the mould to grow on, and that's how it took hold so quickly. Yuk!!!

I never usually wash my belt, mind. When I was grading up to a new belt, I used to wash it once in cold water when I got it, because otherwise they often used to 'leak' onto your gi and stain the back of it when you sweated.

I remember one lad when we'd just started, put his yellow belt in with his gi in the washing machine. He was known as 'bananaman' for some time afterwards. :D

[saikyou]

nice! lets keep the tradition! about the vommit and mold thingie, ill be "extra" alert for those things. :D also, nice post RubyMoon. :D

[warren]

no and the reason,well actually i couldn't put it any better than rubymoon has already.

[willy]

the whole white belt turing black is an inspiring story but it is wrong, wrong wrong!


http://www.e-budokai.com/articles/belts.htm


black belts were not devolped until kano(founder of judo) invented them.

[YODA]

Welcome to MAP Willy :D

[redbull]

i trained a a club where we only wore white belts. There were no colored belts. Once your belt became black from all the dirt and years of practise the you knew that you had becomed a black belt.

[Aegis]

You sure about that redbull? I only ask because that was originally a myth, it wasn't how black belts really came about. In fact most people can wear a white belt for many many years and it will never turn black.

[willy]

i'm with aegis on this one.

if this is true-

how did you compete? with only white belts that had to get confusing.

how long on average did this take, and how did you control quality? if i practiced for years but still knew nothing and was horrible but my belt was dirty am i a black belt? what if i dropped it in a muddy puddle on my way to class? did i just gain rank?

how dirty were your floors- seriously if you have clean floors this would never happen, so either you are training in one dirty room and should think about leaving for sanitary reasons or you are full of B.S.

[willy]

and saintary reasons brings up a point to all the other people who don't wash their belts. think about what all that sweat and dirt and blood etc. that has soaked in......really think about it kinda sounds dirty and a breeding place for germs especially if you keep in it your bag all the time. also if you plan on getting a green belt when you are awarded it or a brown belt etc... there is no reason why you should not wash it

[YODA]

Originally posted by redbull
i trained a a club where we only wore white belts. There were no colored belts. Once your belt became black from all the dirt and years of practise the you knew that you had becomed a black belt.

Where was this club?

Address?

Website?

Instructor?

[TAPOUT]

no

[redbull]

Originally posted by Aegis
You sure about that redbull? I only ask because that was originally a myth, it wasn't how black belts really came about. In fact most people can wear a white belt for many many years and it will never turn black.

No really aegis it was just a figure of speech. to clarify things for you: in the club that i trained (in the past i dont traithere anymore) we did not use color belt system, we wore white belts and were specifically told by the instructor that we were not to wash our belts due to some traditional followings. With time your belt will get really dirty and will look dark grey instead of white, it will never get the the Dyed color black that you see in newly purchased black belts. However, you knew the students who had been around for a while because they had the dirtiest belts.

[Aegis]

That just sounds particularly unhygenic.... You wouldn't let a dogi get that dirty through consideration for those around you. Plus I've seen people who have trained for many years not get a white belt looking anything but white, so you must either have people training every day for several hours, or dirty mats.

Sorry if this sounds insulting in any way, but it sounds like the instructor heard the "belt turning black" story, believed it and wanted to seem more traditional.

[Ghost Frog]

Mmmm Yum-eee!!

I've seen a couple of people with that traditional 'yellow underarm' shading on their gi's that shows how hard they train. It's particularly nice doing groundwork with them. You work really hard to get out of holddowns! :)

[redbull]

Originally posted by Aegis

Sorry if this sounds insulting in any way, but it sounds like the instructor heard the "belt turning black" story, believed it and wanted to seem more traditional.

Your probably right, the instructo was a little coocoo, but as for the belts i do quarantee you that if you dont wash it within a matter of 3 to 4 years they will look more like dark grey than white.

[saikyou]

Originally posted by Ghost Frog
Mmmm Yum-eee!!

I've seen a couple of people with that traditional 'yellow underarm' shading on their gi's that shows how hard they train. It's particularly nice doing groundwork with them. You work really hard to get out of holddowns! :)

the problem is, you dont want to hold em' down either! :D

[saikyou]

Originally posted by redbull
Your probably right, the instructo was a little coocoo, but as for the belts i do quarantee you that if you dont wash it within a matter of 3 to 4 years they will look more like dark grey than white. 3 to 4 years? make that months. :D well, if the belt gets really dirty and very unhygenic to use, i guess, we should just follow what rubymoon has said. wash it as gentle as possible.

