Grading System
In Karate, there are 10 Kyu grades - which are below the black belt (Mudansha) and 10 Black Belt grades (Yadansha) . At Ken Yu Kai, the kyu grades are categorised by belts in three colours, namely white, orange and brown. Each rank within a colour is indicated by the number of white stripes on one end of the belt.
| White Belt |
Ju-kyu |
- |
Tenth Grade |
| Kyu-kyu |
- |
Ninth Grade |
| Orange Belt |
|
| Hachi-kyu |
- |
Eight Grade (3 stripes) |
| Shichi-kyu |
- |
Seventh Grade (2 stripes) |
| Rok-kyu |
- |
Sixth Grade (1 stripe) |
| Go-kyu |
- |
Fifth Grade |
| Brown Belt |
|
| Yon-kyu |
- |
Fourth Grade (3 stripes) |
| San-kyu |
- |
Third Grade (2 stripes) |
| Ni-kyu |
- |
Second Grade (1 stripe) |
| Ik-kyu |
- |
First Grade |
| Black Belt |
|
| Sho-dan |
- |
First Degree |
| Ni-dan |
- |
Second Degree |
| San-dan |
- |
Third Degree |
| Yon-dan |
- |
Fourth Degree |
| Go-dan |
- |
Fifth Degree |
| Roku-dan |
- |
Sixth Degree |
| Shichi-dan |
- |
Seventh Degree |
| Hachi-dan |
- |
Eighth Degree |
| Kyu-dan |
- |
Ninth Degree |
| Ju-dan |
- |
Tenth Degree |
The terminology 'Dan' is a category of rank in Japanese, Okinawan and Korean Martial Arts that classifies levels within martial artists who wears the black belt.
'Shihan' is a title awarded to Karate Practitioners with a Fifth degree black belt or above for merit or accomplishment in the art.
