I turned 40 in october. Spent my life studying martial arts because I couldn't physically do so due to a heart defect. it still amazes me every time I look at my Orange belt to see how far I've developed since starting a year ago.
When my uncle passed he was a red belt, 9th dan. He committed over 60 years of his life to judo and the martial arts. He had numerous accolades to his name, black belt hall of fame twice, air force championships, he even had a day named after from the city he lived in. Was he an innovator on the mats? I don't know, but he trained high level competitors and even Olympians. He was one of the guys to help spread judo in the United States. I don't think it's just about innovation but how you change people's lives, change the community for the better.
As someone who does judo and is completing a PhD (AND who hopes to leverage some of my studies to contribute to the art as I go into instructing and spreading word about the art), I appreciate this descriptor :)
4:16 you represent your coral belt in a great way. I really love your videos, how you share your knowledge and help us improving ourselves every day again 🙇🥋
interesting take on rank... thanks. Seems that with every promotion I received I came to understand just how much I DIDN'T know and understand about my art. Once promoted to Sho-Dan I realized that my learning journey was now only just beginning.
Too right. Hardest few months of judo was just after getting Sho Dan last year. It's now you actually start to learn and develop... Hope you're still on that journey!👍🥋
I love hearing knowledgeable and passionate people talk about their field of expertise, whatever that might be, but especially in things that I enjoy doing, such as judo. My current sensei is an eighth Dan and I enjoy his explanations as much as I enjoy sensei Higashi's. Thank you so much for your contribution to the sport!
Thats awesome you got to do randori with another red and white belt. Its a mark of pride and you should take great pleasure in both your achievement but also the rare experience of competing with someone else at your level, even if it was just at the end of a class. Very cool story :)
I waiting for the inevitable mugger going for a coral belt who left the gym without changing after mistaking him/her for having a children's rank. Jokes aside, grats on climbing the mountain, Higashi Sensei. It is uplifting to see people attaining master instructor with so many years ahead of themselves to practice and teach.
Years ago I was in town and stopped at my old dojo. I didn't have my black belt on me so I was looking to borrow one. My old instructor told me to grab his "other" black belt from his bag. It was his coral belt. I was like, there's no way I'm putting that on.
I started judo last February at the age of 33 and at first thought that as i was told we do 2 gradings a year at our dojo, i could technically be a black within 3. Then i realised how much more effort has to be put in after green, which i completely respect. I now have decided, when i get to green (next belt) i will stop grading for a while and work on improving myself before i rush to keep grading.
I'm 37, started at 35 and hoping to grade to blue later this year (British Judo Coucil). It really is a huge step up once you get to green. And I completely get you when you say you want to 'slow down'. Imposter syndrome is REAL! You don't want to get 'found out'. I wanted to slow down after orange just like you. On the plus side, the longer you train, the more things start to fall into place, and your 'feel' for the art/sport starts to 'click'. Unlike my previous 3 gradings, I feel ready for my next. I've still got so much to learn, but I am starting to feel confident that I am improving slowly but surely. Keep up the good work and never stop showing up at the dojo!
You can do judo for 80 years and clock in without contributing anything to the world, and you can do judo for a lot less but selflessly give back. I feel like time isn’t always the best indicator, Shintaro is very young yet gave so much for many many years, and that’s what matters. After all the founder said that the goal was to give back to society not hoarding medals.
I have had the privilege of training under Shintaro and his father since 2001. There is no finer place to learn the arts. We call his father "Soke" which means "Founder of Family." KBI has been and always will be a family to me.
Hello!) I just want to say "Thank You!" for your work at Tbilisi GS. Really, Good Work! It was some kind like "Fresh Stream". JudoTv needs it, imho. n.b. There was a commetaiting in my native language, too. But your was much better. p.s. And one more time - Thank You!
I have a kohaku belt in a presentation box waiting for me. It helps me to stay focused on my path (the '-do' in "judo"). One day I might get there. Jita Kyoei all the way!
The story of you and Mikhail Kozitskiy is really cool. At the Sambo FIAS coach certification seminar he was still doing front hand spring warm ups. I couldn’t believe it. I wish I could have seen y’all’s randori.
