Belt Terms, help!

[InstructorJack]

Hi all! I'm a first kyu in Shoalin Kenpo karate, and have long been wondering what the "real terms" for the kyu/dan ranks are. When I say "real terms", I mean in the Japanese or Chinese language, I'm honestly not sure which. I've felt this is a gap in my knowledge of the art, and would be grateful if someone could help me out. Thanks!

[Zaine]

I can't speak for the Chinese systems, but in Japanese terminology you are an Ikkyu. Before that you were a Nikyu, and before that a Sankyu, and I think you get the idea after that. It's often just the number and "kyu." Similarly, when you get a black belt you are a Shodan. Afterwards you become a Nidan, then a Sandan, and so on. What your system uses will depend on whether or not they use Chinese or Japanese.

[Karate_John]

Yea, as Zaine said in the Japanese system it is Jukyu - Ikkyu or Rank 10 through 1 in English. The kyu-system is based on the one used for the Chinese game of GO.

You can think of Kyu ranks as "Student" Ranks, and Dan Ranks as "Graduate" Ranks.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Well for the kyu grades it is the number then followed by kyu (Ikkyu, Nikyu, Sankyu etc).

Dan grades Shodan, Nidan, Sandan etc.

[MatsuShinshii]

Hi all! I'm a first kyu in Shoalin Kenpo karate, and have long been wondering what the "real terms" for the kyu/dan ranks are. When I say "real terms", I mean in the Japanese or Chinese language, I'm honestly not sure which. I've felt this is a gap in my knowledge of the art, and would be grateful if someone could help me out. Thanks!

Hachikyu, Shechikyu, Rokkyu, Gokyu, Yonkyu, Sankyu, Nikyu, Ikkyu, Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan, Rokudan, Nanadan, Hachidan, Kudan/Kyudan, Judan.

[kaji78]

This post is very hel;pful. I have learns a lot about belt terms from here