Greg Kowalski - Blackbelts in the 80s 

There's a saying that in America, anyone who reads a book is an expert.

I started in the 60s. What he says is all true. The Black Belt was only like HIgh School graduation level in Japan. Often took four years, then two years, then one year, then even less, then for kids, even very young kids. AND people take a few classes then create their own 'style', what a joke. In the late 1800s the most famous practitioner in Okinawa wrote that the art was becoming degraded, becoming a sport. Later, the Okinawans who taught Japanese (no, they are not the same) gave them a watered down version. All Asian stuff given to non Asians is watered down even more. Plus, folks learn movements, but never know what they really are or how to apply them. This applies to all Asian fighting systems.

Judo Chop!