Colorful banner for Shorinyu Karate with Japanese symbols, a red torii gate, a map of Japan, waves, flowers, and clouds.
White martial arts belt tied in a knot.

White Belt (10th Kyu)

Kihongata Ichi
Kihongata Ni

Green martial arts belt with black embroidery and a knot in the middle.

Green Belt (6th Kyu)

Pinan Nidan
Wansu

Black Belt Grades

Black martial arts belt with yellow embroidered text that reads "Shodan" on one end and Japanese kanji characters on the other end, tied in a knot.

Shodan

Passai Dai
Seisan

Average Time In Grade
1.5 - 2 Years

A black martial arts belt with the name 'Godan' embroidered in gold on one end and three Asian characters embroidered in gold on the other end.

Godan

Should show a higher level of understanding & mastery. Highly encouraged to be at least helping with the teaching responsibilities in the dojo.

Average Time In Grade
4 - 5 Years

Black martial arts belt with orange embroidery reading 'Kyudanan' and Japanese characters.

Kyudan

Should show a extremely high level of understanding & mastery. Must be at least helping with the teaching responsibilities in the dojo. Candidate should have trained people from white belt - 5th Dan

Average Time In Grade
8 - 9 Years

Should Have Accumulated
40 Years Of Training & A Recognized Body Of Work

Yellow martial arts belt with black embroidery that says 'ghnKyU' tied in a knot.

Yellow Belt (9th Kyu)

Kihongata Ichi
Kihongata Ni

Blue martial arts belt tied in a knot with a black label reading '5thkyu'.

Blue Belt (5th Kyu)

Naihanchi Shodan
Pinan Sandan

Brown martial arts or judo belt with black embroidered text reading '2ndKyu' tied in a knot.

Brown Belt (2nd Kyu)

Passai Sho

Orange martial arts belt tied in a knot, with black embroidered text reading "8th Kyu".

Orange Belt (8th Kyu)

Kihongata San
Fukyugata Ichi

A purple martial arts belt with black embroidery that says '4th Kyu'.
Brown martial arts belt tied in a knot, with the text '2nd kyu' embroidered on the end.

Brown Belt (1st Kyu)

Naihanchi Sandan

A black karate belt with yellow embroidered text that says 'Nidan' and Japanese characters.

Nidan

Chinto
Kusanku Sho

Average Time In Grade
2 - 3 Years

A black martial arts belt with yellow embroidery reading "Rokudan" and Japanese characters.

Rokudan

Should show a higher level of understanding & mastery. Highly encouraged to be at least helping with the teaching responsibilities in the dojo.

Average Time In Grade
5 - 6 Years

Purple Belt (4th Kyu)

Pinan Yondan
Naihanchi Nidan

A black martial arts belt with embroidered yellow text reading 'Sandan' and Japanese characters.

Sandan

Kusanku Dai
Jion

Average Time In Grade
3 - 4 Years

A black martial arts belt with orange embroidered text on one end reading 'Nanadan' and orange embroidered Asian characters on the other end.

Nanadan

Should show a high level of understanding & mastery. Must be at least helping with the teaching responsibilities in the dojo. Candidate should have trained people from white belt - 1st Dan

Average Time In Grade
6 - 7 Years

Should Have Accumulated
28-30 Years Of Training

A black martial arts belt with the name 'Judan' embroidered in orange on one end and Chinese characters embroidered in orange on the other end.

Judan

Should show a extremely high level of understanding & mastery. Must be at least helping with the teaching responsibilities in the dojo. Candidate should have trained people from white belt - 7th Dan. Also should be the head of their own organization or at least an high ranking officer in the organization.

Should Have Accumulated
A Lifetime Of Study & A Recognized Body Of Work

Kyu Grades

Green martial arts belt with black embroidered text reading 'Zhin Kyu' tied in a knot, on a black background.

Green Belt (7th Kyu)

Fukyugata Ni
Pinan Shodan

Brown martial arts belt with black embroidered text '3rd Kyu' tied in a knot.

Brown Belt (3rd Kyu)

Pinan Godan

A martial arts belt with black, white, and yellow embroidery. The belt has the words '.Jun Dan' in English and Chinese characters embroidered in yellow.

Jun Dan (Probationary Black Belt)

All Requirements For Shodan Are Required But The Canidate Is Not 16 Years Old

Black martial arts belt with orange embroidered text reading "Yondan" and Japanese characters.

Yondan

Gojushiho

Average Time In Grade
4 - 5 Years

Black martial arts belt with yellow embroidered text that reads 'Hachidan' and Japanese characters.

Hachidan

Should show a high level of understanding & mastery. Must be at least helping with the teaching responsibilities in the dojo. Candidate should have trained people from white belt - 3rd Dan

Average Time In Grade
7 - 8 Years

Should Have Accumulated
32 - 35 Years Of Training