Different brand of belt at school.

[J. Pickard]

I never washed my belts and they never got smelly or anything else unpleasant.

Washing ones blackbelt over and over I can imagine it quickly get that cool worn look like a “grandmasters” belt.



This one, what an idea to come up with, also unimaginable during the “Golden Age”

“Try using packaging tape to lift surface dirt from your belt”

Karate Belt Care Instructions - Kataaro.

The packing tape Idea is an interesting idea I might just try. I find that after a week of training my belt is so gross and sweaty (most of it mine) that if I don't wash it, it will start to smell. I never machine wash it, just soak it in a small bucket of boiling water with some distilled vinegar for an hour, then add some baking soda so the bubbles agitate out any dirt. Rinse and hang up to dry.

 

[Simfers]

My belt gets thrown in the wash with my gi and the rest of my clothes after every class. So much sweat gets on there in BJJ (both mine and other people's), it's a veritable petri dish.

 

[Buka]

the thing about not washing your belt and it turning different colours as you acquire repeated injuries is hyperbole. Just think about it a little. What activities in karate cause you to bleed from the midsection? What's more it's gross.

Blood usually comes from cuts on your hands or arms, or from somebody you’re working with. Or a nosebleed.

 

[_Simon_]

Whilst off topic, nup, I never wash my belt. I really like the sentiment and tradition behind that

 

[Same Trick]

The packing tape Idea is an interesting idea I might just try. I find that after a week of training my belt is so gross and sweaty (most of it mine) that if I don't wash it, it will start to smell. I never machine wash it, just soak it in a small bucket of boiling water with some distilled vinegar for an hour, then add some baking soda so the bubbles agitate out any dirt. Rinse and hang up to dry.

“Who can wait in stillness while the mud settles?
Who can rest until the moment of action?

He who holds on to the Way seeks no excess.
Since he lacks excess,
He can grow old in no need to be renewed”


Tao Te Ching - Chapter 15

 

[Stuarto]

Whilst off topic, nup, I never wash my belt. I really like the sentiment and tradition behind that

I don't wash mine either, I feel like they are supposed to have a part of me in them. Maybe its weird, but that's how they are earned. Through time, effort, and sweat.

 

[Gyakuto]

I never washed my belts and they never got smelly or anything else unpleasant.

Mine would become a bit sweaty in the summer months, and since sweat contains proteins, various solutes that bacteria consider food, I felt they needed the occasional wash.

Washing ones blackbelt over and over I can imagine it quickly get that cool worn look like a “grandmasters” belt.

It takes longer than you might think unless you’re bashing it against a rock in a river!

This one, what an idea to come up with, also unimaginable during the “Golden Age”

“Try using packaging tape to lift surface dirt from your belt”

If you train on a beach or on bare soil like they did in Okinawa!

 

[Gyakuto]

I don't wash mine either, I feel like they are supposed to have a part of me in them. Maybe its weird, but that's how they are earned. Through time, effort, and sweat.

How often do you wash your gym clothes?

These days you can buy antibacterial laundry additives that can be used in a 10 minute rinse cycle and I think that’s suitable for ranking belts.

 

[Gyakuto]

Whilst off topic, nup, I never wash my belt. I really like the sentiment and tradition behind that

You live and train in Australia, a slightly warm country, and you never even rinse out your belt?

 

[_Simon_]

You live and train in Australia, a slightly warm country, and you never even rinse out your belt?

Correctamundo and yes indeedy!

 

[Gyakuto]

Correctamundo

Surely you’re not old enough to use such an agglutination.

and yes indeedy!

When sparring, do you find you never have to touch your partner to repel their attack?

 

[Same Trick]

If you train on a beach or on bare soil like they did in Okinawa!

They only dressed up in surfer shorts

chojun miyagi - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

cn.bing.com

 

[Gyakuto]

They only dressed up in surfer shorts

chojun miyagi - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

cn.bing.com

So that suggests that ‘belt etiquette’ isn’t even ‘traditional’ or indeed a thing!

 

[Same Trick]

So that suggests that ‘belt etiquette’ isn’t even ‘traditional’ or indeed a thing!

At least not on the beach

 

[Simfers]

Whilst off topic, nup, I never wash my belt. I really like the sentiment and tradition behind that

My dear homonym, I love you, but on this we will have to disagree I'm afraid.

Since this is the Internet, we must of course disagree in the time-honoured tradition of the venue, of course: *Ahem* I challenge you to fisticuffs, you ruffian!

 

[isshinryuronin]

So that suggests that ‘belt etiquette’ isn’t even ‘traditional’ or indeed a thing!

Judo belts were started in very early 1900's. Karate belts and gi started early 1920's in Japan to conform to school grading/curriculum structure (and their love of uniforms). For Okinawa, it was the mid 1930's because Japan told them to.

Custom of not washing belts was around in the USA at least since 1960. Don't know how or where that really came about. Maybe just a joke someone here or overseas started? I just chalk it up to the "mystique" of karate.

Before the surfer shorts karate attire, a white loin cloth was considered chic, tank top optional.

 

[Same Trick]

Interestingly it seems that use of (judo/karate)belts saw the daylight around same time as invention of the package tape

 

[opr1945]

Invent the Karate belt. Then invent a way to clean it. Makes sense.

 

[Bonhomme]

I can’t imagine a student going out and getting a belt on his own. Whatever for?

I bought my own colored belts because I never got a size that fit me (and I hated single wrapping) and some of them were really cheap junk that wouldn't last a couple months of everyday training. I picked up decent enough belts for like half off and was happy with them.

 

[_Simon_]

My dear homonym, I love you, but on this we will have to disagree I'm afraid.

Since this is the Internet, we must of course disagree in the time-honoured tradition of the venue, of course: *Ahem* I challenge you to fisticuffs, you ruffian!

Or belt-whipping contest?