Blue

Question 1

9th - 10th Kyu White Belt

Answer 1

The entry level signifying purity (3 months beginning level)

Question 2

8th Kyu Gold Belt

Answer 2

The awakening of the student (6 months beginning level)

Question 3

7th Kyu Orange Belt

Answer 3

The student develops beginning skills (9 months intermediate beginner)

Question 4

6th Kyu Green Belt

Answer 4

The student refines basic skills (1 year advanced beginner)

Question 5

5th Kyu Purple Belt

Answer 5

The student learns intermediate skills (approximate 15 months)

Question 6

4th Kyu Blue Belt

Answer 6

The student begins to apply his or her knowledge (approximately 1.5 years)

Question 7

3rd Kyu Red Belt

Answer 7

This signifies the intensity which the student is developing at this level (approximately 2 years)

Question 8

2nd Kyu Brown Belt

Answer 8

The student is beyond the intermediate level and is beginning to apply advanced techniques and refine his or her intermediate skills. At this level, the student develops style to his or her skill (approximately 2.5 years)

Question 9

1st Kyu Brown Belt

Answer 9

The preparatory stage for Black Belt level testing (approximately 3 years)

Question 10

2nd Dan Black Belt

Answer 10

The student has trained three years as a Black Belt with one as a student Black Belt and two as an assistance instructor (approximately 7 years)

Question 11

3rd Dan Black Belt

Answer 11

The student has trained three years as a Second Dan and is now eligible for Head Instructor Certification (approximately 10 years)

Question 12

4th Dan Black Belt

Answer 12

The student has trained four years as a Third Dan. The title of “Sensei” is awarded at this level (approximately 14 years).

Question 13

5th Dan Black Belt

Answer 13

The Sensei has trained five years as a 4th Dan. The title “Master” is awarded at this level (approximately 19 years).

Question 14

6th Dan Black Belt

Answer 14

The Master has trained six years as a 5th Dan. (approximately 25 years).

Question 15

7th Dan Black Belt

Answer 15

The Master has trained seven years as a 6th Dan (approximately 32 years)

Question 16

8th Dan Black Belt

Answer 16

The Master has trained eight years as a 7th Dan. The title “Grand Master” is awarded at this level. (approximately 40 years)

Question 17

9th Dan Black Belt

Answer 17

The Grand Master has trained nine years as an 8th Dan (approximately 49 years)

Question 18

10th Dan Black Belt

Answer 18

This is the final state which is achieved after ten years as a 9th Dan. Most Grand Masters do not accept the rank of perfection (approximately 59 years).