I just turned 47 and I am going to pick up judo. I have spent half my life training, TKD and 2 different styles of japanese Jui Jitsu. The learning is what drives, me but i find real satisfaction in learning through teaching. When you really get to understand the mechanics of techniques and can communicate it to students like it was communicated to you by your master. I was fortunate to enough to train under a grand master from korea for TKD who had dedicated his entire life to the art and do JJJ with an instructor who trained in japan. So now at 47 I think it is time to learn more and take on a new challenge. Judo is going to be it. Maybe i will find another 25 years of absolute enjoyment.
Very cool explanation! I saw some videos from Bernie Lau who does Aiki-jujitsu and former cop. He created his own variation of aiki-jujitsu. He and his top instructors work black and white coral belts. Also very cool!😎
Correct me if Im wrong but I was under the impression that they forwarded their own version of AikiJJ, called it a system unto itself and gave themselves red belts without ever competing against other grapplers?
Don't forget that the USJA awards a black-and-red belt to 4th and 5th dan before going to red-and-white for 6th and up. My instructor wears his red-and-black belt (he's a godan) all the time just like you do. I didn't realize until recently that some people consider that weird.
I always try to explain it to people. I was 42 when I started Judo. I had already done just about everything else, started at 11. My sensei was 17. But he started at 7. National Competitor, 3rd dan, and now National Coach until 2025.
belt system is designed to motivate, reward and keep ppl practicing and remaining in the system. Many ppl are motivated by external/extrinsic rewards.💁♂️. And of course, let’s not forget belts also designate rank/authority, responsibility, and privilege…and to a degree skill (pun not intended), but that’s a super nuanced convo.
Sensei Higashi, are you familiar with the high ranking Judokas from Ajax, Ontario. The Dohertys, father bill 8th Dan, Kevin 7th Dan, Karl 6th..Of course the Hatachita family is pretty well known here also.
I didn't even know a coral belt existed, probably because your dad always wore a red-and-white belt when I was at your dojo (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth). Thanks for sharing!
I've never seen a coral belt in Finland. I know there's I think a 9th dan japanese guy in some small village (you can see their name, rank and club on the national list online) who moved to Finland when he was younger and founded the club, he's the highest rank in Finland.
Everyone that lives long enough to get old gets gray hair. Some deserve it, some it's just time in the system. Some people are better than others in life; they're kinder, they help others, they give, and they'll leave with few regrets. May your belt color be the same thing.
I believe Judo has the best ranking system. You must demonstrate knowledge and then apply it at a relevant level. Also it doesn’t take so long, as it often does in BJJ and you know precisely what is expected of you at each rank (exception for Gracie schools). You can train anywhere in the world and still progress, without the stupid mafia like loyalty that applies to most BJJ places. I’m not saying it’s better than BJJ, just it has a better ranking system.
I think it got too many belts also you can get your black belt easily I like the standard of a blue belt in bjj being able to beat someone without training being the first level but yes it isn't outright of what the criteria is but a brown can teach and take over for the black belt and black belt is master is how I see it
Could a 46 year old start judo and earn a blackbelt? I’m not interested in competing? I’m mostly focusing on improving as a martial artist and self defense to incorporate into my BJJ and Kenpo.
My head Sensei has a Coral belt. He is early 70ths and 6th Dan. He mainly coaches now and mostly wears coral belt, but sometimes he joins in and wears the black I only know of one other sensei local that has a coral belt. He is younger, maybe 60, but he was a higher level athlete and started younger Edit Quick Google search, only 6 Judoka have achieved the 6th Dan or higher in the North of Ireland. Still a small number for the amount of Judoka. We are a small country/province, but Judo is still plenty popular and has many clubs with a lot of comps
I have a great respect for your pursuit of self cultivation but as a master you should take seriously the myths and legends which underpin your martial art. For instance you have patron who is composed of ten very different individuals.
Do I understand it correctly, that your father didn't care if he ripped someone's knee or shoulder? Damaging your opponent on purpose in randori is shameful behaviour. The dojo is a place for ultimate sportsmanship.
