The Belt System & Rank Requirements
The beginning student in most martial arts disciplines wears a white belt, according to tradition, signifies innocence. With the passage of time the belt becomes soiled from handling
and use, so the second stage of learning is signified by a brown belt. As more time passes the belt becomes darker until it is black - the black belt stage. With even more use the black belt becomes
frayed, almost white, signifying that the wearer is returning again to innocence - a Zen characteristic of human perfection. (Hyams, 1979)
The above quote expresses the traditional significance of the three primary belts - white, brown, and black - but what of the other belts - yellow, blue, and green? What is their significance in the
Methuen Karate Association?
The fact that the yellow belt is the brightest of all belts is no accident. The yellow belt signifies an awakening - in initial immersion into the art of karate. It is the first "color"; whereas the
white belt blends with the white of the dogi, the yellow belt provides a contrast with regard to the overall appearance of the wearer - a rather pronounced contrast between the innocence of white and
the road to Yudansha that lies ahead.
The blue and green belts, although not as bright a color as the yellow belt, represent measurable growth and commitment. In many ways, these are the "worker Belts". Much of the wearer's time is spent
learning, practicing and ultimately perfecting physical technique. These belts also contrast in color with the white of the dogi, but are not as bright as the color of the yellow belt. Indeed, for
the wearers' of these belts, the awakening - the initial immersion - has already occurred. Now is the time to learn and practice budo karate.
Although the yellow belt's brightness ultimately prevails. Indeed, the green belt paves the way for the highly recognized brown belt and is a "proving ground" for the coveted Shodan. It is the point
at which the karateka begins to make her/his own personal statement on the art of karate - a statement that continues to change and grow through the ranks of the Yudansha.
New students hold the rank of 9th kyu and wear a white belt. There are 10 kyu levels, where students wear colored belts:
White Belt: 10th and 9th kyu
Blue Belt: 8'th and 7'th kyu
Yellow Belt: 6'th and 5'th kyu
Green Belt: 4'th and 3'rd kyu
Brown Belt: 2'nd and 1'st kyu
There are 9 dan levels, where students wear black belts.
MKA Rules of Grading
A meeting of the Grading Council of the Methuen Kyokushin karate Association was held on January 4, 1997 to set forth minimum length of training requirements which must be met, along with the standard requirements outlined in the student manual before a student will be considered for promotion. The requirements are as follows:
Current Rank | Rank you will be tested for | Minimum Length of Training |
White Belt: 10'th Kyu (Ju Kyu) 9'th Kyu (Kyu Kyu) |
Blue Belt (Hachi Kyu) | 3 Months |
Blue Belt: 8'th Kyu (Hachi Kyu) 7'th Kyu (Hichi Kyu) |
Yellow Belt (Rok Kyu) | 6 Months from receipt of Blue Belt |
Yellow Belt: 6'th Kyu (Rok Kyu) 5'th Kyu (Go Kyu) |
Green Belt (Shi Kyu) | 6 Months from receipt of Yellow Belt |
Green Belt: 4'th Kyu (Shi Kyu) 3'rd Kyu (San Kyu) |
Brown Belt (Ni Kyu) | 1½ year from receipt of Green Belt |
Brown Belt: 2'nd Kyu (Ni Kyu) 1'st Kyu (Ik Kyu) |
Black Belt (Shodan) | 2 year from receipt of Brown Belt |
The following information is provided to indicate at which level katas and techniques are introduced to students and when they are required to demonstrate proficiency for advancement.
Kata
White Belt |
Blue Belt |
||
10th kyu | 9th kyu Taikyoku Sono Ichi Taikyoku Sono Ni |
8th kyu |
7th kyu Pinan Sono Ichi Seven Kicks |
Yellow Belt |
Green Belt |
||
6th kyu Pinan Sono Ni |
5th kyu Pinan Sono San 3 Bow Katas |
4th kyu Sanchin No Kata (basic) Pinan Sono Yon Sanchin No Kata (formal) |
3rd kyu Pinan Sono Go 7 Bow Katas |
Brown Belt |
|||
2nd kyu Gekisai Dai |
1st kyu Yantsu Tsuki-no Self Defense Technique |
Shodan Tensho, Saiha Taikyoku Sono ichi,ni, and san all in ura |
Nidan Kanku-dai, Gekisai Sho Seienchin Pinan sono ichi in ura |
Sandan Sushi Ho, Garyu, Seipai Pinan Sono ni in ura |
Kihon (basic techniques)
Combinations
Kumite
Announcements
Dojo Will Be Closed
Patriots Day
Monday, April 16, 2018
Upcomimg Events
Breach Training
June 10, 2018
50th Anniversary Celebration
November 3, 2018
Methuen Classic
November 11, 2018
FALL TINY TOT CLASSES
3 & 4 year olds
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