White Belt Karate

When it comes to karate belts, in reality there is no specific order. It is not until we look at specific karate art forms that we find belt ranking levels associated with specific colors.

However, the white belt or in some cases no belt is considered beginner or novice. During the white belt phase, you can expect to learn the basics of karate.

As you will discover, however, in some disciplines the white belt phase can last quite a long time and generally speaking can still mean that the student is competent.

Note: Some schools consider the white rank an unranked beginner

But let's dig a bit deeper on what you might expect to find across a wide range of karate programs.

Starting off with the three Japanese Karate organizations, let's look at the history of the martial art. Traditional Japanese karate did not have a belt system. They first just used white and black belts for students and teachers.

However, the brown Obi (Japanese for Karate Belt pronounced O-bee) - brown was intoduced later between white belt and black belt, as the need presented itself. Today, it is quite different, and I'll go over the general progression colors in just a bit.

In some schools, this is still very common.

What You Should Know About Karate Belts and Correlating Rankings

It's essential to understand that Kyu level is the Japanese term for "grade" or "level" and is widely used in the Karate ranking system to measure students. Kyu is the rank for anyone that has not achieved a black belt.

After students studying karate reach black belt, they reach the Dan level. The ranking system calls each grade, level, phase or stage during black belt training "Dan."

The Kyu ranking system counts down (often 10 - 1) towards a black belt and then the Dan rank count up (often 1-10) after a first degree black belt to a tenth degree black belt.

I like to think of Kyu as "Level" and Dan as "Stage." The Dan stage signifies black belt progression and black belt degrees of mastery.

Maybe it's helpful to think of it like a rocket with a countdown phase, and then lift off phase.

History of the Colored Belt System

Historically, all belt systems appear to come from Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo in 1882. 1883 he awarded 2 students black belts. Over time, Judo developed six Kyu rankings which created a need for more colors.

He added:

• Light blue belt (beginner)
• White belt (2 levels)
• Brown belt (3 levels)
• Black belt (final level)
• However, because of the redundancy, and the widespread use of belts, currently Judo often uses:
• White belt
• Yellow belt
• Green belt
• Blue belt
• Purple belts
• Brown belt
• Black belt

 

Shotokan Karate Belt System (Gichin Funakoshi) Martial Arts Belts

 

Level 1	White belt symbolizes beginner level
Level 2	Yellow belt
Level 3	Orange belt
Level 4	Blue belt
Level 5	Green belt
Levels 6-7	Purple belt (2 levels)
Levels 8-9-10	Brown belt(3 levels)
Levels 1-10 degree	Black belt (10 levels)

It's worth noting that Funakoshi only personally awarded up to the fifth Dan rank.

 

Shito Ryu Martial Arts Belt System

9 Kyu Ranks 10 Dan Ranks

White is a no rank

White Yellow belt

Yellow belt

Orange belt

Purple belts

Blue belt

Green belt

Brown belt (3 Levels)

Black belt (10 Dan Ranks)

 

Wado Ryu Martial Arts Belts

Wado Ryu belt system rankings can vary quite a bit from school to school.

Here is one example you might typically find:

White belt

Red belt

Yellow belt

Orange belt

Green belt

Blue belt

Purple belts

Brown belt

Black belt (10 levels)

 

Goju Ryu Martial Arts Belt System

One example might be:

White belt

White Yellow belt

Yellow belt

Orange belt

Green belt

Blue belt

Purple belts (2 Levels)

Brown belts (2 Levels)

Black belts (10 Levels)

 

Kyokushin Martial Arts Belt System

White belt

Orange (sometimes substitued with red)

Orange with Black Stripe

Blue

Blue with Black Stripe

Yellow

Yellow with Black Stripe

Green

Green with Black Stripe

Brown belt

Brown with Black Stripe

Black belt.

In Japan there are three major types of Karate Belt Systems.

Karate Belts in Japan

In the three Japanese karate regulatory bodies, here is the ranking system. Kyu (levels) may require multiple belts in their progression.

Japan Karate Federation (JKF)

Beginners White Belt

4 Kyu: Green Yellow Blue Orange

3 Kyu: Brown Green

2 Kyu: Brown Purple Gray

1 Kyu: Brown

1 Dan~ Black

Kyokushin Kaikan (KK)

Beginners: White Belt

10,9 Kyu Orange belt

8,7 Kyu Blue belt

6,5 Kyu Yellow belt

4,3 Kyu Green belt

2,1 Kyu Brown belt

1 Dan ~ Black belt

Okinawan Karate (OK)

10 Kyu Yellow belt

9, 8 Kyu Orange belt

7,6 Kyu Blue belt

5,4 Kyu Purple belt

3 Kyu Green belt

1-2 Kyu Brown belt

JunShoDan Black with white stripe down middle

1-5 Dan Black belt

6 Black Belt with 1 Yellow Stripe

7 Black Belt with 2 Yellow Stripe

8 Black Belt with 3 Yellow Stripe

9 Black Belt with 4 Yellow Stripe

10 Black Belt with 5 Yellow Stripe

As you can see the belt ranking system contains a plethora of karate belt colors depending on the stage martial artists are at and which school and karate class they belong to.

A critical concept to get your head around is not to get too hung up on belt colors and belt ranks since skill level is really determined by how well you master basic techniques (basic stances, punches, kicks, defensive and offensive techniques) and can apply them in real world situations, competitions.