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Rank Requirements | ||||||
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Download OKA's Rank Requirements here:
CLICK HERE FOR TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUTH CLASSES:
CLICK HERE FOR TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ADULT CLASSES:
OKA's Adult Ranking System
The ranking system for modern Japanese budo (martial arts) is called the kyu/dan system. Kyu ranks are informal gradings which are symbolized by a series of colored belts. The purpose of kyu ranks is to define the stages of training from beginner up to black belt. Various schools and styles use particular color sequences according to their own dojo traditions. Holders of dan ranks are called yudansha and wear the black belt. These students are officially certified and licensed as a member of the particular ryu (tradition or style).
Kyu Ranks & Colored Belts
The nyumonsha (beginner student) wears the shiro no obi (white belt). We call this first rank ku-kyu (grade 9).
The orenji no obi (orange belt) represents hachi-kyu (grade level 8). The kiiro no obi (yellow belt) represents nana-kyu (grade level 7). The ao no obi (blue belt) represents ro-kyu (grade level 6). The midori no obi (green belt) represents go-kyu (grade level 5). The murasaki no obi (purple belt) represents yon-kyu (grade level 4). The cha no obi (brown belt) represents san-kyu (grade level 3). The brown belt with an inward-facing black stripe represents ni-kyu (grade level 2).
The brown belt with the black stripe facing outward represents ik-kyu (grade level 1).
Junior Colored Belts
For students under age sixteen, each colored belt listed above is divided into three levels. For example, you might see a white belt with an orange stripe through it, an orange belt with a white stripe, and a solid orange belt. Not all students will wear all three levels - in fact many will wear only the solid belts - but this arrangement allows us to break the curriculum down into small parts to accommodate the learning pace of each individual student.
Junior Black Belts
Students must reach the age of sixteen to hold dan (certified black belt) ranking. Advanced students under age sixteen progress through a series of junior black belts. Each level of junior black belt is designated by a black belt with a colored stripe through it. The colors of the stripes correspond with the colored belts; white, orange, yellow, blue, green. purple, and brown.
Shodan-Ho - Probationary Black Belt
For adult students (age sixteen and older) the plain kuro no obi (black belt), with no embroidery, represents the rank of shodan-ho (probationary black belt). A one year period at shodan-ho is standard for all adult students.
Yudansha - Holder of Certified Black Belt Ranking
The black belt of the yudansha (holder of certified black belt rank) is embroidered in gold with the student's name and the name of the ryu (style). In theory, there are ten levels of black belt in Okinawan karate. At OKA, the first five levels are based on technical requirements, while the higher levels are honorary, based on time in rank and overall contribution to the school and the art.
Shodan - First Degree Black Belt
Teaching Titles
In addition to black belt ranking, there are three levels of certified instructors. Teaching ranks are based primarily on contribution to the art over time. These ranks are represented by red and white belts.
Shihan ranking (sometimes called Renshi) indicates a licensed instructor, generally 4th dan or higher. Shihan ranking may be represented by a red & white striped belt. It should be noted that there is no single governing body which certifies rank or title in the martial arts. Whatever standards are followed are simply those of the individual teacher, school, or organization. An incredible range of variation can be found in the world of martial arts, from self-promoted charlatans advertising themselves as grandmasters, to some of the greatest masters in the world who give no thought whatsoever to rank or title.
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