Requirements for Promotion
Even more important than what color belt one displays, it is necessary to follow a code of conduct. A Dojo Kun is a school creed to help guide martial artists.
Metamora Martial Arts Dojo Kun
I will behave in a manner that will reflect honor upon myself and my school.
I will be open-minded to the study of all martial arts and will never stop learning and seeking new knowledge.
I will work to develop a sense of community, trust, and respect with my fellow karate-ka and my teachers.
I will be humble with my karate knowledge and utilize it only in fair competition or in the defense of my life, my loved ones, or my country.
Our Belts and Requirements
Requirements specific to the high school program
Requirements specific to the grade school program
The colored belts (the kyu belts), in Japanese, will be a Japanese number (or a form of it) followed by kyu. The numbers go according to how far they are away from the rank of shodan, or first-degree black belt. For example, red/black is one rank away from black, so it uses a form of the Japanese name for "one," ichi, to form the term ikkyu. White belt is eight ranks away, so it uses the Japanese number hachi to make the white belt a hachi-kyu.
For black belts (the dan belts), the counting is normal (1, 2, 3, etc.) instead of backwards. For each degree, it takes about that many years to attain. After you reach shodan, it will take a minimum of two more years to reach nidan, or second-degree black belt. For third-degree, three years -- and so on.
For specific requirements regarding each belt, see Sensei Chianakas.