Validation

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is the action of checking or proving the validity or accuracy of something; the action of making or declaring something legally or officially acceptable; recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile. 

It comes down to things like "authority," because we tend to accept things from authority figures and/or organizations, etc., like being a Doctor who has valid credentials authorized and awarded by an accepted valid organization of a medical origin. 

We drive our cars once the state DMV tests and validates and authorizes us to drive when we pass all their criteria, tests and have met medical standards previously set before requesting a driver's license. 

In the world, communities, of the martial arts or disciplines of other where karate resides there are no valid or authorized entities that will validate truly what it means to have rank, grade or expertise in the martial disciplines like karate. 

Kensho [検証] characters/ideograms translate to English to mean, "verification; inspection; validation." 

Oh, and in regard to "certification(s)?" Certifications meaning, "the action or process of providing someone or something with an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement; an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement." 

Certifications made on certificates are arbitrary in nature in the martial art communities because there is no single accepted authority to govern them all, like the United States Government as the authority of the entire society, so certificates tend to be created adhoc, on the fly, according to what ever system that group or community create and accept. 

Sensei's certificate and authority is only valid and accepted within sensei's dojo and the dojo only valid and accepted in a larger body that governs many like dojo being an association and as to a collective of associations in the martial arts THERE IS NOT GOVERNING AUTHORITY to govern them all. Splintering not just rank or grade but understanding and teachings overall to the one art of martial skills. 

Ninsho [認証] characters/ideograms translate to English to mean, "authentication; certification; attestation; authentication; confirmation; validation." 

Now, we have the question of "authority," as to who or whom has the authority to validate, certify and authenticate one's status and rank and grade in martial disciplines to include karate? One with authorization shall have, "official permission; sanction; the power to influence others, especially because of one's recognized knowledge about something; a person with extensive or specialized knowledge about a subject; an expert."

So one with authority must have extensive and specialize knowledge, understanding and experience in martial disciplines to include karate accepted by all as expert or of mastery in the discipline. They are accepted by all as a source of authority who will be accepted as a certifier to authenticate the skills, understanding and knowledge of the discipline in regard to status and rank and grade as well as being accepted by all in doling out influence, permissions and to sanction one or one's dojo as meeting his or the organizations authority to act with their blessings. A hierarchal system with an accepted leader who is also accepted and authorized to make rules, regulations and requirements to dictate to all what is required as to criteria in the performance of duties validated, assigned and certified by said governance. 

One must ask themselves, do they need said validation/certification and why would they need it. Since our social structure and belief system requires one or an origination of authority authorized to perform needed requirements many seek out such validation even in light of their expertise, experience and beliefs because otherwise they would not be viable teaching sources to the layperson. There then would be chaos in place of order and it is order that promotes group cohesiveness necessary for survival. A lone practitioner who visits other dojo merely to practice and test themselves needs no authority, validation or certifications as long as the participating dojo allows them access to the dojo and onto the dojo floor. No rank, grade or certifications necessary once the sensei observes an individual to ensure they have some capability to survive on the dojo floor. 

In the end, We Are Human. In closing the quote states, “Authority is the legitimate power which one person or group possesses and practices over another. A civil state usually makes this formal by way of a judicial branch and an executive branch of government. In the exercise of governance, the terms authority and power sometimes are inaccurately used as synonyms.”

The only requirement a karate-ka needs that exists outside the self is that innate need and requirement to test oneself especially in a system or skill-set that manifests chiefly in self-protection for self-defense involving grave harm and violence up to an including death of either party involved. 

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)