KARATE-DO – UNDER BELT LEVELS (KYU)
Members shall observe the following ranks before achieving Black Belt level. Each kyu is represented by a belt color; thus denoting the student’s advancement.
Mukyu (Shoshinsha)/10th level….White belt/first 10 weeks
Kyukyu or 9th level…….White belt/yellow stripe/10 weeks
Hachikyu or 8th level…….White belt/black stripe 15 weeks
Nanakyu or 7th level…….Yellow belt/black stripe/15 weeks
Rohkkyu or 6th level…..Orange belt/black stripe/15 weeks
Gohkyu or 5th level…….Green belt/black stripe/15 weeks
Yonkyu or 4th level……….Blue belt/black stripe/15 weeks
Sankyu or 3rd level……..Purple belt/black stripe/15 weeks
Nikyu or 2nd level…………Red belt/black stripe/15 weeks
Ikkyu or 1st level * …….Brown belt/black stripe/15 weeks
PHASING** – Black belt/white stripe/ 3 to 5 months
** Phasing is the time period prior testing for black belt apprentice during which study, experimentation and research of all kyu (levels) takes place.
Remember that once wearing the actual black belt, you will undergo a one year trial period called Shodan-Ho; at this end of this time period you would have learned all black belt patterns, received your diploma and tested for official Shodan certification. At this time you will continue your training by moving on to learning the Nidan patterns.
KARATE-DO EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT:
- Gi – Classical Okinawa style martial arts uniform
- Dojo T-shirt
- Boxing Gloves (9th Kyu) & Sparring gear (8th Kyu)
- Hachimaki – Head band
- Bo – Long staff (7th Kyu)
- Tonfa, Sai, Kama, Knife, Nunchaku
- Oar
KARATE-DO BLACK BELT LEVELS – DAN
Junior/Adult Shodan
Shodan……….…Black Belt 1st. degree after 1 year training
Nidan………………….……………Black Belt 2nd. degree
Sandan (Sensei)………………………Black Belt 3rd. degree
Yondan (Renshi)……Black Belt 4th. degree (Young Master)
Godan (Kyoshi)…………….Black Belt 5th. degree (Master)
Rohkudan (Kyoshi)…………Black Belt 6th. degree (Master)
Nanadan (Shihan)..Black Belt 7th. deg. (Master- Teacher)
Hachidan (Shihan)..Black Belt 8th. degree (Master -Teacher)
Kudan (Hanshi)…..Black Belt 9th. degree (Master -Teacher)
Judan (O’Sensei)…….Black Belt 10th. degree (Head Master)
Soke………………………Grand Master – Head of Family
Kancho………………….Head Grand Master or President
All ranking is a measure of the student’s progress towards Black Belt Excellence. These are awarded according to individual character, skills and level of understanding of our art and not on length of time.
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