Japan International Karate Do Federation
 

 

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Ranks, Belts, and Titles

There are 10 kyu (grades) before black belt.

 

After he or she signs up, the student will wear a white belt (provided with the uniform) signifying that the student is a beginner and does not yet hold a rank in karate.

 

Upon passing their first exam, the student earns a rank of 10th kyu, represented by a yellow belt.

 

One will progress upward in rank from 10th kyu to 9th kyu, and so on, through the beginning and intermediate ranks to 4th kyu. Each of these grades is represented by different belts.

 

The purpose of the belts is to provide the student with short-term goals that reinforce the long-term goal of earning black belt. This system also makes it easy for the instructors to know, at a glance, who should be learning what. It also makes it easy for students to spot potential partners for team drills.

 

The advanced kyu grades are represented by brown belts. The first, 3rd kyu brown belt, is a plain solid brown belt. At 2nd kyu, a patch is added at the end of the belt. A brown belt with two patches represents 1st kyu, the most advanced of the kyu grades.

 

After earning 1st kyu, the brown belt's next exam is for Shodan (shoh-dahn).

 

Belt System


White belt, no rank

 


Yellow belt, 10th kyu

 


Yellow Belt with black stripe, 9th kyu

 


Orange belt, 8th kyu

 


Orange belt with black stripe, 7th kyu

 


Purple belt, 6th kyu

 


Green belt, 5th kyu

 


Blue belt, 4th kyu

 


Brown belt, 3rd kyu

 


Brown belt (with one patch), 2nd kyu

 


Brown belt (with two patches), 1st kyu

 


Black Belt, Shodan

 

Advanced Ranks

Black belts awarded by JIKF are embroidered with the school name (in Japanese kanji) and the student's name (in katakana). These are worn day-to-day by all black belts in class, for either training or teaching, regardless of rank, so it's difficult for a lay person to tell their exact dan (level, or degree).

 

After Shodan (1st degree) and before Nidan (2nd degree) black belt, there are 6 kyu grades. There is no insignia to distinguish between these ranks, either.

 

Instructors may wear black hakama -- a traditional flowing pants garment which looks like a long skirt -- usually during formal functions like exams or tournaments. For instructors of Nidan or higher rank, the ka-mon "family crest" of JIKF's founder is embroidered into the hakama in a color representative of the wearer's degree/rank:

 


Nidan (2nd degree black belt) - purple

 


Sandan (3rd degree black belt) - green

 


Yodan (4th degree black belt) - blue

 


Godan (5th degree black belt) - brown

 


Rokudan (6th degree black belt) - red

 


Shichidan (7th degree black belt) - white

 

White hakama with black embroidery may also indicate Shihan (usually Shichidan, 7th degree). White hakama with gold embroidery is reserved for Soke (who is Hachidan, 8th degree).

Instructor Titles

These titles are earned based on the level of instructor. Do not confuse these with actual dan ranks.

 

Senpai: an assistant instructor, usually Shodan or Nidan

Sensei: instructor, adult, usually Nidan or higher rank

Shihan: instructor of instructors, usually Shichidan or higher rank

 

Other Titles

These titles are awarded based on other important roles in the organization or contributions to the art of Karate-do.

 

Dojocho: an organizational title, like "chairman", for someone in charge of all the dojo locations in a large area. The Dojocho can be addressed as either "Dojocho" or "Cho Sensei.”

Renshi: a title indicating advanced technical knowledge of one's art. Equivalent to a master's degree in the American education system. Must be Yodan or higher rank.

Hanshi: a title indicating expert technical knowledge in one's art. Equivalent to a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in the American education system, and those who are awarded this title, are often referred to as "professor.”  Must be Rokudan or higher rank. Those earning this title may wear a special belt at formal functions. The belt is made of alternating red and white panels.

 


Hanshi belt, Rokudan or higher rank

 

Soke: the founder of a "style,” large school or organization with its own program, methods, ranking system, and/or syllabus. Hirano Kiyohisa Soke is the founder of Japan International Karate Center (the organization) and Heiwa-do, the style of karate it teaches. He holds the rank of Kudan (9th degree).

 

 

 

 

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