Most people view a black belt as a symbol of proficiency in martial arts. Not as many people understand that many martial arts grant advanced "degrees" of black belt to represent training and mastery beyond the black belt. Second-degree black belt is the next step on the lifelong road of martial arts study.
Shodan
To be considered for a second-degree black belt, a martial artist must earn a first-degree black belt, called "shodan" in Japanese karate. Different organizations and styles have different requirements for this rank, but most will require 4 to 6 years of study. The curriculum for this rank will include basic strikes, kata and historical and/or ethical training. Many styles of karate include self-defense techniques -- combinations of basic strikes designed to respond to a specific combat situation. In many martial arts, shodan-level students will receive weapons training -- most commonly the staff, katana, nunchaku or sai.
Curriculum
After attaining black-belt rank, a karate student studies two distinct categories of training. He spends much of his time reviewing and refining the material learned up to black belt and learns additional material to qualify for second-degree black belt. In most organizations, the material for second degree is conceptually similar to first-degree requirements: more advanced strikes, kata and self-defense concepts. Nearly all second-degree black belt candidates will have received training in one or more weapons.
Time in Rank
Most martial-arts organizations require a student to have studied for a defined period of time, regardless of how quickly he learned the curriculum. A typical required time-in-rank is 1 to 2 years after receiving the black belt. Many organizations set age limits for black-belt rank and higher; ages 16 and 18 are two common cutoff points for second-degree black belt.
Scholarship
As a martial-arts student strives for ranks above black belt, organizations often move away from physical requirements and toward scholarship as a means of demonstrating mastery of the style. As with other requirements for second degree, the specifics will vary from organization to organization, but a second-degree candidate can typically expect to complete a thesis on some aspect of his training.
Contribution
The further you climb the mountain of martial arts, the more your rank will be based on your contribution to your school, you organization and the art as a whole. Candidates for second degree will still be judged primarily on personal growth, but it is not unusual for the school to require some kind of contribution from a candidate to qualify for second degree. Assuming teaching duties at the school is the most common example of this kind of requirement.
References
- Jason Brick; Martial Arts School Owner; Hillsboro, OR
- Dave Coffman; Martial Arts Historian; Hillsboro, OR
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