Kodokan Martial Arts Belt System
In martial arts, a student’s progress is marked by a ranking system, measured through regular examinations. Before achieving a black belt, students progress through Kyu grades, which signify their level. The journey usually begins at the 9th Kyu (often represented by a white belt), though each martial art style may have unique colours and starting points for Kyu belts. For instance, a 5th Kyu student in Anshin Ryu Karate wears a red belt, while a 5th Kyu student in Matayoshi Kobudo (MKKI) wears a green belt. Due to these variations, Kyu grade—rather than belt colour—is the best indicator of a student’s rank.
After reaching black belt, students advance through Dan grades (meaning “rank” or “degree”), starting from 1st Dan and moving up to 2nd Dan, 3rd Dan, and beyond. This progression is often represented by stripes or circles on the belt. Higher Dan levels may also earn titles, such as Kaicho (Master of the Dojo), Soke (System Head), and Shihan (usually 5th Dan or higher).
Below, you’ll find the Kodokan Martial Arts belt system and the minimum time requirements for each rank. These intervals are based on students training twice per week; those attending only once weekly should expect to double the time between belt examinations.
Anshin Ryu Karate Belt System
- 9th Kyu (Ku Kyu) White Belt – novice new student
- 8th Kyu (Hachi Kyu) Yellow Belt – 3 months from last grade
- 7th Kyu (Nana Kyu or Shichi Kyu) Orange Belt – 3 months from the last grade
- 6th Kyu (Rok Kyu) Green Belt – 3 months from the last grade
- 5th Kyu (Go Kyu) Red Belt – 3 months from the last grade
- 4th Kyu (Yon Kyu) Blue Belt Black Stripe – 3 months from the last grade
- 3rd Kyu (San Kyu) Purple Belt Black Stripe – 6 months from the last grade
- 2nd Kyu (Ni Kyu) Red Belt Black Stripe – 6 months from the last grade
- 1st Kyu (Ik Kyu) Brown Belt Black Stripe – 6 months from last grade
- 1st Dan Junior (Shodan-Ho) Black Belt White Stripe – 1 year from last grade.
- 1st Dan (Shodan) Black Belt 1 stripe – Seniors – 1 year from last grade
- 2nd Dan (Nidan) Black Belt 2 stripes – 2 years from the last grade
- 3rd Dan (Sandan) Black Belt 3 stripes – 3 years from the last grade
- 4th Dan (Yondan) Black Belt 4 stripes – 4 years from the last grade
- 5th Dan (Godan) Black Belt 5 stripes – 5 years from the last grade
and so on.
Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan International
- 10th Kyu (Ju Kyu) White Belt – novice new student
- 9th Kyu (Ku Kyu) White Belt Black Stripe – 3 months from the last grade
- 8th Kyu (Hachi Kyu) White Belt 2 Black Stripes – 3 months from the last grade
- 7th Kyu (Nana Kyu or Shichi Kyu) Yellow Belt – 3 months from the last grade
- 6th Kyu (Rok Kyu) Yellow Belt Black Stripe – 3 months from the last grade
- 5th Kyu (Go Kyu) Green Belt – 3 months from the last grade
- 4th Kyu (Yon Kyu) Green Belt Black Stripe – 3 months from the last grade
- 3rd Kyu (San Kyu) Brown Belt – 3 months from the last grade
- 2nd Kyu (Ni Kyu) Brown Belt Black Stripe – 6 months from last grade
- 1st Kyu (Ik Kyu) Brown Belt 2 Black Stripes – 6 months from the last grade
- 1st Dan (Shodan) Black Belt 1 stripe – 6 months from the last grade
- 2nd Dan (Nidan) Black Belt 2 stripes – 2 years from the last grade
- 3rd Dan (Sandan) Black Belt 3 stripes – 3 years from the last grade