Like most other Asian martial arts, judo uses colored belts to indicate the proficiency, dedication and time in training of students and teachers alike. Also like other martial arts, no central authority governs judo belt ranking. However, because judo is a sport that abides by internationally accepted rules, the requirements for a brown belt are more uniform among different judo programs than among different organizations of other fighting styles.
History
When Dr. Jigoro Kano founded judo in the late 19th century, he was the first to adopt a system of colored belts to indicate rank. The brightly colored novice belts, such as yellow and orange, didn't become part of the martial arts scene for nearly a century. However, brown belt -- a rank indicating a student who was training for black belt rank -- was part of the system from the beginning.
Basics
A judo brown belt is expected to be able to demonstrate all material he has learned while pursuing earlier belt ranks. This bank of knowledge will include strikes, blocks, throws, locks, sweeps and stances. He is also expected to demonstrate a deeper knowledge of this material than when he originally learned it. A brown belt must not only memorize but also understand the techniques he has learned during his martial arts journey.
New Material
In training for brown belt, a judo student learns a number of new techniques. These are typically more subtle and complex than those she learned at earlier ranks. Some examples include wheel sweeps, wrapping sweeps, side hooks and techniques for choking an opponent into unconsciousness, and for reviving him afterward.
Weapons
Weapons training is not a traditional part of sport judo training, but some programs include weapons in their brown belt curriculum. Typical weapons taught in judo include the sword -- usually a katana -- and a 4-foot-long staff called a bo. Weapons training in judo usually takes the form of learning weapons kata rather than sparring or fighting while armed.
Time of Study
Many judo programs will require a student to have studied for a minimum time before testing for brown belt rank. This time period may be expressed as a minimum time from starting class or a minimum number of classes attended. Although times vary, a serious student practicing regularly and attending at least two classes per week can expect to be eligible for brown belt rank within two to four years of beginning his training.
References
- JudoInfo: History of Judo
- "USJA Basic Judo Manual"; Phillip Porter; 1996
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