Grades/Ranks

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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