This is an overview of the Goju Ryu karate belt and ranking system with detailed grading requirements for each grading.
Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju Ryu did not believe in belts and ranking. He was quoted as saying “If your karate is good enough you do not need a black belt to prove it, and if it is not, then you should not wear one.”
Chojun Miyagi reportedly refused to award dan grades to anyone (Japanese or Okinawan) and it was only after his death that Goju Ryu dojos followed the footsteps of other styles and began to adopt the belt and ranking system that Jigoro Kano established for Judo.
Here is another quote by Chojun Miyagi that explains why he didn’t believe in this practice:
I believe that when Dan ranks are awarded in karate, it will inevitably lead to trouble. The ranking system will lead to discrimination within Karate, and karateka will be judged by their rank and not their character. It will create inferior and superior strata within the Karate community, and lead to discrimination between people.
Chojun Miyagi.
Nevertheless, grades, belts, and rankings are an integral part of the karate system everywhere we go today and I do see some merits for it.
In the old days, karate masters usually only trained a handful students and everyone probably knew the technical abilities of the people they trained with.
But in today’s dojos, there could be 20 to 30 people or more training at the same time. People also come and go on a regular basis and it’s hard to remember where everyone is at. Color belts, therefore, help identify students’ levels and group them accordingly for teaching and drilling purposes.
Similar to the Shotokan belt and ranking system, there are slight variations across Goju Ryu organizations as well.
The following is largely based on the grading curriculum of the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF).
As Goju Ryu has only 12 kata (probably having the fewest number of katas amongst the major karate styles), bunkai drills are emphasized instead of kihon ippon kumite and jyu ippon kumite drills like under a typical Shotokan system.
Belt | Rank | Curriculum |
---|---|---|
White belt | 10th Kyu | Kihon: Basic kihon (basic punch, block, and kick techniques and basic stances) Kata: Tachi kata (stance kata) Kumite: No contact to very light contact randori |
White belt with one stripe | 9th Kyu | Minimum training time: 3 months or 25 sessions Karate terms: counting to 10 in Japanese and some basic terms like junbi undo, kihon training, kumite, directions and sides Kihon: Basic kihon (basic punch, block, and kick techniques and basic stances) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi (basic sequence) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 and light contact randori Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Yellow belt | 8th Kyu | Minimum training time: 3 months or 25 sessions since the last grading Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far Kihon: Basic kihon (basic punch, block, and kick techniques and basic stances) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi (relatively good form) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 & 2 and light contact randori Kakie: basic kakie form Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Orange belt | 7th Kyu | Minimum training time: 3-4 months or 30 sessions since the last grading Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far Kihon: Basic kihon (basic punch, block, and kick techniques and basic stances) from standing and basic kihon ido (moving basics) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni Bunkai: show bunkai for Gekisai Dai Ichi (both sides) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 to 4 and light contact randori Kakie: basic kakie practice Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Green belt | 6th Kyu | Minimum training time: 4-5 months or 40 sessions since the last grading Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far Kihon: Intermediate kihon and ido kihon (good form) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa Bunkai: show bunkai for Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni (both left and right sides) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 to 4; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill and full contact randori Kakie: Gekisai Dai Ichi kakie Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Blue belt | 5th Kyu | Minimum training time: 5-6 months or 50 sessions since the last grading Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far Kihon: Intermediate kihon and ido kihon (good form) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, and Sanchin Bunkai: show bunkai for Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, and Saifa (both left and right sides) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 to 4; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill and full contact randori Kakie: Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni kakie techniques Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Purple belt | 4th Kyu | Minimum training time: 6-7 months or 60 sessions since the last grading Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far Kihon: Intermediate kihon and ido kihon (good form and good power and proper hips engagement in all techniques) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, and Sanchin Bunkai: show bunkai for Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, and Saifa (both left and right sides) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 to 4; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill and jiyu kumite (free sparring) Kakie: Demonstrading Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, and Saifa kakie techniques Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Brown Belt | 3rd Kyu | Minimum training time: 7-8 months or 70 sessions since the last grading Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far Kihon: Advanced kihon and ido kihon (good form and good power and proper hips engagement in all techniques both whether performed in stationary stances or when moving) Kihon: Basic punch and kick techniques and basic stances Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, and Sanchin Bunkai: show bunkai for Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa and Seiyunchin (both left and right sides) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 to 4; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill and jiyu kumite (free sparring against one opponent) Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, and Saifa kakie techniques Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Brown Belt | 2nd kyu | Minimum training time: 8-9 months or 80 sessions since the last grading Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far Kihon: Advanced kihon and ido kihon (good form and good power and proper hips engagement in all techniques both whether performed in stationary stances or when moving) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanchin Bunkai: show bunkai for Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin and Shisochin (both left and right sides) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 to 4; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill and jiyu kumite (free sparring against one and two opponents) Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, and Saifa kakie techniques Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Brown belt | 1st Kyu | Minimum training time: 9-10 months or 90 sessions since the last grading Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far Kihon: Advanced kihon and ido kihon (good form and good power and proper hips engagement in all techniques both whether performed in stationary stances or when moving) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, and Sanchin Bunkai: show bunkai for Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin and Shisochin (both left and right sides) Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 to 4; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill and jiyu kumite (free sparring against one and two opponents) Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, and Seiyunchin kakie techniques Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. |
