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Do many of you still have shodan-ho (where the real grade of shodan, including belt and certificate) is awarded only after a further year of training. The shodan-ho is allowed to wear a generic blackbelt. After proving his/her ongoing dedication, a certificate and personalised belt are presented.
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Our dojo observes a tradition similar to this. A couple of shodan just recently received their "official" shodan belt with name and organization embroidered on the belt. Prior to receiving this, the karateka wears a basic kuro obi. I believe the time is somewhere around one year.
on the side: I think a close family member or loved one ties the belt and tells the karateka what he/she expects for the rest of his/her career. Training hard, staying honorable to school country etc... that sort of thing.
off to the side question: I've read on some dojo websites about dojo etiquette. It was stated that a lower kyu cannot/must not touch the obi of a higher grade particularly a dan grade. Where does this tradition come from? Is this a universally practiced tradition?