Kyū Promotions
The levels of karate or kobudō performance below black belt are called kyū. The kyū system is very like the grades in elementary school. As you advance through the grades you expect to learn new things. Unlike the school system, there is no consistency in the martial arts world for the number of levels below black belt or for the colors of the belts. The US Kōburyū Kōbukai has chosen the following system:
| Kyū | 級 | class, rank, grade | White belt | ||
| 10 | 十 | 十級 | Jukkyū | Yellow belt | |
| 9 | 九 | 九級 | Kyūkyū | Orange belt | |
| 8 | 八 | 八級 | Hachikyū | Blue belt | |
| 7 | 七 | 七級 | Nanakyū | Blue belt with one black stripe | |
| 6 | 六 | 六級 | Rokkyū | Green belt | |
| 5 | 五 | 五級 | Gokyū | Green belt with one black stripe | |
| 4 | 四 | 四級 | Yonkyū | Purple belt | |
| 3 | 三 | 三級 | Sankyū | Purple belt with one black stripe | |
| 2 | 二 | 二級 | Nikyū | Brown belt | |
| 1 | 一 | 一級 | Ikkyū | Brown belt with one black stripe |
Testing for Promotion
There are many good reasons for having a karate test. Knowing that you have a test coming up may cause you to pay closer attention in class. It’s a good time to polish up your technique and make sure you have not been relying too much on the senior student’s lead. Most students find that tests make them nervous. This is to be expected. Practicing hard and knowing the material well will help you do well, even while nervous. Passing the test will give you a feeling of accomplishment. You may find that you approach your new level with increased enthusiasm and positive attitude.
It is important to watch other student’s tests, even though you may not be testing yourself. Observe how to act. Know what to expect so that you won’t feel so nervous when it is your turn to test. Most of all, you will be showing support for the students who are testing.
You can learn a lot by watching tests. If someone makes a mistake, you can avoid making the same error. If someone does something especially well you can copy them, making your own technique or behavior better. Listen to the corrections, too. Are you making some of the same mistakes?
Many students are surprised to find that techniques they can easily performed as a group can be very confusing when performed alone. Be prepared. Practice on your own so that you do not have to rely on your fellow students.
The Kyū Certificate
Upon successful completion of a kyū test the student may receive a certificate recognizing his or her achievement. Awarding the kyū promotion certificate is optional. The head of the dōjō will decide what is best for his dōjō.
What Does It Say?
Students (and sensei, too) often ask what the certificate says. The different areas on the certificate, from right to left:
空手道 or 古武道
The upper right corner specifies either karatedō or kobudō.
證
This kanji is pronounced “shō,” meaning certification or proof.
進向通以
さ後り下
れ益允の
た々許書
し精すの
In the traditional Japanese manner this section is read in columns from top to bottom, right to left.
In normal paragraph style it would look like this:
以下の書の通り允許す向後益々精進されたし.
In English, this section says (more or less):
The person mentioned is licensed in accordance with this document.
Hereafter, apply yourself with more and more diligence.
For the sensei brave enough to read the certificate in Japanese:
Ika no sho no tōri inkyo su
Kyōkō masumasu shōjin sareta shi
The Promotion Information
The student’s name in English and in katakana.
Karatedō or kobudō followed by the new kyū given in Romaji and English.
The date of the test.
The name of the dōjō sponsoring the test.
沖縄孝武流空手道古武道孝武会
Okinawa Karatedō Kobudō Kōbukai is the name of our international karate organization. The headquarters of the organization is in Okinawa, Japan. The official logo of the organization is found in the background as a watermark.
宗家会長
This says Sōke Kaichō, the official title of the head of our international organization. It means both founder of the style and current head of the organization.
金城 孝
| hanko | 判子 | stamp “chop” |
This is Sōke Kaichō Kinjō’s full name, Kinjō Takashi, given in the Japanese manner as the family name first and the given name after. Overlapping his name is his official stamp. In Japan the stamp is used like a signature.
ミシガン州 会長 ウェイン クロー
The left-most column (or sometimes two columns) is the title and name of the person granting the promotion. Typically, the state kaichō is the granting authority. State kaichō is a title. It is given as the state name in katakana, the kanji for state and then the kanji for kaichō. Following that is the state kaichō’s name in katakana. The name in the example certificate says “Michigan State Kaichō Wayne Kroll.” The state kaichō will add his official stamp to the certificate after the test is successfully completed.
A Note to the Sensei
Requesting the Certificate
The sensei has only to e-mail or text Sue Crow with the date of the test, the names in English and the kyū being tested for. A week in advance is appreciated, but at least a day is fine.
In order to maintain the logo watermark, Japanese fonts, names in katakana and spacing consistent, Sue Crow produces a pdf file of the requested certificates. The pdf is e-mailed to the requesting party. The pdf can be conveniently printed on any inkjet printer on standard 8 1/2 by 11 paper. A nice paper stock is recommended.
Stamping the Certificate
The certificate may be stamped by the officiating sensei with the head of the dōjō’s official hanko at the conclusion of a successful test. To get the clearest possible stamp, use a yielding surface like a piece of felt or several layers of newspaper. The official stamp can be scanned and included in the certificate document, if requested.