- NEWSWIRE ARCHIVES
- ABOUT THE PROGRAM
- INSTRUCTORS
- ROSTER
- REQUIREMENTS
- SCHEDULE & EVENTS
- TOURNAMENTS
- AWARDS
- LINKS
- SHOP
- ARCADE
- CHAT ROOM
- CONTACT
- MTHS
- VILLAGE OF METAMORA
This is the belt system for Metamora Martial Arts. With the way the program is set up, students who start as freshmen should be able to earn their black belt by the time they graduate high school. However, that all depends on the student; it is not a guarantee.
At each rank, you will need to earn three stripes before being promoted. The stripes are an easier way to organize promoting. As the student goes up in rank, it becomes more of an individual effort than in the group setting at the lower ranks. When the student gets to red/black belt, (s)he will spend a minimum of six months reviewing everything they have learned to prepare to become a shodan.
For the colored belts (the kyus), their Japanese name 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. White belt is eight ranks away, so it uses the Japanese number hachi.
For black 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.
Click one of the following links to see requirements...
High School & Adult
Grade School
All students, regardless of age, should find these workout links helpful in their daily training. You are more than welcome to post your workout routine at the Forums!
Beginner (White belts)
Intermediate (Yellow through Brown belts)
Advanced (Brown belts and up)
High School and Adult Requirements
White Belt (hachikyu)
The white belt's lack of color symbolizes innocence and purity. There is no knowledge of karate yet.
Click here to download yellow belt requirements, and click here for questions you should know before earning your yellow belt!
This document explains your lineage in the Shuri-Ryu system; visit this thread to have some things explained.
White belts must also know our Dojo Kun, or school creed...
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.
Yellow Belt (sichikyu)
Yellow symbolizes the color of the rising sun, which allows for new seeds to germinate and grow. Basic techniques are starting to be learned.
Click here to download green belt requirements!
Yellow belts can also start to familiarize themselves with Japanese terminology in regards to body parts.
Green Belt (rokukyu)
The green belt symbolizes the color of nature driving upward. Techniques begin to take form and power begins to develop.
Click here for Anaku movements, and click here for knowledge to think about for blue belt!
Blue Belt (gokyu)
Blue is the color of the sky that growing things are reaching.
Purple Belt (yonkyu)
Purple is the color of the deep sky. Here, mental and physical power begins to stabilize.
Brown Belt (sankyu)
Brown is the color of the dirt in which growing things are rooted.
Red Belt (nikyu)
The red belt symbolizes the color of blood, which is the essential force of life.
Red/Black Belt(ikkyu)
The blood begins to mix with all previous colors. Perfection of character begins to be exhibited by maturity, honor, and respect.
Black Belt (dan)
All previous colors have combined in the final stage, where mastery of technique is reflected by calm dignity and sincerity. This is the platform for a whole new level of training.
Grade School Requirements
This is the belt system for the grade schools. It is slightly different than the high school's. Here is the list and what the student needs to do to earn his or her next rank.
Click here for the Grade School Handbook!
The Grade School Handbook provides the necessary information to attain a green belt.
Also, students should be familiar with our Dojo Kun, or school creed...
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.
White Belt
The student must complete all of the white belt requirements (with a group).
Yellow Belt
The student must do everything (s)he did for white belt, but they must be able to do it by themselves.
Starting from here, the solid color belt will be for new techniques, kata, and wazas. They must be able to run them in a group. Solid colors with black stripes must do all movements by themselves and work 2nd and 3rd level interpretation on forms and wazas.