[zumtream]

I wear every new belt that i get in the bath so it loosens up. After that i never wash it.

[Mig]

I washed my yellow belt when I got it, but was told the same and have never washed one since. I like the idea of wearing a belt that has a history of hard training, I've certainly tried to pass this on in the belts I've graduated from.

[Freeform]

Originally posted by zumtream
I wear every new belt that i get in the bath so it loosens up. After that i never wash it.

Is that with or without your Gi as well ;)

Col

[Terry Matthes]

What is the point of tration if it only makes your belt stinky? Tradition for the sake of tradition is useless, especially in this situation.

[saikyou]

Originally posted by Terry Matthes
What is the point of tration if it only makes your belt stinky? Tradition for the sake of tradition is useless, especially in this situation.

be optimistic. its a good thing that a lot of practitioner still follows this ancient tradition. we have to follow this to set a good example to the future generation of martial artist. :D

[Aegis]

which ancient tradition? Being dirty to distract your opponent?

[Maximicus]

Blindly following tradition is as useless as Sepuku. If you want to preserve tradition, write a book. If you want to practise a well though out MA, do what is best! Dispite what many think, ancient monks and warriors didn't have all the answers!:eek: If there is a better way, for anything, DO IT!!!

Oh, and since your such traditionalists, I assume all you Karateka (including TKD) have ritualistically broken one or both of your middle fingers, right?

[chicken]

I just got my blackbelt last month,then i found a black mark around my gi waist. I shall be washing it once or twice.

[Aegis]

There is no tradition like that though, the belt darkening story is a myth.

[Furikuchan]

Okay, I have to speak up because this is getting annoying.
In all my years of martial arts, I have never seen the need to wash a belt. They rarely if ever get dirty in regular practice in the dojo. If your belt is getting dirty off the mats, clean the mats! There is no need to wash something that doesn't get dirty.
Also, once your belt reached she advanced stages of frayage (wear a black belt for 15 years and you see how it looks) running it through the wash would probably kill it.

[Redhotdragon]

no no no, it's part of you...

[mac]

i,m a third dan at judo been doing judo for 24yrs and never washed any of my belts and i dont think i know any body that has washed their belts either I just thought they were supposed to smell like that
sorry about the spelling been broped on my head again

[aml01_ph]

The belief of not washing your belt is utter BULL****! This "tradition" is not only bizarre, it is also disgusting. Think of the what you are brewing in your belt with all the dust, sweat and who knows what else mixed in there. What if some child put it in his or her mouth?
The "senseis" who preach this tradition are extremely misinformed and their knowledge of their martial art should be in doubt. It is also troubling that this myth is not only present in karate, but most martial arts as well.
The belt ranking system is actually, more or less a century old and its inventor is none other than Jigoro Kano (founder of judo). No self-respecting Japanese would leave any article of clothing they are going to wear unwashed.
Wash your uniform (even your belt). You will not only show that you have self-respect, you will also show that you have consideration for others who will be bothered by the awful stench your unwashed belt exudes.

Ans Saikyou...hindi magadang halimbawa sa darating na henerasyon ang pagturo ng mali.

[aml01_ph]

See this article of Mr. Rob Remond:

www.24fightingchickens.com/belts/05_washme.html

[saikyou]

Originally posted by aml01_ph
Ans Saikyou...hindi magadang halimbawa sa darating na henerasyon ang pagturo ng mali.

kung mali ito, bkit umabot pa sa henerasyon natin ito? sa tingin ko, wala namang masama sa pagsunod nito. hindi naman ako namimilit. ang sa akin, kung gusto nilang sumunod, sumunod sila at kung hindi naman, ok lang.

for the benefit of our fellow MAPpers who can't speak tagalog:

~translation~ :D

aml01_ph: teaching something that is wrong is a bad example to the future generation.

saikyou: how come it reached our generation? In my opinion, there's nothing wrong if you will follow this tradition. Im not forcing anyone to follow this. If they want to follow it, then let them follow the tradition and if they don't want to, then its ok.

[saikyou]

Originally posted by aml01_ph
See this article of Mr. Rob Remond:

www.24fightingchickens.com/belts/05_washme.html

well, like what rubymoon has said, if it really needs to be washed, wash it in the gentlest way possible.

[Freeform]

The Japanese wash their belts, its a fact.

