Ranking System

We practice both the arts of Karate and Aikido. As such we test separately in each, and hold rank separately in each.We use the Japanese language in the practice of both of our arts. The Japanese word for grade is kyu, and we have ten grades below black belt.

We also use a belt system where a different colored belt is associated with each kyu. The breakdown goes as follows:

White belt

Yellow belt with a white stripe

Yellow belt

Yellow belt with a green stripe

Green belt

Green belt with a black stripe

Purple belt

Purple belt with a black stripe

Brown belt

Brown belt with a black stripe

Brown belt with two black stripes

The eleventh rank at the bottom is candidate for black belt, and falls outside of the standard 10 grades. The word used to designate black belt rank is dan, and means degree. The highest dan rank attainable varies from style to style, but usually ranges from 5th dan to 9th dan.

In Aikido there are 6 grades below black belt, and unlike Karate, no rank of candidate. Also unlike Karate, there are no changes in belt color to accompany different kyu ranks. 6th kyu is the lowest kyu rank, and 1st kyu is the highest. In most styles of Aikido (including ours), one wears a white belt until one is a black belt. However, there are a few styles that use colored ranks below black belt. 9th dan is the highest rank attainable in Aikido.