Craig L. Brooks sr Hanshi of the Budokan America and founder of American Goju-Kempo

 

Martial Arts Ranking

 

Most, but not all martial arts systems from Japan, Okinawa and Korea have a belt ranking system. In American Goju-Kempo the ranking is from beginner (10^th Kyu) to Grand Master (8^th Dan). In the Mudansha (non Black Belt) levels there are 10 levels and three color belts. 10^th Kyu is a plain white belt. 9^th Kyu is a white belt with a single green stripe on the tip; 8^th Kyu two green stripes. and 7^th has three green stripes.

6^th Kyu is a green belt with one brown stripe; 5^th Kyu two brown stripes and 4^th KYu has three brown stripes. The Brown belt ranks are similar to the green except the belt is brown and the stripes are black. Belt rankings are not easily earned. The individualÕs skill and how long and how intensely they train is what helps to determine whether or not a belt is awarded. The student must also possess non-physical knowledge and skills.

Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, invented the kyu/dan system used in most martial arts systems. In 1883 he awarded two of his senior students (Saito & Tomita) the rank of shodan. There was no distinction at this time between the yudansha (dan level ranks) and the mudansha ( the non dan level ranks). Some three years later Kano sensei began the custom of having his yudansha wear black obis. These obis were wider than the belts of todayÕs budoka, and the keikogi had not yet been invented. In 1907 Kano introduced the modern gi and belt. However at this time the black and white belts were still the only belts in use.

In 1924 Gichin Funokoshi adopted the kyu/dan system in his effort to encourage the acceptance of karate by the Japanese. If you look at pictures of Okinawan karateka in the early part of this century even up tp WWII you will see that they trained in street clothes or in their underwear.

MUDANSHA:

Mudansha is a the Japanese word used to describe a beginner or Kyu rank in the ÒDoÓ of the martial arts. That is Karate-ÒdoÓ, Ju-ÒDoÓ ,Ken-Òdo etc. etc. Throughout the martial arts there exist several ,Kyu systems with differing color belt systems in the Kyu stage. Initially there was only white belt in the Mudansha grades. It was later divided into white and brown. Now each Kyu has its own color in some systems.

The Kyu system in American Goju-Kempo consists of 10 stages descending from 10^th Kyu to 1^st Kyu. There is a partitioning in our Kyu system of Lower Level Middle Level and Upper Level.

Lower Level

The lower level stage (10^th-7^th Kyu) lasts approximately one year. At this level the student, under the supervision of a Sempai (senior student or assistant instructor) learns and practices the very basic techniques of the system. At this stage there is very little difference in the empty hand styles. At this lover level the student is also impressed with such values as devotion to training , self discipline and strong will. This lower level stage is the bed rock of the foundation of all that follows.

Middle Level

The middle level Kyu grades are the green belt ranks which last 1 1/2 - 2 years training under a full instructor (2^nd dan) The student increases his / her ability to execute the fundamental techniques of the system. Playing in the background of this physical training is a training of the spirit. This training and the self expression that results from it are monitored by the instructor. The student is pushed to execute his/her techniques with more precision and focus. His mental training becomes more intense. Thes are the rocks on which many students founder.

The Upper Level

The Upper Level of the Kyu grades are the brown belt levels. It is at this stage the student starts putting together all that he has learned in the past 2-3years. This stage will last another 2-3 years. The ability to communicate with the instructor and the other students becomes critical. Now the student mus learn to deal with the psychological ups and down of martial arts training. If he/she founders on the rocks he must learn to extricate himself, put it behind him and push on with his training, All classical syems have these psychological hurdles built into them in the upper level.

YOU ARE BEING TESTED!

The Kyu stage in most Budo (Martial Ways) is a test. Time is used as a working filter. The beginner is introduced to the behavioral rules of the system. The student must obey these rules it is part of the ÒDoÓ(the Way) In the classical Do the teacher is in the background of this training. He looks at and studies the potential of the student. This potential must be free in its own right and develop those abilities to overcome obstacles, self-discipline, modesty and more. No interference from the instructor takes place as it concerns the fundamental thinking of the student. The students true attitude must be allowed to become visible.

The right beginnerÕs spirit is the cornerstone to building and understanding the combat art. And the Kyu stages it takes to reach that spirit. The white karate gi is a symbol of the purity of the beginnerÕs spirit. It is pure, simple and empty. Many students want to circumvent the beginner spirit. If you would reach yudansha (black belt level) attaining the beginner spirit is an essential internal condition.

 

 

Yudansha : Black Belt Ranks

 

Yudansha are those who are black belt. The Yudansha covers the gradations of the Shodan. to and including Yondan.

 

Omote

Reaching the first Black belt (Shodan) should not be confused with the attaining of Mastery of the combat art. Shodan indicates that the pupil has mastered the technical basics of the art and its internal potential up to that extent. Here the binning of the Way. "Karate begins only, where the technology stops".

 

The technical range of this stage Omote . It extends over 1. and 2. Dan and designates a perfecting of the form (techniques).

 

Okuden

 

Okuden ("secret teachings") designates the 3. Dan and refers to the understanding of the internal style principles. One also calls these the "internal secrets of the combat art" (Gokuhi ), which only few pupils are taught. It is a stage of the exercise, in which with more technically ripe techniques connect themselves to mentally ripe techniques. Here the Kihon (AI = energy, hone = basis) becomes the science. Okuden does not live from the form routine, with which in the match results of achievement are aimed at. The progress in the Budo results here only from the committment to the  art, from which the ability can arise to  one. Imitators cannot reach this stage.

 

The strongest challenge of the pupil on this stage exists in the realistic estimate of the situation and in the eternal fight for the right attitude (  Shisei ). Within the technical range the form changes fundamentally. Everything which it does, must be focused and correctly done. In relation to each small action he must develop a right and responsible  attitude, regard and from them learn its errors critically.

 

Kaiden

 

 

Kaiden in the combat arts is an expert, who is near the conditions of the teacher (Sensei). It designates the stage 4. Dan, the preliminary stage to the teacher.

 

 

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