4:16 you represent your coral belt in a great way. I really love your videos, how you share your knowledge and help us improving ourselves every day again 🙇🥋
I turned 40 in october. Spent my life studying martial arts because I couldn't physically do so due to a heart defect. it still amazes me every time I look at my Orange belt to see how far I've developed since starting a year ago.
Everybody runs his own race 👍
Good stuff! Keep going, you're gonna be an inspiration to someone.
Good timing. Yesterday, a coral belt instructor visited our school and gave us a really in depth class.
When my uncle passed he was a red belt, 9th dan. He committed over 60 years of his life to judo and the martial arts. He had numerous accolades to his name, black belt hall of fame twice, air force championships, he even had a day named after from the city he lived in. Was he an innovator on the mats? I don't know, but he trained high level competitors and even Olympians. He was one of the guys to help spread judo in the United States. I don't think it's just about innovation but how you change people's lives, change the community for the better.
That’s amazing!
heh my step dad got grabbing the legs in a tournament banned. At least that's what they told him at the time.
PHD in Judo. You are a true living Legend.
As someone who does judo and is completing a PhD (AND who hopes to leverage some of my studies to contribute to the art as I go into instructing and spreading word about the art), I appreciate this descriptor :)
4:16 you represent your coral belt in a great way. I really love your videos, how you share your knowledge and help us improving ourselves every day again 🙇🥋
interesting take on rank... thanks. Seems that with every promotion I received I came to understand just how much I DIDN'T know and understand about my art. Once promoted to Sho-Dan I realized that my learning journey was now only just beginning.
Too right. Hardest few months of judo was just after getting Sho Dan last year. It's now you actually start to learn and develop...
Hope you're still on that journey!👍🥋
...that gi is SOOO CLEAN yo!...
I kinda suspect he's ground his first five or so into a fine powder on various mats ;)
I love hearing knowledgeable and passionate people talk about their field of expertise, whatever that might be, but especially in things that I enjoy doing, such as judo. My current sensei is an eighth Dan and I enjoy his explanations as much as I enjoy sensei Higashi's. Thank you so much for your contribution to the sport!
Thats awesome you got to do randori with another red and white belt. Its a mark of pride and you should take great pleasure in both your achievement but also the rare experience of competing with someone else at your level, even if it was just at the end of a class. Very cool story :)
"I don't want to say that." Master class in effective and considerate communication right there Sensei Higashi. 🙏
That's the highlight of the video IMO
I waiting for the inevitable mugger going for a coral belt who left the gym without changing after mistaking him/her for having a children's rank. Jokes aside, grats on climbing the mountain, Higashi Sensei. It is uplifting to see people attaining master instructor with so many years ahead of themselves to practice and teach.
Years ago I was in town and stopped at my old dojo. I didn't have my black belt on me so I was looking to borrow one. My old instructor told me to grab his "other" black belt from his bag. It was his coral belt. I was like, there's no way I'm putting that on.
Now I know why I love your channel! Great explanation.
I started judo last February at the age of 33 and at first thought that as i was told we do 2 gradings a year at our dojo, i could technically be a black within 3. Then i realised how much more effort has to be put in after green, which i completely respect. I now have decided, when i get to green (next belt) i will stop grading for a while and work on improving myself before i rush to keep grading.
I'm 37, started at 35 and hoping to grade to blue later this year (British Judo Coucil). It really is a huge step up once you get to green. And I completely get you when you say you want to 'slow down'. Imposter syndrome is REAL! You don't want to get 'found out'. I wanted to slow down after orange just like you. On the plus side, the longer you train, the more things start to fall into place, and your 'feel' for the art/sport starts to 'click'. Unlike my previous 3 gradings, I feel ready for my next. I've still got so much to learn, but I am starting to feel confident that I am improving slowly but surely. Keep up the good work and never stop showing up at the dojo!
Your contributions have been out standing. Keep up the Judo Revival 👍🙌✊🥋
My instructor also wears his coral belt when he randori's. Love your videos.
Mine too lol. He's in his late 60s, but he's had coral belt since his 50s and I've never seen him wear another belt.
When I started Judo around 3 years ago, I didn’t realise how lucky my club was to have *TWO* 6th Dan instructors. I do now 😂
You can do judo for 80 years and clock in without contributing anything to the world, and you can do judo for a lot less but selflessly give back.
