What is a Black Belt?

Belts & ranking standards differ from school to school, even in the same style. Some organizations strive to place certain standards at each rank, and we are certainly no different.

For me, and in our Direct Lineage, the Black Belt represents a degree of understanding that qualifies a student to teach the basics to a new generation. IT IS NOT THE END, BUT THE BEGINNING of a students true journey! At ShoDan, you have completed your first reading of the ‘book of PGN’… NOW, its time to study! We study by endeavoring to share what we have learned with others. It takes at least 5 years to progress from ShoDan to SanDan if you are teaching regularly. It is at SanDan that we earn the title of RenShi or ‘respected teacher’ … with that title, we can head our own class outside the direct supervision of our instructor(s). After RenShi, it takes 9 more years of continual teaching to earn your 5th degree and ShiHan title. Thats a total of 14 years TEACHING after recieving your ShoDan! Average of 5 years to ShoDan, and 14 years more to ShiHan! ShiHan is the title you must posess to lead your own family group. Its your Masters Degree… At ShiHan (5th Degree) you likely have a few of your black belt students teaching their own classes under your authority. You are a teacher of teachers.

The next honorific Title is KyoShi which is earned at 7th degree. I have been KyoShi in our organization for a year now, after 37 years of continual study and 34 years teaching.

The Highest Title in our organization is that of HanShi and can be earned at 8th degree. HanShi is the primary head and lead authority over an organization or related family groups. Our family group recognizes TWO living HanShi at the head of our organization. Al Horton (10th degree) & Al Bentley (8th degree). HanShi Bentley is the Active head while Horton, in his retirement still retains the title. Other notable affiliated teachers that we recognize are HanShi Dave Heaton (8th), HanShis Darin Yee and George Mattson (both 10th degree).

After HanShi, 8thDan the next 2 ranks recognize a lifetime of teaching committment to our system:

3 to 6 years to achieve ShoDan

Additional 5 years teaching to earn RenShi (3rdDan)

Additional 9 years teaching to earn ShiHan (5thDan)

Additional 13 years teaching to earn KyoShi (7thDan)

And 8 more years teaching to earn HanShi (8thDan)

*Each of these steps are based on time spent TEACHING after ShoDan because we understand that true understanding is earned by teaching others. Teaching forces us to look at ‘what we think we know’ from a multitude of different perspectives and THAT is how we grow.