Continuous Training, Time in Grade and Other Stuff ....

The condition was that the grades were for continuous training in Isshin-ryu karate-do. - AJA Sensei on Isshinkai as to Tatsuo Sensei's view on rank or belts. The contention here is what folks use to define "continuous training."

Continuous training: Does this mean two hours three times a week? Does this mean daily training of any duration? Does this mean a certain amount of dojo training? Where and who decides what is considered continuous training.

If I were to take the comments literally I have over thirty-two years continuous training and practice as an Isshinryu black belt. In that light and under an assumption Tatsuo Sensei meant us to be honest with our selves, i.e. self governed, then I would assume my grade would be Judan.

His (Tatsuo Sensei) supposed time in grade requirement was:

Shodan 9-16 months Black Belt
Nidan 3 years continuous practice Black Belt
Sandan 4-6 years continuous practice Black Belt
Yondan 7-9 years continuous practice Renshi title Black Belt
Godan 10-12 years continuous practice Renshi title Black Belt
Rokudan 13-15 years continuous practice Renshi title Black Belt
Nanadan 16-20 years continuous practice Kyoshi title Red and White Belt
Hachidan 20-25 years continuous practice Kyoshi title Red and White Belt
Kudan 25-30 years continuous practice Hanshi title Red Belt
Judan 30 years and up continuous active participation Hanchi title Red Belt

and then the statement attributed to Tatsuo Sensei:

"This is the Isshin-ryu grading system that Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei gave to us on Okinawa. We were suppose to follow it when wearing grades he passed out to us on Okinawa. The condition was that the grades were for continuous training in Isshin-ryu karate-do."

So, what do we do about this? What should we consider authoritative as to grades vs. time in grade vs. continuous training (as it may be loosely defined as an unbroken whole, without interruption)?

This seems to open the door to many high grade practitioners but does it really?

What I take into consideration as to grade: A person's honesty, integrity, and sincerity toward his or her practice and training. If we don't have, at a minimum, these three traits as karate-ka then no matter the rank, grade or level it has little meaning. It involves a self-governed moral uprightness coupled with a strong sense of morality. A lack of corruption or being corruptible. I would look to a consistency of a persons actions and deeds, the values they hold, the methods by which they live life, the self measures they put on themselves, the guiding principles by which they practice and live, and the expectations they impose on themselves as to the outcome of any endeavor. I would add to this the quality a person has as to an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to their motivations for one's actions. This is what I would perceive as promotion criteria along with time-in-rank.

Continuous defined: Forming an unbroken whole; without interruption; of a function or curve; extending without break or irregularity; endlessly: with unflagging resolve; Without break, cessation, or interruption; without intervening time; Without intervening space; continued; protracted; extended; Not deviating or varying from uniformity; not interrupted; not joined or articulated, etc.