i never cut my hair before any tests. been told that will cut away the knowledge that has been accumulating.. and of course, i always wear my lucky underwear.. one with crap load of leprechauns printed on it. it has worked wonders so far. i have other boxer with crap load of dragonfly printed on it for shiai.. tho the shiai underwear has shown to be less of help..

pete

I know someone who refuses to cut his hair before a grading because he think it'll make his tenugui slip down!

I make sure my men himo are not twisted... not only is it good manners but I fell like im propperly prepared for training or shiai!!!http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

supertitious? dont think about that kind of stuff... just get into the shiai yo, kiai like a crazy *********** and get relax... http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

I usually get my hair cut for the same reason. I always have tenugui issues when my hair's a bit long.

Also, to Pete, I try not to use the word "crapload" in the same sentence as "underwear" or "boxers". But that's every day, not just before shinsa or shiai.http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

Not superstition but my sensei gave me one of his shinai with his name written on.
I'll keep it for my next exam (If there's one, I broke my ankle...)

I see that Mashu likes to revive threads that are older than my pet brontosaurus.

Nothing wrong with reviving old threads really. In re-reading this thread the thing that actually caught my eye was the reference to Hiroyuki Tsukamoto Sensei. I didn't see anyone state what his age was when he reached hachidan. I was under the impression that he got it at age 46, but in trying to look it up I couldn't really track down any reliable sources. Does anyone else know for sure about this?

Superstitions? No.

Rituals? Yes ->

1. Not practicing the night before

2. check my shinai

3. get my large tsubas out (8 cm leather tsuba for practice, 9 cm plastic tsuba for shiai, because the sound is different when tsuba is struck)

4. get out the big shinai bag (my regular shinai bag only holds 2)

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

Some folks eat katsu-curry or katsu-don as dinner before as katsu is the kanji for "win".

Same problem here. Which reminds me that I really need to get it cut next week http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

Touch wood,
I have never needed to rely on superstitions to do well in gradings.http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/ermm.gif

I'm sure a lot of people pray... (ducking)

LOL

must spread rep... XD

No superstitions here, just listen to some music and warm up thoroughly.

Aw, the mighty forums don't want me to give you +rep.... http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

OK ok...I'll let you all in on a little secret. Only guys like Uchimura and Eiga know about this, it's been passed down from Musashi in a secret chapter of Gorin No Sho. Underwear!...you need to have a pair of "Lucky Undies". Mine are red and so far have been outstanding! I would never grade or compete without them and I always take them on long trips. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/smiley.gif

Well I wouldn't call it a superstition, but before every grading and shiai, I slaughter a baby unicorn.

oo no dont you know its bad luck to be Superstitious.

I've been told that one should wear white underwear for shiai because if you lose, you're already dressed properly for your burial... http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

Burying things........

white underwear.........


What are you trying to suggest Ms Elbers?http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...milies/eek.gifhttp://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

For some people, brown might be a better choice.