The ranking
system in Shotokan karate is broken into two divisions.
Black belts ranks are called dan (pronounced "don")
ranks and ranks below black belt are called kyu (pronounced "cue")
ranks:
Unranked - White Belt
Hachikyu - 8th Kyu - Yellow Belt
Shichikyu - 7th Kyu - Orange
Belt
Rokukyu - 6th Kyu - Green Belt
Gokyu - 5th Kyu - Purple Belt
Yonkyu - 4th Kyu - Purple Belt
Sankyu - 3rd Kyu - Brown Belt
Nikyu - 2nd Kyu - Brown Belt
Ikkyu - 1st Kyu - Brown Belt
Shodan - 1st Degree Black Belt
Nidan - 2nd DegreeBlack Belt
Sandan - 3rd Degree Black Belt
Yondan - 4th Degree Black Belt
Godan - 5th Degree Black Belt
Rokudan - 6th Degree Black Belt
Shichidan - 7th Degree Black Belt
Hachidan - 8th Degree Black Belt Kudan - 9th Degree Black Belt
Judan - 10th Degree Black Belt
|
Belt ranking exams are given on a
regular basis. After about three months of consistent
practice, a student is usually ready for the first
exam, which is the test for yellow belt (8th kyu).
If a student would like to continue testing every
three months, it is suggested that he or she train
about twice a week for the yellow and orange belt
exam, and three times per week for the green belt
through brown belt exams. Of course, if such a training
schedule is not possible, a student may continue
to test on a less frequent basis but will naturally
not progress as quickly.
To receive rank from the JKA/ISKF,
students must pay an exam fee and a fee for annual
individual ISKF membership. If you are enrolled at
the Dojo at Willowside Hall, then these fees are
included in your monthly membership fee. (SRJC students
pay a discounted rate; your instructor can explain
the procedure and fees for belt exams.) When a student
has been issued an ISKF membership card, it must
be updated for each exam to keep a current record
of the student's rank promotions.
|
