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.
Belt System
Belt Color
Grade/Rank
Rank Description
Min. Training
Junior Belts
White Belt with 1 Orange Stripe
Beginner
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
Black Belt
Shichidan
7th Degree Black Belt
Black Belt
Hachidan
8th Degree Black Belt
Black Belt
Kudan
9th Degree Black Belt
Black Belt
Judan
10th Degree Black Belt
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
This site runs on JavaScript.
Search
News
08/04/2006 - SSK now has an Interactive Online Forum for both our Online Visitors and SSK Students. Click here to visit
Training in Shotokan Karate not only enhances the physical abilities of a growing child, but also benefits him/her both Mentally and Spiritually. Children regularly practicing Shotokan Karate are able to excel in almost all the fields of life as they have more Concentration, Self-Confidence, Body Control, Strength, Balance, Ability to bear Stress and above all, they are more Active & Disciplined than others. So if you are interested in providing training, in Authentic Shotokan Karate for the "All-Round Development" of your school students then we have Qualified Instructors for you.
If you own a Gym, Fitness or Heath Club and are interested in providing Authentic Karate And/Or Taichi Training for your Elite members then we have Qualified Instructors for you.
Please feel free to Contact Us for more Information on any of the above Special Training Programs.
Please Note : All our programs are currently available for residents of South Delhi and Gurgaon (India) Only.
CAUTION !!! : Please Beware of Frauds claiming to be a Member of, or Affiliated to, the School of Shotokan Karate-Do
