Sah Bum Nim or Sensei?

Question

Alright, I'm a 4th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and I recently received my 4th degree in Shorin Ryu. I work at a martial arts school where two masters of the two arts have come together to work together in one building with the two federations under one roof. It's pretty much two schools that coexist. I work for both masters and have a different uniform (white and black) and different belt (black w/ red stripe and black & red/white) for each style respectively. Now the question, we have a tournament coming up. The 6th degree black belts from both schools wear suits...the lower belts in both schools (to 3rd dan) wear solid black belts. I am essentially the only black belt who has a problem. Both schools will be at the tournament and other schools in each federation will also be there. I do not know which belt to wear and both masters have told me that they do not care which belt I wear. So, which belt should I wear as to not disrepect anyone?

Answer 1

Forgive my confusion, but how do you get to serving two masters?  That would create a conflict of interest.  It almost has biblical resonance, lol.  However, if they have given you the freedom of choosing, then I would go with the belt of the school you first learned in.

Answer 2

wear bioth or dont wear any or wear a standard black for respect or like wear part of each uniform if possible

oh u no wat learn to stich an make a custom belt with each o the color like 50/50

Answer 3

Wear a suit. They may tell you they don't care but they could be hurt by you choosing the other. A suit in your case would not be disrespectful to the Roku Dan as you are being formal and showing respect to both schools in that manner.

I would ask both instructors though just to be sure, and if they insist against the suit, go with the school you've been with the longest.

Answer 4

Sweet aint tang soo doo from mortal kombat or something?

Answer 5

Wear them both - one beneath the other so that when in motion, the two belts intertwine and flow as one. It is not only an honorable way to represent both of your houses of thought and technique, but also an apt symbolism as to how both of your masters feel about working together and coexisting as one. As far as uniform, wear a traditional white. This will honor the roots of both arts as well, as both styles originally trained in white gi.

While I do agree that having two masters may be a source of contention at some point, I feel this would be the best and most honorable way to handle the situation.