Traditional Japanese Karate
The Path From White To Black.
Shotokan uses a progressive ranking system divided into Kyu ranks for students and Dan ranks for black belts — each belt a milestone in technique, character, and discipline.
10
Kyu Ranks
10+
Dan Levels
5
Heian Kata
∞
Years of Practice
Kyu
The Student Levels
Ten ranks counted in reverse — from 10th Kyu (white) climbing toward 1st Kyu (senior brown). Each grading tests kihon, kata, and kumite.
10th Kyu
01
Mukyū
White Belt
>> Basic stance (heisoku-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi).
>> Etiquette and dojo discipline.
>> Basic stance (heisoku-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi).
9th Kyu
02
Kukyu
Yellow
>> Basic blocks (age-uke, gedan-barai).
>> Straight punches and basic combinations.
>> Introduction to kihon kumite (basic partner drills).
08th Kyu
03
Hachikyū
Orange
>> Stronger stance control.
>> Basic kata: Heian Shodan.
>> Simple stepping combinations.
07th Kyu
04
Shichikyū
Green
>> Improved kihon (technique basics).
>> Kata: Heian Nidan.
>> Basic sparring (kihon kumite).
6th Kyu
05
Rokkyū
Blue
>> Advanced blocks and counters.
>> Kata: Heian Sandan.
>> Controlled kumite (distance + timing).
05th Kyu
06
Gokyū
Purple
Intermediate fighting skills.
>> Intermediate fighting skills
>> Kata: Heian Godan.
>> Free-style sparring introduction (jiyu kumite basics).
4th Kyu
07
Yonkyū
Brown 4
Intermediate fighting skills.
>> Intermediate fighting skills
>> Kata: Heian Godan.
>> Free-style sparring introduction (jiyu kumite basics).
03th Kyu
08
Sankyū
Brown Belt 3
>> Strong technical refinement.
>> Kata: Tekki Shodan.
>> Timing, distance control, strategy in kumite.
2th Kyu
09
Nikyū
Brown Belt 2
>> Advanced combinations
>> Kata: Bassai Dai
>> Strong sparring performance.
01th Kyu
10
Ikkyū
1st Kyu Full Brown
>> Near black-belt standard.
>> Kata: Kanku Dai.
>> Full controlled sparring ability.
>> Leadership and discipline expected.
Dan
The Black Belt
1st Dan
SHODAN
First Black Belt Level
A New Beginning
At Shodan, technique becomes second nature. The student demonstrates strong basics, reliable kata execution, and controlled kumite — and is now ready to truly begin learning karate.
KIHON
KATA
Confident execution