seems like it huh, well they would have to create a new system so i dont think sometimes that they have real bearing to become a grandmaster, but some do
white blue 1 stripe 2 stripes green 1 stripe 2 stripes brown 1 stripe 2stripes black 1st through 5th dan checkered red and white 6th through 8th dan red 9th and 10th
to get: blue: pinan sho 1 stripe: pinan ni 2 stripe: matsamura bo sho green: seisan 1 stripe: wansu 2 stripe: naihanchi sho, matsumura bo ni brown: naihanchi ni, anaku no sai and not sure after that, no one in my school has achieved over these rans
your your own biggest critic, or maybe your teacher gave it to you before you were ready, but just work harder so that fro your next belt you feel that you have earned it 110%
full contact, only gloves. when you get you green belt you start to go for the head, groin and sweeps. the only time you wear headgear is when you are sparring for you green belt test