Articles

Life is a circle.

No successful karate student I know of would ever say that getting a black belt was the primary reason they joined a dojo. Yet for many students earning a black belt will indeed be the by-product of their years of effort. All they have to do is train long enough, and hard enough. In Shotokan karate a black belt, or Dan rank, is the first truly significant plateau. It is an individual achievement that they will remember for the rest of their life. Even though karate is not a team sport it is virtually impossible for any student to reach the Dan ranks without constantly training in the company of others.

Unfortunately far to many students once having reached the rank of Shodan (1st Dan level) consider this to be the end of their journey, and they cease training. In fact quite the opposite is true. A black belt is only the first step down a truly long, and wonderous path, for those who have courage, and the discipline to walk it.

Upon receiving their black belt in some dojos, the student will be known as a sempai (teachers assistant). At this point in their training the new sempai will find that they will be expected to take on a more formal leadership role within the dojo. Leading by example from the front row, constantly encouraging the junior students. While at the same time re-affirming their own commitment to expand the limits of their own horizon. Earning a black belt is definitely not a time for quitting.

It has been said that life is a circle. The same can be said for a student's journey down the Shotokan road. Starting out wearing a white belt made of cotton the student rises up through the ten kyu levels (colour belts) until they find themselves ready to take their Sho Dan exam. Once they pass the test they will wear a black belt for the remainder of their journey. Today in classical Shotokan karate there are ten Dan levels that can be awarded. Starting from the lowest rank, Shodan (1st Dan) to the highest rank, Judan (10th Dan).

As the years pass, and after their belt has been tied, and untied, a countless number of times the student will look down one day to notice that a great dealt of the black colouring has worn away. And so after a lifetime of training in the end they see truth. Their belt has always been a white belt. The colour was always just an illusion. The circle in now complete.

In addition to Dan ranks some organizations award three honorific titles, Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. These are only awarded to very high level black belts who must first be nominated, and sponsored by a higher rank. The organization awarding a title will usually do so only after the nominee has been very carefully vetted which could takes several years.

The three titles hold the following meanings:

RENSHI: "A person who has mastered oneself".

This person is considered an expert instructor and it is not unusual for a Renshi to be over 50 years old.

KYOSHI: "Knowledgeable person".

Usually this title is conferred at Roku Dan (6th Dan) and it is not unusual for a Kyoshi to be over 60 years old.

HANSHI: "Master".

This title is given only to the oldest, and most senior black belts, Shichi Dan (7th Dan) or above, who have studied the art of karate for most of their life. This rank signifies their true understanding of their art and it is not uncommon for a Hanshi to be over 70 or 80 years of age.

Remember: "It's not how long you have been training that counts, but how honestly."