Peter Carbone September 6, 2010 ·
In the beginning of the Okinawate, it was common to use the belts and titles of Japanese Judo.
I have been asked, on many occasions, where does my belt system come from.
When I say it comes from Okinawa, they respond saying,
“I never saw this type of belt from any Okinawa system.”
If you have studied Okinawa Martial Art history, associated with the culture
and traditions,
this belt system is common knowledge.
The Okinawa Belt and Title system is not very well known by Americans.
Many have never been to Okinawa, or, have assumed things without detailed
research.
Those who have NOT studied Okinawa have become creative, inventing their own
belt system out of ignorance.
Originally,
there was no belt system in the Ryukyu, prior to 1879.
The Ryukyute Martial Art was strictly taught in the warrior class, from father
to first born son.
This is the true meaning of the character Ryu, not from teacher to student.
Ryukyu or Okinawa Martial Art is not Japanese.
Many Okinawans wanted to segregate themselves from the Japanese Martial Art
belt system, developing their own.
Japanese
Belt and Title System
Black Belt System:
1st degree thru 6th degree (Sho Dan thru Roku Dan) - solid Black Belt ONLY
7th degree and 8th degree (Nana Dan and Hachi Dan) – Red and White Belt
9th degree and 10th degree (Ku Dan and Ju Dan) – solid Red Belt
License and Title System:
Renshi, Master Drill Instructor – Reserved for 5th Degree (Go Dan) and 6th
Degree (Roku Dan) ONLY.
At this Rank the individual may be eligible for the title of Renshi with NO
color belt change, black belt ONLY.
Kyoshi, a Master Teacher – Reserved for 7th Degree (Nana Dan) and 8th Degree (Hachi Dan), Red and White Belt ONLY.
Hanshi, literally, ”The fencing Master” – Reserved for 9th Degree, (Ku Dan) and
10th Degree (Ju Dan) ONLY.
OKINAWA
SYSTEM, Using the colors of the Shuri Jo (Castle)
Belt System:
1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree (Sho Dan, Ni Dan and San Dan) – Black Belt with a
Silver Stripe
4th, 5th and 6th Degree (Yon Dan, Go Dan, Roku Dan) – Black Belt with a GOLD
Stripe
7th and 8th Degree (Nana Dan and Hachi Dan)– Red Belt with a Gold Stripe
9th Degree (Ku Dan) – Red belt with a wide Gold Stripe
10th Degree (Ju Dan) – Solid Gold Belt
License and Title System:
Shihan, 4th Degree Black Belt (Yon Dan) was the beginning of the Shihan.
At this rank the individual can be called Shihan, with no official title. It
does NOT represent Master.
Renshi, Master Drill Instructor – Reserved for 5th Degree (Go Dan) and 6th Degree (Roku Dan) ONLY.
At this Rank the individual may be eligible, but not necessarily, for the title
of Renshi with NO color belt change.
Kyoshi, a Master Teacher – Reserved for 7th Degree (Nana Dan) and 8th Degree
(Hachi Dan) ONLY.
Tashi, this Title was reserved strictly for 9th Degree. However, it was officially eliminated and replaced with Hanshi.
Hanshi, literally, ”The fencing Master” – Reserved for 9th Degree (Ku Dan) and
10th Degree (Ju Dan) ONLY.
Renshi Title can be compared to a Bachelor Degree.
Kyoshi Title can be compared to a Masters Degree.
Hanshi Title can be compared to a Doctorate Degree (Phd).
This
information was discussed in detail in Okinawa with Okinawa historians and
Masters on many occasions.
Peter Carbone The reason for posting the picture,
was to validate the Okinawa belt system. As you can see, Kina Sensei is wearing
a gold belt. Even though the article was not about your interview with Kina
Sensei, thank you for showing off the picture of your interview.
If possible, please post the article and other pictures in a separate post. I'm
sure everyone, including myself, would like to see them.
Peter Carbone I have received other pictures, as well
as this one, from Nakamoto Sensei. I don't know who took those pictures. Maybe
you did. I certainly don't want to create foolish controversy by posting them.
Many were hanging on His dojo walls. He invited me to take as many pictures as
I wanted, of his dojo.
Dojo TokyoMushinkan
in judo, where the candy cane belt came from anyway, it is for 6-8 dan. the 7-8
dan rule seems to come from karate, who took the whole idea of dan/kyu from judo
anyway
Peter Carbone Even
though true, karate ranks and belts and uniforms came from the Japanese Judo
System, this article is about Okinawa Karate and the color belt and title
system adopted in 1961. All the information and picture or pictures are not a
Carbone invention. The article and picture, were for educational purposes only.
I interviewed different Masters on selected subjects in Okinawa, never expecting
it would be an education today.
As
the Staff Secretary for our FIRST GENERATION ISSHIN-RYU KARATE FRIENDSHIP
GROUP.All being Students of Master Shimabuku Tatsuo,Founder of Isshin-Ryu
Karate in Okinawa.This listing is not 100% complete but pretty darn close to
being accurate.If you were or is still a Student of one of these First
Generation Students,then you are a Second Generation Student of Isshin-Ryu
Karate.
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