I feel like time isn’t always the best indicator, Shintaro is very young yet gave so much for many many years, and that’s what matters. After all the founder said that the goal was to give back to society not hoarding medals.
I have had the privilege of training under Shintaro and his father since 2001. There is no finer place to learn the arts. We call his father "Soke" which means "Founder of Family." KBI has been and always will be a family to me.
Damn you look great for almost 40.
Japanese no crease
Asian don’t crack…ian?
@@tearsintherain6311raisin*
Hello!)
I just want to say "Thank You!" for your work at Tbilisi GS. Really, Good Work!
It was some kind like "Fresh Stream".
JudoTv needs it, imho.
n.b. There was a commetaiting in my native language, too. But your was much better.
p.s. And one more time - Thank You!
Congratulations on this accomplishment and many more to come sensei oss🥋
I have a kohaku belt in a presentation box waiting for me. It helps me to stay focused on my path (the '-do' in "judo"). One day I might get there. Jita Kyoei all the way!
The story of you and Mikhail Kozitskiy is really cool. At the Sambo FIAS coach certification seminar he was still doing front hand spring warm ups. I couldn’t believe it. I wish I could have seen y’all’s randori.
I just turned 47 and I am going to pick up judo. I have spent half my life training, TKD and 2 different styles of japanese Jui Jitsu. The learning is what drives, me but i find real satisfaction in learning through teaching. When you really get to understand the mechanics of techniques and can communicate it to students like it was communicated to you by your master. I was fortunate to enough to train under a grand master from korea for TKD who had dedicated his entire life to the art and do JJJ with an instructor who trained in japan. So now at 47 I think it is time to learn more and take on a new challenge. Judo is going to be it. Maybe i will find another 25 years of absolute enjoyment.
Combining TKD and Judo. My ideal mix martial arts. BTW, I m also 47 but still do TKD perhaps for several more years before moving to Judo.
Very cool explanation! I saw some videos from Bernie Lau who does Aiki-jujitsu and former cop. He created his own variation of aiki-jujitsu. He and his top instructors work black and white coral belts. Also very cool!😎
Correct me if Im wrong but I was under the impression that they forwarded their own version of AikiJJ, called it a system unto itself and gave themselves red belts without ever competing against other grapplers?
紅白帯おめでとうございます。私は去年初段を取ったので二段に向けて頑張ります。
Don't forget that the USJA awards a black-and-red belt to 4th and 5th dan before going to red-and-white for 6th and up. My instructor wears his red-and-black belt (he's a godan) all the time just like you do. I didn't realize until recently that some people consider that weird.
Thanks!! Great explanation on your viewpoint.
I always try to explain it to people. I was 42 when I started Judo. I had already done just about everything else, started at 11. My sensei was 17. But he started at 7. National Competitor, 3rd dan, and now National Coach until 2025.
I really wish Judo was bigger in my area, enough to where I can volunteer at Judo events and come into other practitioners of some tangible skill.
Start a local club from square one
What brand gi is that ? Anyone know ?, I have not seen it before
kimono fighter by Hiroyuki Akimoto
Same question. It does not look like judo kimono at all.
i have a tournament coming up do you have any tips?
Well spoken Shintaro
I met one coral belt at a national tournament 25 years ago. I thought it was super cool.
belt system is designed to motivate, reward and keep ppl practicing and remaining in the system. Many ppl are motivated by external/extrinsic rewards.💁♂️.
And of course, let’s not forget belts also designate rank/authority, responsibility, and privilege…and to a degree skill (pun not intended), but that’s a super nuanced convo.
Sensei Higashi, are you familiar with the high ranking Judokas from Ajax, Ontario. The Dohertys, father bill 8th Dan, Kevin 7th Dan, Karl 6th..Of course the Hatachita family is pretty well known here also.
What brand is that Gi? I’m in love with it
What’s the difference between red and black belt and red and white belt?
this is outstanding!
Great video, thank you sir.
Congratulations! 🙏🏾
we have a coral belt who often visits our club, very cool guy
I didn't even know a coral belt existed, probably because your dad always wore a red-and-white belt when I was at your dojo (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth). Thanks for sharing!
