institutionalization

I notice the young bucks are making a fuss over an Isshinryu uniform patch. When I trained with Tatsuo Shimabuku on Okinawa in 1959-60, there was no patch. In fact, we worked out in plain gi's and often wore only the gi pants. We cared nothing about rank and uniforms, only learning the art.

It's like all religions. First comes a teacher and a bunch of folk following his teaching. Later comes an institution with symbols, ritual, and sacred history.