Introduction

It is not a character from Star Wars. So what is it?

The belt or obi (Japanese name for belt) is an outward sign displaying to others the achievement or progression with their system of martial art. How did the belt come about? There were no Black belts as such. The sash or belt is meant to have come about in the following way. The sash which held the practice jacket together was in fact nothing more than a strip of material, with no particular colour; this can be seen in early photographs of Jujitsuka in Japan. The strips were not necessary when hakama’s were worn. The ‘Uma-nori-Hakama’ was the traditional divided skirt worn by noblemen and warriors in Japan, and adapted particularly for horse riding. At such times the strip was used as a headband.

One common “legend” concerning the tradition of belts claims that early martial artists began their training with a white belt, which eventually became stained black from years of sweat, dirt, and blood. However, there is no real evidence for this story, so it should be relegated to the status of myth. In fact, given the standard of cleanliness common in the traditional Judo or Karate dojo, a student arriving with a bloodied or dirty uniform would probably not have been allowed to train. In some arts and schools there is the opinion that the belt should not be washed; by doing that one would "wash away the knowledge" or "wash one's Ki away." This is all related to the “dirty belt” myth.

How did the grading system come about?

One of the first know schools to use an inaugurate ranking system, was the Shin-no-shindo Ryu.
Beginners achieved Shodan (first grade) which bears no relation to the modern Kano-based Kyu -Yudansha black belt system. The second grade was the Chu-dan meaning “middle rank”. The final rank is the Jo-dan or upper rank.

The Cherry Blossom jujitsu school has a cherry blossom on their gi jacket. A coloured centre of the flower indicates the grade, instead of using a belt like other schools.
Jujitsu Master Kano, the founder of Judo, was an educator and came up with a ranking system, in which he divided those who practice into grades according to their skill and experience. These are indicated by the colour of the belt they wore.

Master Kano was the head of the Japanese school system. He based the belt system on the arts of kyodo and the modern academic school systems, coloured belts were based on the elementary grades of public schools, the 1st to 5th dan belts were the BA program at college, the 6th to 8th dan, black belt ranks were masters and the 9th & 10th dans were at the doctorate levels of university (which is why these higher rank holders were usually addressed as “professor”).

It is paradoxical that today some martial artists take a wire brush to their ‘black belt’ and reduce it to a length of worn tatters in an act of bravado to impress the casual onlooker that he or she is a well practised and seasoned martial artist.

Each coloured belt has a significant meaning, white - purity, Yellow through to brown each take on one of the five elements (godai) wind, water, earth, fire and void. Purple is included within Jujitsu schools and has itself a deep history and meaning. It is written one of the head masters of Takenouchi Ryu, the founding school of jujitsu demonstrated the schools technique to a high official of the Emperor and then was presented a purple cord (rope) to demonstrate the restraint techniques (hojo). The official was so impressed he gave the purple cord to Master Takenouchi to indicate the schools most high and supreme level of restraint. The purple colour was only used for nobles and royalty and has a very difficult process to develop the purple dye created from a certain beetle. So the grade of purple belt represents the progression of proficiency of the individual who wears it. The wearer should be able to demonstrate maturity, fluid movement and high standard in executing jujitsu technique.

Our school of Jujitsu has taken a similar approach. We have Kyu or student grades. You can look at all these grades as pupil grades and then from Shodan you finally receive your degree (1st Dan).
All Dan grades up to and including 5th dan wear a black belt, their title is Sensei. From 6th to 8th a red and white striped belt, their title is Shihan. A red belt indicates 9th and 10th dan; their title is Soke or Professor.
The red/white and red belts are general only wore for formal proceedings i.e. grading, seminars and demonstrations.

Beyond The Black Belt

Around 1930 Jigoro Kano created a new coloured belt to recognize the special achievements of those reaching high Dan ranking black belts of 6th Dan or above.
These Dan grades became known as the Kodansha, meaning “person of high rank”, the “Ko” in this case meaning high, “Dan” meaning rank and “Sha” meaning person. However the actual recognition of Kodansha itself starts at 5th Dan, when it is deemed that a student has completed the school’s curriculum or syllabus of Judo techniques.
Jigoro Kano chose to recognize the achievements of 6th, 7th, and 8th Dan black belts with a special “Obi” or belt, made of alternating red and white panels, known as the Kohaku Obi. The Japanese ideograph “Kohaku” may be directly translated as Red and White.

The Significance of Red and White in Japanese Culture
The Genpei Wars between 1180 and 1185 were a conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans, equally matched sides, in the late Heian period of Japan. These wars, however eventually, resulted in the downfall of the Taira clan and the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate under Minamoto Yorimoto in 1192.
The Taira clan was often referred to as Heike and the Minamoto clan as Genji. They were identifiable on the battlefield by the use of coloured flags. The Heike used red flags and the Genji white flags.
Following this war and its aftermath, the colours red and white, of the Taira and Minamoto standards, were established respectively, as Japan's national colours. The white represented purity and peace, whilst the red represented not only the “Rising Sun” but the intensity within the Japanese people themselves, combined, the flag represented a national unity.
This unity of colours represented the opposing sides of equal ability.

Opposing Sides of Equal Ability
As a direct influence of this event, the Japanese began to use these two colours to represent opposing sides of equal ability, in just about any area of social cultural activity, whether through logical board games, sporting activities, Martial Arts or other areas of Japanese culture such as Chado (Tea ceremony) and Ikebana (Flower arranging).
These social cultural activities often resulted in contests against different schools, and the colours of red and white were used to differentiate the individual contestants or even the schools themselves, often by the wearing of small red or white ribbons.
The colours red and white are an enduring symbol of Japanese Culture, and they have been used in Judo since Jigoro Kano started the first ever Judo tournament, the Red and White Tournament, known as the Kohaku Shiai, in 1884. This tournament seems to have had a direct influence on Kano’s use of the Kohaku Obi.

