Shotokan Karate Do Academy of New England

Ranking / Kyu

    When you first begin training. You are given the rank of white belt or 10th Kyu (pronounced 'Q'). From here the rankings achieved will count down to 1st Kyu. This is the brown belt just before Black Belt or Shodan. This rank (Black Belt/Shodan) could also be called 1st degree black belt.

    From here the ranking counts upwards From Shodan or 1st Degree to 10th Degree. You could also refer to these rankings as Dan's. 1st Dan to 10th Dan. Listed in numeric order; 1. Shodan 2.Nidan 3.Sandan 4.Yondan 5.Godan 6.Rokudan 7.Shichidan 8.Hachidan

    The highest attainable Dan as far as I know is generally 8th Dan. As for 9th and 10th Dan. Generally these are give as honorary rankings most often for great achievement or lifetime achievement. The only 9th dan I know of is Teruyuki Okazaki Chief Instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation. As for 10th Dan. To my knowledge this has been awarded only twice. Once to Gichin Funakoshi the founder of Shotokan karate. Once to Masatoshi Nakayama the Chief Instructor of the Japan Karate Association  1955-87. OK, How about thrice. Hirokazu Kanazawa, Kancho or Chief instructor of SKIF.

Just a little note on ranking systems...

    In the rooted past of many martial arts there really was no ranking system. You where either not so good and still learning, really good and still learning, older and wiser and still learning, or a fool and knew it all. The belt was what held your pants on, and kept your shirt tucked in.

    It's hard to say when ranking first was introduced into the martial arts. Most will say it was a system put in place to keep children interested in the particular discipline. Others claim it was a western approach to training as us westerners need a reward to showboat their accomplishment. Being a darn Yank myself, I can see how that might not be far from the truth.

    Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that earning a new belt or rank is like giving my dog a cookie when he rolls over. Far, far from it. A lot of hard work, mentally and physically went into every belt I've ever earned. Often a pint of blood and months worth anxiety as well. I personally feel I have earned the right to be proud of those accomplishments as others should theirs.

    At any rate I have yet to read as to how ranking came about in Shotokan Karate Do or any other Martial art from any liable source. Should a reader have this information in print, please direct me to the source. I am more than interested in this subject. john@shokarate.org I welcome your input.

Belt Colors. How they came to be what they are.

    This was a story once told to me. Chose to believe it or not. I will pass it along all the same as no more than a 'Tale told me, I'll now tell you.'

    All belts started out white as dye was expensive and unless for show a unnecessary waist of time. As one went through their life and aged the belt of course would age with them. Being a part of daily attire.

    Presumably as the person aged they would become wiser and more experienced. Their belt of course becoming stained would darken as the years past. The harder that person worked the quicker the belt would darken. The belt would progressively get darker until it was black. As a white belt is commonly associated with a beginner or one less experienced as is a black belt associated with one who has more wisdom and experience.

    On a side note. It is also kind of a urban legend that if you wash your belt you will wash the knowledge out of it. I've met a few in the past who I think might have thought that about their Gi and Sparring gear too. LoL