GRADING
 I
take this opportunity to welcome you to this important
section on our belt ranking system.
In the Don Jitsu Ryu we make every effort to maintain the
integrity of the original belt ranking system for students
and Instructors. Belt ranking system and ability work hand
in hand. However, for most martial arts business owners, the
discussion of money and rank comes before the level of skills
and knowledge. Skills and knowledge must be the most important
and interesting topic of the Martial Artist.
That’s why the authentic martial arts business person
should market well to expose the truth to the innocent and
uninformed public; the crooks are doing the best marketing
and are doing well for themselves financially.
 Long
ago the question of interest was “How hard am I expected
to TRAIN and STUDY to receive the prestigious Black Belt skills
and knowledge?” These days, shortcuts, fabrications,
martial arts piracy, collection of money and issuing of high
ranks under false pretence sometimes take precedence over
quality in most schools. No student could receive a correspondent course
(via CD, Video, or over the internet) and a Belt ranking Certification
without appropriate hands-on training from an imminently qualified
and certified Sensei.
Following is a chart showing the average training time
it would take to achieve a belt in an authentic system.
|
Kyu Obi |
Novice or Boy White Belt |
0 to 3 Months Training |
|
Jukyu, |
10th Class White Belt |
1 to 3 Months Training |
|
Kukyu |
9th Class Yellow Belt |
3 to 6 Months Training |
|
Hachikyu |
8 Class Orange Belt |
6 to 9 Months Training |
|
Nankyu |
7 Class Green Belt |
9 to 12 Months Training |
|
Rokukyu |
6 Class Blue Belt |
12 to 15 Months Training |
|
Gokyu |
5 Class Purple Belt |
15 to 18 Months Training |
|
Yonkyu |
4 Class Red Belt |
18 to 21 Months Training |
|
Sankyu |
3 Class Brown Belt |
21 to 24 Months Training |
|
Nikyu |
2 Class Brown Belt |
24 to 27 Months Training |
|
Ikkyu |
1 Class Brown Belt |
27 to 30 Months Training |
People
have a misconception of what a Martial Arts rank is. The majority
of people think all Black Belts are Masters of their particular
martial arts, but in reality, this is not true! The majority
of people think that all Black Belts are qualified to teach
others. This is also a misconception.
Many people mistakenly call all Black Belts “Sensei”
- this is incorrect. Many people believe if someone is a Black
Belt in one Ryu (style), he is automatically a Black Belt
in many other styles. This too is not true.
Every time someone wants to change styles they should start
as a White Belt and work their way to the Black Belt level,
putting in the time in that new Ryu (style). Most students
like to keep their black belt from their original style, but
not the patch of the original style.
|
