How to Identify Karate Belts

The very first martial arts to introduce the colored belt ranking system as a visible indication of the students progress was Japanese Judo. The colored belt ranking system was first used by Sensei Gichin Funakoshi for his Karate school at Shotakan Karate.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Karate School
• Ambition
• Determination
• Respect
• Discipline
• Money~~

1. Assortment of belts As the students take the exams they are awarded the different colored belts, or Obe, depending on their rank passed.
2. Colored Belt Ranking The ranking/number system or Kyu (color and rank), starts with 10 and ends with 1. Beginners are considered a 10th Kyu, which is a white belt.
3. Ranking, Ranking, Ranking Years ago, the white belt was dyed to a new color once a new ranking was achieved. The standard color system is white, yellow, green, brown, and black. Although, some schools place colors and ranking in order of white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black. Black always being the highest. Black Belts then can increase from 1st Dan to 10th Dan.
4. White Karate Belt Stage 1: Rank 9th Kyu is White Belt 1 Black Bar. The Kata requirement is Gekisai Dai Ichi. Rank 8th Kyu is White Belt 2 Black Bars. The Kata requirement is Gekisai Dai Ichi plus Bunkai.
5. Yellow Karate Belt Stage 2: Rank 7th Kyu is Yellow Belt. The Kata requirement is Gekisai Dai Ni. Rank 6th Kyu is Yellow Belt 1 Black Bar. The Kata requirement is Gekisai Dai Ni plus Bunkai.
6. Green Karate Belt Stage 3: Rank 5th Kyu is Green Belt. The Kata requirement is Saifa and Sanchin. Plus Bunkai for 4th Rank Kyu with Green Belt 1 Black Bar.
7. Brown Karate Belt Stage 4: Rank 3rd Kyu is Brown Belt. The Kata requirement is Seiyunchin
8. Belts with Black Bar Stage 5: Rank 2nd Kyu is Brown Belt 1 Black Bar. The Kata requirement is Seiyunchin plus Bunkai.
9. 2 Black Bars Stage 6: Rank 1st Kyu is Brown Belt 2 Black Bars. The Kata requirement is Shisochin.
10. Black Belt Stage 7: Rank 1st Dan is Black Belt. The Kata requirement is Shisochin.
11. Blue Belt There is also a red, blue, orange, and purple. Their placement in ranking is completely dependent upon the individual school.

Tips & Warnings

• Karate is Great for self-esteem
• Wonderful confidence builder
• If your child is getting PICKED on at school - let him take Karate