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Belt System

The belt colours and the corresponding Kyu (grades) are listed below.  The licence book contains the Kyu achieved.

Between each junior grade, there is a tip which is coloured tape placed on the end of the belt. For example an orange tip is indicated by a “T” in the licence in the 9th Kyu block. This is a white belt with an orange tape around the belt.  Orange belt follows the orange tip.  If no “T” is recorded in the licence then the full grade has been achieved.  If the students standard is very high for the grade, then the tip grade may be skipped at the discretion of the senior grading instructor.

Bow-in (start of the class)

In the Japanese culture places great emphasis on respect for one’s senior.

When the class commences, all students line up in order of seniority, facing the front (shomen). Students line up in one row (space permitting), from right to left, in order of rank. Within each rank, students also line up from right to left, in order of seniority.

The line should be centred behind the instructor.

After lining up, students kneel down together (seiza). After a brief period of meditation (mokusu), to clear the mind, everyone bows to the front (Shomen ni rei) and then to the instructor (sensei ni rei).

Bow-out (end of the class)

At the end of class, students line up and then assume seiza position. There is a brief period of relaxation. Then, students may recite the Dojo Kun a promise made after training). The principles set out in the dojo Kun are central to all Karate-Do training and are meant to apply inside and outside the Dojo

SEEK PERFECTION OF CHACRACTER
BE FAITHFUL (Loyalty)
ENDEAVOUR (Effort)
RESPECT OTHERS (Etiquette)
REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR (Control)
 
Again, everyone bows to the front and to the instructor stands first, then the black belt students and everyone stands, from right to left, in order of seniority.

Coloured Belts

The belt system for Shotokan karate was not always the same. Originally there were only two colours of belts-White and black. A student had to train whilst wearing a white belt they had fully acquired the knowledge and ability to move up in rank to black belt level. This would mean that someone who had been training for two years would often wear the same type of belt as an absolute novice.

The belt system was later modified by Master Masatoshi Nakayama, the late chief instructor to the JKA, to include a number of other colours making different ranks between novices and black belt, or Dan grade.

The main impetus for changing to the coloured belt system was probably so that the karateka could feel a sense of progress and achievement through their early training. The coloured belts offer short-term goals that suit those people who are looking for quick results. Most people aren’t “long sighted” enough to think of training for years as a white belt before the achievement of passing a grading and so these extra belts are a perfect way of filling the gap.

In most associations there are no distinguishing features of a belt to show the difference between a 1st Dan and a 10th Dan. Usually you can tell approximately how much experience a black belt might have because of the wear on the belt-A heavily worn black belt will look predominantly white.

...So you start with a white belt as a Novice and hopefully after a lot of hard work and perseverence, you end with a white belt as an expert

Instructor Rules

All instructors will:

  • Agree to abide by the Constitution and Rules of the ASK;
  • Be a member of a currently affiliated CSKC / ASK Association;
  • Foster and develop his/her interest in CSKC / ASK Shotokan Karate and train regularly;
  • Act in the true spirit of Shotokan Karate and abide by the principles laid down in theASK grading record book;
  • Instruct in Shotokan Karate so as to ensure correct development of Shotokan techniques, spirit, etiquette and standards;
  • Not use harsh discipline methods as far as possible make the training fun;
  • At all times project the good image of CSKC / ASK and Shotokan Karate;
  • Ensure that a high standards of dojo etiquette are explained and maintained;
  • Only instruct in ASK affiliated clubs, unless they have written permission from the Executive Committee;
  • Discourage abuses connected with karate;
  • Unite persons and clubs wishing to learn, practice and support Shotokan Karate.


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