I like the part in Angry White Pygamas where they put their Gi's outside to dry to show off, but keep their belts inside (because they're white) ;)

[Ghost Frog]

Originally posted by mac
I just thought they were supposed to smell like that

:LOL:

[darlph]

Nope! Both in Kyrokushin Karate and now in TKD that I have been in, you never wash your belt, even new to you ones. Mine has never bled on my uniforn and In TKD we have 10 colors. IN the karate, I can see the hard work I did in all three from the seat stains still in them. In bothe I was told you wash out the knowledge gained when you do that. Think of them as memory albums.

[RubyMoon]

Even though the "legend", from which the tradition of never washing your belt emerged, proved not to be ancient, the symbolism still holds true. I wouldn't toss it out entirely just because it's "only" a hundred or so years old. In many modern martial arts, it is a tightly held tradition and a lot of people enjoy the sense of importance and respect it brings to their arts.

My earlier story about the philosophy behind the tradition may not be ancient (although, my guess is it has some ancient roots anyway), but it still applies and certainly lends itself well to the modern belt system. Whether you wash your belt or not, you will still travel the circle of life, both in your martial arts training and in your everyday life. With this concept in mind, I find climbing through the various colored belts (or sashes) a much more rewarding and interesting pursuit.

I'll still throw the thing in the washer if it starts to stink, though. ;)

[Captain_Coward]

I washed a belt the other day cause it was new and dead stiff, i don't see any problem with doing this it was impractical the way it was so i just fixed it.

Kiwi

[aml01_ph]

It reached our generation because people follow it believing it to be some kind of holy tradition or some zen thing. It is not ok for hygienic reasons, especially with the Department of Health's campaign against SARS.

There may also be another reason as stated by my brother who practced judo before I did. He said dirty uniforms were another way to make your opponent submit (ala Dragonball, you know the stinky guy). This is why he kept two sets of uniforms, one he used for dojo training, and one he used for competitions. Since judo is a grappling art, I can see the logic. But I fail to see the logic for striking arts like karate.

[Captain_Coward]

Yeah, thats true there is nothing worse than someone putting a hold on you, and there sweating stinking Gi to be covering your face. It feels like you are being suffocated with a wet cloth bag on your head.
Most unagreeable

Kiwi

[RubyMoon]

Originally posted by Captain_Coward
Yeah, thats true there is nothing worse than someone putting a hold on you, and there sweating stinking Gi to be covering your face. It feels like you are being suffocated with a wet cloth bag on your head.
Most unagreeable If I were a referee I would disqualify anyone who showed up in a gi that wreaked so badly. It's disrespectful, and it's cheating. You might as well just rinse your gi in chloroform.

[DexterTCN]

People who wash their belts should be strung up by their...er....belts. :rolleyes:

Some belts need to be soaked because they have cheap dye, so I think it is fine to put a really heavily coloured belt in a tub of water for a while to remove excess dye. Otherwise they can stain jackets (which are rather more expensive to replace, and bleaching is bad for them).

And nothing looks worse than a brand new belt. But people can do what they want with stuff they buy.

[aml01_ph]

Wow Rubymoon! You're giving my brother ideas!

[RubyMoon]

Originally posted by aml01_ph
Wow Rubymoon! You're giving my brother ideas! :::groan::: Oh, great...I knew I shouldn't have said that bit about the chloroform. Heh...

[saikyou]

Originally posted by RubyMoon
If I were a referee I would disqualify anyone who showed up in a gi that wreaked so badly. It's disrespectful, and it's cheating. You might as well just rinse your gi in chloroform.

yup. agree!

[aml01_ph]

WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
If I go into pro-wrestling I'll bill myself....STINKBOMB! My finishing move, the TEAR GAS HOLD!
Axe would hire me to promote their cologne (to see if it can beat the odor). I'll be RICH!

[saikyou]

ok, this is getting off-topic. :D nice idea anyway.

[Kwajman]

Only heathens would wash their belts.....

[Freeform]

Whats a belt?









;)

[Kwajman]

The thing you hook your thumbs in when your tired....

[aml01_ph]

So the japanese are heathens huh?

[Ghost Frog]

Originally posted by Freeform
Whats a belt?






;)

Stand around with your guard down and you'll find out.

:D

[Kwajman]

aml01_ph

Well, uh, yea technically religiously speaking. Hey, just kidding. I respect all Japanese, well most of them. I defended you on another post so be nice!!!