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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
Advanced Ranks
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:
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.
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 |
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