Kenka Juku

 MEANING OF THE BELT STRIPES

Motivation Tips

1st Tip = Basic knowledge (Tie the obi & fold karategi, recite dojo kun, basic techniques, respects superiors)

2nd Tip = Conditioning (Completing exercises and drills as directed by instructors, never giving up)

Rank Tips Rank tips are colored with the same color of the coming belt.

3rd Tip = Kata (Performance of kata, basic knowledge of bunkai)

4th Tip = Goshin Jitsu (Personal defensive techniques)

5th Tip = Kumite (Must have 3 inner dojo fights. Fights at tournaments are accepted)

Ohio Karate Union:Kyokushinken

Kenka Juku 

The meanings of the Obi 

Beginner / White Belt (Purity - New Beginning)

 A new student's heart is full of hope. You have the willingness to learn. The white belt is the symbol of purity but purity is lost as soon as the first exercise is performed in the dojo. The pristine color is gone forever through sweat and dust and the journey through the color spectrum begins. There is no shame in being a white belt. the instructor is aware of this because he / she has been a white belt. In the Honbu dojo in Japan, while under Sosai Mas Oyama, the tradition was that the white belt live-in students would shave their heads as a sign of their dedeication. The third year, newly graduated, and now blackbelts, also did this to indicate humility, symbolizing the return to the spirit of a beginner.

10th & 9th kyu/ Orange Belt (Dedication & Stability)

With dedication your whole life can be changed, you will be recognized, for this is your first step onto the new path that you have chosen and the beginning of a great journey. Stability and control of the body, feel the correct posture, power, and progress, built on a solid foundation. You learn to focus your power by concentrating. This is the first level where training begins to concentrate the psychological aspects of trianing. It is here where the karate-ka must begin to develop power and speed when performing techniques.

8th & 7th kyu / Blue Belt (Fluidity & Adaptability)

 Water adapts and reacts fluidly. With improved strength and supplness, accept the long journey ahead. train with energetic vigor. The karate-ka begins to work on the upper body strength, flexibility, and coordination. You learn to overcome the urge to "Take it easy". You begin to feel the benefits of your training with an increased sense of well-being.

 6th & 5th kyu / Yellow Belt (Assertion)

 Now awarness, perception, and assertion begin. Forge a resolute spirit. The karate-ka must tyake control of mind and body.Not showing pain and exaustion during training or sparring, not wiping the sweat of ones nose because and not yawning despite the extreme tiredness etc...

4th & 3rd kyu / Green Belt (Emotion & Sensitivity)

Air, the emotional heart, in patience and humility is where balance is found, a new strength and

the way forward. Green belt is the stepping off point, the first level of the senior colors. With concentration now centered at the heart, the karate-ka is more aware of the impotance of benevolence and compassion. The green belt learns to accept others for what they are by being aware that in relation to all things, there is more to it then meets the eye. The green belt realizes that power without wisdom and compassion is destructive and dangerous.

2nd & 1st kyu / Brown Belt (Creativity & Practicality)

Creativity, timing, and sensitivity combine to express the character and reflect the training, self realization leads to consciousness. By now, one should be very strong and very comfortable in the execution of all techniques, whilst continuing to strive to achieve ever higher levels of skill. In sparring, the ability to control a junior opponent thought timing, distance control and sensitivity, should be highly developed. The brown belt strengthens his faith and resolve in his own path by studying the paths of others, taking note of their strong and weak points and adjusting his own attitudes accordingly.  

Shodan - Black Belt  (Achievment - New Beginning)

Equipped with a basic ability and understanding, your journey begins. The step from brown belt to black belt is the most important in the life of the karate-ka. Practice in techniques should now be for the purpose of fine tuning. Black, like white, occurs rarely in nature and is often not regarded as a color as such. This is the color of spirit. Black is the color of strength.  The black belt is the strongest of all karate-ka, and no colored belt can cover him. Like the white belt that gradually became black, his black belt slowly fades, becomes frayed at the edges, and turns white again. Thus, the circle is inevitably complete; the master becomes the student once more. Seeking the ultimate truth is the only way.