Black belt | 1st Dan | Minimum training time: 10-11 months or 100 sessions since the last grading. You would have trained for around 5 years in total. However, some may be recommended for black belt grading with a minimum of 3 years of training in total due to previous martial art experience or exceptional talent and dedication. Karate terms: Japanese terms for stances and techniques learned so far including those in kata Kihon: Advanced kihon and ido kihon (displaying consistent good forms, good speed, good power and martial spirit in all techniques) Kata: Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin and Shisochin, Sanchin (with shime) including turning Sanchin Bunkai: demonstrating bunkai for all kata (Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni Saifa, Seiyunchin and Shisochin); both left and right sides are required Kumite: Sandan Gi number 1 to 4; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill and jiyu kumite (free sparring against one, two, three opponents); ten-man kumite variations Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa and Seiyunchin kakie techniques Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. Other requirements: participation in at least 3 regional, national, or international gasshukus during the brown belt period. |
Black belt | 2nd Dan | Minimum training time: A minimum of 2 years of training since Shodan grading. You would have trained for around 7 years in total Kihon: as requested by the examination committee Kata: all kata from Gekisai Dai Ichi to Sanseru plus Sanchin (with Shime) and Tensho Bunkai: demonstrating bunkai for all kata (Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, and Sanseru); both left and right sides are required Kumite: all Sandan Gi drills; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill; two-person Gekisai Dai Ni drill; full contact jiyu kumite or 10-man kumite variations as requested by the examination committee Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi to Shisochin kakie techniques Fitness: Push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, air squats, squat thrusts, star jumps, a mile run, etc. Other requirements: participation in at least 3 regional, national or international gasshukus since the last grading (excluding the gassuku where you attend to grade for Shodan) |
Black belt | 3rd Dan | Minimum training time: A minimum of 3 years of training since Shodan grading. You would have trained for at least 10 years to reach 3rd Dan Kihon: as requested by the examination committee Kata: all kata from Gekisai Dai Ichi to Sepai plus Sanchin (with shime) and Tensho Bunkai: demonstrating bunkai for all kata (Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, and Sepai); both left and right sides are required Kumite: all Sandan Gi drills; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill; two-person Gekisai Dai Ni drill; full contact sparring or 10-man kumite variations as requested by the examination committee; Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi to Sanseru kakie techniques Other requirements: participation in at least 4 regional, national or international gasshukus since the last grading (excluding the gassuku where you attend to grade for Nidan) |
Black belt | 4th Dan | Minimum training time: A minimum of 4 years of training since 3rd Dan grading. On average, you would have trained for about 15 years to reach 4th Dan Kihon: as requested by the examination committee Kata: all kata from Gekisai Dai Ichi to Kururunfa plus Sanchin (with Shime) and Tensho Bunkai: demonstrating bunkai for all kata (Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Sepai, and Kururunfa); both left and right sides are required Kumite: all Sandan Gi drills; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill; two-person Gekisai Dai Ni drill; full contact sparring or 10-man kumite variations as requested by the examination committee Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi to Sepai kakie techniques Other requirements: participation in at least 4 regional, national or international gasshukus since the last grading (excluding the gassuku where you attend to grade for Sandan) |
Black belt | 5th Dan | Minimum training time: A minimum of 5 years of training since 4th Dan grading. You would need to train for about 20 years to reach 5th Dan Kihon: as requested by the examination committee Kata: all kata from Gekisai Dai Ichi to Seisan plus Sanchin and Tensho Bunkai: demonstrating bunkai for all kata (Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Sepai, Kururunfa, and Seisan); both left and right sides are required Kumite: all Sandan Gi drills; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill; two-person Gekisai Dai Ni drill; full contact sparring or 10-man kumite variations as requested by the examination committee Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi to Kururunfa kakie techniques Other requirements: participation in at least 4 regional, national or international gasshukus since the last grading (excluding the gassuku where you attend to grade for Yondan) |
Black belt | 6th Dan | Minimum training time: A minimum of 5 years of training since 5th Dan grading. You would need to train for 25-30 years to reach 6th Dan Kihon: as requested by the examination committee Kata: all kata from Gekisai Dai Ichi to Suparunpei plus Sanchin and Tensho Bunkai: demonstrating bunkai for all kata (Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseru, Kururunfa, Sepai, Seisan, and Suparunpei); both left and right sides are required Kumite: all Sandan Gi drills; two-person Gekisai Dai Ichi drill; two-person Gekisai Dai Ni drill; full contact sparring or 10-man kumite variations as requested by the examination committee Kakie: Demonstrating Gekisai Dai Ichi to Seisan kakie techniques Other requirements: participation in at least 4 regional, national or international gasshukus since the last grading (excluding the gassuku where you attend to grade for Godan) |
Black belt | 7th to 10th Dan | Honorary Dan is usually awarded on the recommendation of the Chief Instructor or Executive Committee in recognition of the recipient’s outstanding contribution to martial arts |
This is really a great overview of what is expected for the different grades and the required katas .
Not sure about the mentioned minimum training times though. It is often unclear to me if it means the time since the last grading or in total. And then for the 1st dan it says “Minimum training time: 10-11 months or 100 sessions (minimum of 3 years of training in total). You would have trained for around 5 years in total”. So is it 3 years or 5 years in total?
Hi Rainer,
Thank you for your feedback. We’ve corrected the post to make it clear that it is the minimum amount of training time since the last grading.
If you add the training time required for each grading, it’d be about 5 years of training in total to get to shodan. However, some people with previous martial art training or have exceptional capability or talent may meet the requirement for black belt in a shorter period of time, hence the minimum of 3 years.
Please note that this is just one example to give a general overview of the grading system. Different schools have very different curriculum and grading requirements.
All the best
Sophia