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Shotokan Karate follows the Belt System to
Grade and Rank a Karateka.
School of Shotokan Karate-Do awards a grade
to a karateka only after clearing a test
with above average performance under the
strict vigilance of S.S.K. Board of
Directors and Senior S.S.K. Members (thus
increasing the validity of the conducted
tests). The required standards that a
karateka must attain to be awarded a certain
grade is specified by the S.S.K. Board of
Directors and is based on international
standards.
Each grade obtained by a karateka is
represented by the color of the belt awarded
to him. One has to clear nine Kyu (grades)
in order to be able to be worthy for a Black
Belt test.
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Belt System |
| Belt Color |
Grade/Rank |
Rank Description |
Min. Training |
Junior Belts |
| White Belt with 1 Orange Stripe |
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Beginner |
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| White Belt |
KuKyu |
9th Kyu |
3 months |
| Yellow Belt |
HatchiKyu |
8th Kyu |
3 months |
| Orange Belt |
NanaKyu |
7th Kyu |
6 months |
| Green Belt |
RokKyu |
6th Kyu |
9 months |
| Purple Belt |
GoKyu |
5thKyu |
12 months |
| Blue Belt |
YonKyu |
4th Kyu |
15 months |
| Brown Belt with 3 White stripes |
SanKyu |
Third Degree Brown Belt |
18 months |
| Brown Belt with 2 White stripes |
NiKyu |
Second Degree Brown Belt |
24 months |
| Brown Belt with 1 White
stripe |
IkKyu |
First Degree Brown Belt |
27 months |
| Senior Belts |
| Black Belt |
Shodan |
1st Degree Black Belt |
36 months |
| Black Belt |
Nidan |
2nd Degree Black Belt |
1 yr after Shodan |
| Black Belt |
Sandan |
3rd Degree Black Belt |
2 yrs after Nidan |
| Black Belt |
Yondan |
4th Degree Black Belt |
3 yrs after Sandan |
| Black Belt |
Godan |
5th Degree Black Belt |
3yrs after Yondan |
| Black Belt |
Rokudan |
6th Degree Black Belt |
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| Black Belt |
Shichidan |
7th Degree Black Belt |
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| Black Belt |
Hachidan |
8th Degree Black Belt |
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| Black Belt |
Kudan |
9th Degree Black Belt |
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| Black Belt |
Judan |
10th Degree Black Belt |
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The Grading System also involves the use of
Honorary Titles along with Belts and Ranks.
There are Titles
that sometimes go hand in hand with the
Rank but are not necessarily given at
any specific Rank. Rank and Title are two
separate items and should be treated as
such. Just because a person attains the Rank
of black belt (Shodan), it does not
necessarily make him a good teacher.
Generally, titles are related to teaching
status.
Please Note different styles of karate use
different Titles. |
Titles |
| Title |
Status |
Credentials or
Min. Belt & Rank |
| Senpai |
Senior and/or Teacher's Assistant |
Shodan, Nidan & Sandan, Black Belt, Those senior to yourself |
| Sensei |
Teacher or instructor (A qualified black belt teacher) |
Sandan |
| Shihan |
Master, Teacher of Teachers, Professor-Senior Master |
6th Dan or Higher |
| Kancho |
Highest Instructor of specific Ryu Ha or Kai Ha |
10th Dan |
| Meijin |
Grandmaster, Gichin Funakoshi |
Founder |
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| CAUTION !!! : Please Beware of Frauds claiming to be a Member of, or Affiliated to, the School of Shotokan Karate-Do |
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