Belt System

Kodokan Martial Arts Belt Systems:

Nearly all martial arts have a system whereby a student can progress in their style. It is measured by examination at set intervals. Below the black belts are Kyu grades, meaning level, and normally starts at white belt, 9th Kyu (KuKyu). Each style will have its own coloured belts to recognise this but may differ from school to school. Thereby the best way to compare the level a student has attained is by their kyu grade, and not the colour of their belt. For example, a 5th Kyu student in Anshin Ryu Karate wears a Red Belt, while a student of Kamishin Ryu Karate wears a Blue Belt. Furthermore, some martial artists start at a lower kyu grade than others, i.e. perhaps at 6th kyu instead of 9th kyu.

However, once the student becomes a Black Belt the only difference is in their Dan (meaning Grade) level. They progress upwards, such as 1st Dan, 2nd Dan, 3rd Dan and so on. This can be identified normally by stripes across the end of their belt, or circles etc. Within this system titles are given, such as Kaicho (Master of the dojo), Soke (Master or founder of the system), and Shihan (5th Dan or higher); there are more of these titles and all are awarded.

Below are the belt systems for the schools of Kodokan Martial Arts and the minimum time a student needs to put in before attempting their next belt. The monthly time intervals are based upon a student training 2 lessons per week. If they are only doing 1 lesson per week then the monthly time is doubled.

Anshin Ryu Karate Belt System

  • 9th Kyu (Ku Kyu) White Belt – novice new student
  • 8th Kyu (Hachi Kyu) Yellow Belt – 3 month from last grade
  • 7th Kyu (Nana Kyu or Shichi Kyu) Orange Belt – 3 months from last grade
  • 6th Kyu (Rok Kyu) Green Belt – 3 months from last grade
  • 5th Kyu (Go Kyu) Red Belt – 3 months from last grade
  • 4th Kyu (Yon Kyu) Blue Belt Black Stripe – 3 months from last grade
  • 3rd Kyu (San Kyu) Purple Belt Black Stripe – 6 months from last grade
  • 2nd Kyu (Ni Kyu) Red Belt Black Stripe – 6 months from 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 last grade
  • 3rd Dan (Sandan) Black Belt 3 stripes – 3 years from last grade
  • 4th Dan (Yondan) Black Belt 4 stripes – 4 years from last grade
  • 5th Dan (Godan) Black Belt 5 stripes – 5 years from 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 month from the last grade
  • 8th Kyu (Hachi Kyu) White Belt Black Stripe – 3 month from last grade
  • 7th Kyu (Nana Kyu or Shichi Kyu) Yellow Belt – 3 months from last grade
  • 6th Kyu (Rok Kyu) Yellow Belt Black Stripe – 3 months from last grade
  • 5th Kyu (Go Kyu) Green Belt – 3 months from last grade
  • 4th Kyu (Yon Kyu) Green Belt Black Stripe – 3 months from last grade
  • 3rd Kyu (San Kyu) Brown Belt – 3 months from 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 last grade
  • 1st Dan (Shodan) Black Belt 1 stripe – 6 months from last grade
  • 2nd Dan (Nidan) Black Belt 2 stripes – 2 years from last grade
  • 3rd Dan (Sandan) Black Belt 3 stripes – 3 years from last grade