It’s similar in Okinawa styles right?
I've never seen a coral belt in Finland. I know there's I think a 9th dan japanese guy in some small village (you can see their name, rank and club on the national list online) who moved to Finland when he was younger and founded the club, he's the highest rank in Finland.
Where is that judogi from!?
Traditional Okinawan Karate also uses the coral belt after black, then full red for the highest rank of grandmaster.
My gym started displaying the Dan rank on both sides of the belt, I am the last 1st Dan with no gold stripes. I am ten years late for my 2nd grading 😢
I've already asked a coral belt to do randori... He kicked my ass.
Thanks man
I tried BJJ .I always thought,maybe i should have done Judo instead?
Everyone that lives long enough to get old gets gray hair. Some deserve it, some it's just time in the system. Some people are better than others in life; they're kinder, they help others, they give, and they'll leave with few regrets. May your belt color be the same thing.
I believe Judo has the best ranking system. You must demonstrate knowledge and then apply it at a relevant level. Also it doesn’t take so long, as it often does in BJJ and you know precisely what is expected of you at each rank (exception for Gracie schools). You can train anywhere in the world and still progress, without the stupid mafia like loyalty that applies to most BJJ places. I’m not saying it’s better than BJJ, just it has a better ranking system.
I think it got too many belts also you can get your black belt easily I like the standard of a blue belt in bjj being able to beat someone without training being the first level but yes it isn't outright of what the criteria is but a brown can teach and take over for the black belt and black belt is master is how I see it
Could a 46 year old start judo and earn a blackbelt? I’m not interested in competing? I’m mostly focusing on improving as a martial artist and self defense to incorporate into my BJJ and Kenpo.
Yes, you can. It may take you a few years, but if you apply yourself, it's definitely achievable.
It's approx. 10 years..! The goal is to progress and have fun, not the black belt. But yes, judo is for everybody.
I cant wait until I get my coral belt in bjj. I will be only 90 years old!
Respect sensei! Oss
Deep down you know if you have earnt it and other can see if you understand it. Osu!
OSS Brother
My head Sensei has a Coral belt. He is early 70ths and 6th Dan. He mainly coaches now and mostly wears coral belt, but sometimes he joins in and wears the black
I only know of one other sensei local that has a coral belt. He is younger, maybe 60, but he was a higher level athlete and started younger
Edit
Quick Google search, only 6 Judoka have achieved the 6th Dan or higher in the North of Ireland. Still a small number for the amount of Judoka. We are a small country/province, but Judo is still plenty popular and has many clubs with a lot of comps
You remind me of Teimoc.
40 is just tenth-degree 30
I'm 37 and just started judo about two months now and I'm still a white belt 😂
Everyone knows a worn in belt is always better than a crisp one.
"when you reach 10 dan you are so old and broken that you are no longer worth anything" Jon Bluming
Don't believe that for a second. The knowledge one could pass down with that many years of training is priceless.
I will be 135 when I get my Coral Belt!!!
I have a great respect for your pursuit of self cultivation but as a master you should take seriously the myths and legends which underpin your martial art. For instance you have patron who is composed of ten very different individuals.
If you got em smoke em. Nothing wrong with that.
you wear bjj gi with judo belt - i think this is wrong some way
And wearing the belt around the neck. At least at my club that’s considered disrespectful.
First belt after white is a red belt. The last belt you get at the higher level is red so you have effectively gone full circle.
Wait. You’re under 40? I thought you were older than me.
Oh okay, I thought you the American fashion thing.
Do I understand it correctly, that your father didn't care if he ripped someone's knee or shoulder? Damaging your opponent on purpose in randori is shameful behaviour. The dojo is a place for ultimate sportsmanship.
Don't be a wiener.
Your gi doesn’t look legal for judo
His gym cross trains so he probably just got done with BJJ
If you are willing to fake your height by about 4 inches, I'd think you'd also fake your degree of belt by 4 as well. Fake judoka.
4:16 you represent your coral belt in a great way. I really love your videos, how you share your knowledge and help us improving ourselves every day again 🙇🥋