Adult Curriculum
All students, adults and children, begin with a plain white belt. The white belt is symbolic of “beginner’s mind,” a willingness to learn.
The old Zen story of the professor and the Zen master is appropriate here. The story goes that a professor met with a Zen master to add to his already significant studies of world religions, although he felt that he already knew what to expect from the Zen teacher, being well versed in the relevant scholarly texts.
At the beginning of the interview the master poured the professor a cup of tea but he kept pouring and pouring, letting the cup overflow across the table and down the floor. When the professor finally protested and asked the master what he was doing, the master explained that the professor was like the full teacup; no matter how much more tea was poured, no more could enter his cup.
So, in order to learn, we have to “empty our cup.” That does not mean that our previous experiences are of no value. Everyone comes into the dojo with a life history that brings a unique perspective on the work we do. If we can be open to the possibility of something completely new to us (even if you have practiced martial arts before) then our unique perspectives can be an asset to the dojo, rather than too much tea in our cups.
Equivalent to Yellow Belt in the children’s curriculum. Adults may find it useful to read the comments on the ranks in the children’s curriculum.
Just like the children, adults embarking on martial arts studies need to learn to practice strongly and take good care of their partners. To get the most out of a traditional practice, consider that the work is designed to aid your growth and maturation in all aspects of your life.
Equivalent to Blue Belt in the children’s curriculum.
The White Belt curriculum is divided into two portions, based mainly on the kata. Students get two opportunities to test each new kata. (Sanchin is not part of this division because it is on every test, including the most senior black belt tests.)
You have tested successfully with Kanshiwa Kata and you have the chance now to use that experience and the test board’s comments to bring your Kanshiwa Kata and the rest of your Karate work to an even better level for your next test.
Equivalent to Red Belt in the children’s curriculum.
Here you begin work on Kanshu Kata. This will be your kata for the next two tests, including your Gokyu (Green Belt) test. The new Kumite and Bunkai at this level are the ones you will perform for your Gokyu and Sankyu (Brown Belt) tests.
Equivalent to Purple Belt in the children’s curriculum.
The test you have done for Rokkyu was a dry run for your Gokyu test.
As exciting and rewarding as each new stripe can be, after a while it dawns on us that we are still wearing a white belt. Gokyu is the first change of belt color for the adults, and the first adult rank for those who have been working through the children’s curriculum.
You have demonstrated your trustworthiness in the dojo and your willingness to learn. Your new kata, Seichin Kata, is one of the most beautiful and advanced forms in the entire curriculum. Your task is to bring this kata and the Kumite and Bunkai you already know to a senior level.
The Brown Belt curriculum is really the beginning of the Black Belt curriculum, so that test will be the last time you will be tested on the white belt Kumite and Bunkai. That material needs to be as “finished” as possible - clean, effective and spirited.
Sankyu, Nikyu & Ichikyu (Brown Belt)
At brown belt you have graduated out of the junior curriculum and begin work on the senior curriculum. Of course, we never leave any part of the curriculum behind, seniors practice the junior material but at a senior level.
Seisan Kata is the second Kata of the original Chinese curriculum, so brown belt represents a significant step in the modern curriculum. The next step of this kind is at Sandan, when we start work on the third kata of the old curriculum, Senseiryu.
With a kata steeped in history and tradition, and new and complex Kumite and Bunkai, brown belts often have a noticable humility to go along with their toughness, strength and skill.
Shodan, or 1st degree black belt rank, is the goal for all good Karateka in the kyu ranks. It is helpful to have a goal like this, but there are some dangers too. For one thing, it is not a good idea to make the Shodan test into such a big deal that we scare ourselves out of doing it altogether. Do every class as if it were a test, and do every test as if it were a class.
Another danger of over–emphasizing ranking is disappointment. It can be very humbling to put your new black belt on and realize that you have not become a demi-god after all, and yet you are wearing the same belt as your teachers and their teachers.
Finally, as paradoxical as it may seem, the goal is to not have any goals. That does not mean that we are careless or slack. Quite the opposite. But we are not working so hard in order to elevate our egos with our wonderful accomplishments. We are working to transend our ego in order to be centered, grounded and present. As Peter Ralston put it, there is no fight, there never has been a fight.
Here are some simple descriptions of the early Dan ranks.
Shodan (1st degree) Dedication
Nidan (2nd degree) Depth
Sandan (3rd degree) Immovable Center
Yondan (4th degree) Confidence
Godan (5th degree) Mature Practice
"Make your opponent feel that when he looks upward, you are much taller, and when he looks downward, you are much lower.
When he moves forward, he should feel that he cannot reach you, and when he retreats, he should feel that he has nowhere to escape to."
Wong Chung-Tua