BELT SYSTEM
We have recently taken on a few new students and one of the common beginner questions is about the coloured belt system and what the hierarchy is. This has prompted me to talk about the concept of the belt ranking system. Prior to Japanese martial arts expanding in to the western world, there wasn't any belt ranking system. The traditional system is referred to as Koryu licencing. The first licence a person receives is "Okuiri" and is an official welcoming to the school/art after a number of years of proven dedication. Next is Shomokuroku. This identifies that a person has reached a certain level, in certain techniques, and may teach others ONLY those techniques. Then comes Gomokuroku then Menkyo. Again, as with Shomokuroku, This identifies that a person has reached a certain level, in certain techniques, and may teach others ONLY those techniques. The final qualification is Menkyo Kaiden. This is given when the Headmaster, or Soke, identifies that the student has attain...