The “Kohaku Obi” – Red and White Panelled Belt
Generally, the Kohaku Obi is often worn for special ceremonial occasions only, it is not a requirement to be worn at all by Kodansha and the black belt still remains the standard attire for all the Yudansha (Black belts) ranks regardless of level.
The uses of the combined colours of red and white on one belt also have been a symbolic representation of the principles of harmony suggested by the balance of yin and yang. This use of contrasting colours is used throughout Japanese culture.
These colours represented the deeper symbolic philosophy of Yin and Yang, or opposite forces. The white representing purity, peace and calm whilst the red represents the intense desire to train and the sacrifices that have been made. Therefore the wearer has reached a level where these forces meet, they meet equally united, the opposing of complementary harmony.
Usually it is thought off, that the wearer using the Kohaku Obi is on a ceremonial function i.e. instructing formally, conducting a demonstration, a course or a seminar. If the holder is in general practice, i.e. regular training, randori training or still actively competing, it is the norm to still use the black belt.
In Japan, it is very rare for high Dan ranks, regardless of level, to outwardly display the wearing of the Kohaku Obi unless it is on a formal occasion. The very opposite can be said in the west, where it is common place for Kohaku Obi wearers to use the belt on a general day to day basis, regardless of occasion, although this practice can vary immensely between different associations.
Originally when Kano created the new Kohaku Obi, they were presented only to the 6th – 8th Dan seasoned veterans of the Kohaku Shiai, hence his natural use of the combined colours of Red and White. The Kohaku Shiai itself will be discussed in a future article.

Kohaku Dan Graded Syllabus
Generally, in the west, when practitioners have reached the level of 5th Dan, it is unusual for the individual to have to take another formal grading.
Most associations hold an annual review, set up by a steering committee which usually includes members of their National Governing Board of Directors. This committee meets and assesses all current 5th Dan practitioners for suitability for further promotion to 6th Dan, the successful applicants will have had to meet several stringent guidelines, some which will contain minimum requirements such as time in present grade, competition achievement record and such areas as services to Judo. Also other areas such as current practice involvement, coaching ability, leadership, or research, publication, etc. In some associations, 5th Dan or above can put forward proposals for themselves to be considered for higher Dan rank, in other associations the process is an automatic yearly evaluation of all 5th Dans.
Technical Dan Grade promotions require similar guidelines with the exception of competition achievement record.
The Kodokan, however require all higher Dan ranked individuals to be apt at Judo Kata, the performance of a stated designated Kata is still a requirement of senior gradings from 6th to 8th Dan. At the Kodokan, these same candidates also undergo a written or verbal examination prior to any subsequent successful promotion.
The practice of Kata itself has somewhat been lost in the west in most associations, however there is currently a large resurgence towards Kata. The need to perform Kata for Dan grading of all levels, is now becoming a standard within a lot of Dan syllabi.

Beyond 8th Dan
Jigoro Kano also created the solid red belt to recognize 9th and 10th degree Yudansha. Very little is known behind this actual creation; however it is believed that the solid red signifies the holder as having trained intensely for many years and sacrificed much in their pursuits of the study of Judo.
However for women, the difference between belt colours also still exists, with the solid red belt being an option for a Joshi Hachidan (woman 8th dan), whereas for males it indicates a 9th Dan minimal.
There are no testing requirements for promotions to 9th or 10th Dan. Those promotions are based on time in grade, achievements and status by the promotions committee. In the entire history of Judo, there have been numerous promotions to 9th Dan, but very few to 10th Dan.
However there does appear to be some definition to constitute the awarding of either a 9th or 10th Dan and they are as follows: -

• The Coaching Record of the Candidate
• Organizational Leadership
• Teaching of Jujitsu
• Creative Contributions to Jujitsu
• Devotion to Jujitsu without a Break

There are many definitions within these classifications; however they are not for discussion in this article.
Kyuzo Mifune, 10th Dan, was once asked what made a person a 10th Dan and he answered “That the person should have added something new to the theory of Judo”. Mifune himself was famous for his analogy of the way a ball reacts when pushed, and this was apparently considered to be an important theoretical contribution to the theory of Judo.
Kano also signified the use of a solid white belt for anyone who could be deemed beyond 10th Dan i.e. 11th Dan or above. This solid white belt would be off double width thickness to the usual beginners white belt, to signify the substantial difference and to recognise that holders of this rank would have come full circle….the final objective of any Judo student.
However, in the entire history of Judo, no-one has ever been promoted above the rank of 10th Dan. (Discussions surrounding Kano’s 12th Dan have been previously written).

How do you gain your belt?

The objective for each grade you face is to present the right attitude and principles of jujitsu. This may include the body mechanics and application of technique and theoretical knowledge. Each of these disciplines will help direct and develop the individual with skills that can be used practically.
You must understand that no matter what level you are you must strive to achieve each level to a competent standard. Sometimes you may feel that you have failed parts of a grading, just like anything in life you will get better. To reach your black belt only means that you have learnt the basics and is only the beginning of learning Jujitsu and the martial arts.
I hope this is the same goal that all students, regardless of size, gender, ability and strength strive for in the mastering of their chosen art.
Be proud of your achievement in coming this far and remember, keep striving to become better in training, work and in life and not just for the belt.

Grading

Season’s turn,
Techniques tuned,
Testing day,
Conflicting movement,
Bitterness exhales,
Mushin,
All is renewed.

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