"Mudansha" means "without dan" and refers to the fact that a student has not yet attained the rank of Black
Belt.
The Japanese word "kyu" meaning "grade" is used to denote rank amongst the mudansha. Students advance
through the kyu system in descending order from 11th kyu (the lowest grade above white belt) through 1st kyu (the highest
of the kyu grades).
This system is typical among many Japanese and Okinawan styled karate training centers. Less
consistent is the use of the term "kyu-ho" or "half-grade". Some karate instructors will employ
the kyu-ho grade at strategic points within their curriculm to better meet their teaching needs.
The most recognized symbols of the kyu system is the use of 'colored' belts as an indication of 'rank'.
Traditionally a student only acheived true recognition after having reached the rank of 'shodan', or beginning
level black belt, but as many karate schools began to commercialize themselves the importance of the kyu grading
system coupled with a constantly evolving curriculm became a mainstay.
It would be well to note that the number of kyu used, the colors used, as well as the order in
which they are utilized, vary widely from style-to- stye, and sometimes even in the same system. On that note,
it is often better to make relative comparisons between two kyu ranks of any style, than tryng to
understand the confusion caused by misperceptions when observing a mix of students who may simply
be wearing identically 'colored' belts.
R. "Rabbit" Celestino
Karate Concepts LLC
UD 04/11/08
A students belt is a visual representation of their earned
rank within their respective system of martial arts. As such, it is not unlike a 'mirror' in a very real way.
As a student changes, so too does the color of their belt change to reflect such growth. These changes however,
are neither permanent nor irreversible. Consequently, the color of a student's belt may revert to a previous color as
a consequence of a poor attitude or poor effort. Fortunately, for those select few, EXCELLENCE is also
a consequence.
