Karate uniforms include a colored belt indicating the time students have spent in study, their proficiency and the contribution of the student wearing the belt. Although no centralized authority governs the order of or requirements for rank in karate, most belt progressions for Japanese karate follow the general framework of Shotokan -- the oldest and largest karate organization in the world.
Belt Rank Basics
Judo was the first martial art to adopt colored rank belts. Karate adopted the practice when Gichin Funakoshi organized Shotokan in the early 20th century. At first, white, brown and black were the only belt ranks. The additional colored ranks were adopted during the latter half of the century. Karate belt ranks are divided between "mudansha" -- ranks below black belt -- and "yudansha" ranks at and above black belt.
Novice Belts
The white, yellow and orange belts in karate represent the earliest stages of training. While earning these belts, students focus primarily on the basics of individual strikes and the simplest of forms and katas. With regular attendance, a student can work through these ranks in one year to 18 months.
Intermediate Belts
The second and third years of karate training are marked by passing through the ranks of green, blue and purple belt. Students working on these belts learn more advanced kata, combinations of basic techniques, and advanced moves like jumping kicks and strikes that require great precision.
Advanced Belts
The red and brown belts mark the fourth year of karate training, the months during which students prepare for their black belt. Techniques and kata become more advanced, and weapons training is often introduced at this level. Weapons training includes both learning how to use weapons like the staff, sai and nunchaku, and learning how to defend against weapons with empty hands.
Black Belt
Upon attaining a black belt rank, karate students are considered proficient enough to teach students of their own. Karate recognizes up to 10 ranks of black belt, each of which represents progressively higher levels of mastery of the art. In general, it takes a number of years to train for a new black belt rank equal to the "degree" of that rank. For example, a third-degree black belt will train for at least four years before promoting to fourth degree. In some karate organizations, the highest ranks -- ninth and 10th degree -- can be held by a limited number of people at any given time.
References
- Dave Coffman; martial arts instructor; Society for Kenpo Studies; Beaverton, Oregon
- InterMartialArts.com: Shotokan Karate Belts
- All-Karate.com: History of Karate
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