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Section 1
: Rank and Title
1. What is the order of the belt system? |
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1. What is the order of the belt system? Where did colored belts come from?: The history of the rank belt…
Dragon Ranks: This is the belt progression for all Little Dragons (4-6 years old)
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Adult Ranks All students in the Juniors (7-10 year olds), Teens (11-14), and Adult (15 and up) classes are responsible to follow the same curriculum to earn their Black Belt.
2. What is a "Sempai"?
Sempai is a Japanese word, which translates to English as "Senior."
This is a title reserved for students who have attained the levels of
First or Second Degree Black Belt.
The word "Sempai" literally translates to "older brother" or "older sister" - not older in
terms of chronological age but in terms of experience. In its most traditional usage a "Sempai"
(pronounced SEM-pie) is a student whose rank is higher than your own, so (for example) someone
who has a purple belt would be a Sempai to someone who has a green belt. However, in our
discipline we use the term "Sempai" to denote a student who has achieved the rank of black belt
and continues his or her training. Therefore, anyone who has earned his or her black belt and
continues to train would hold the title of "Sempai".
3. What is a Sensei? At the level of Third Degree Black Belt (Sandan,) the student has earned the respected title of Sensei which literally means "teacher". A student has reached the level at which they can promote a student of their own to First Degree Black Belt (Shodan.)
4. What is a Renshi?
Renshi (Polished Practitioner) - When you are an advanced level of Third, Fourth,
and Fifth Degree Black Belt, and have practiced for more than 20 years, you may receive this title.
Basically, a Renshi is a "Sensei's Sensei." This means that at this level of Black Belt, a Renshi
is of rank to instruct Third Degree Black Belts. There is a third level of Third Degree Black Belt….
Sandan Ho, Sandan, and Sandan Renshi. In many other Okinawan and Japanese Karate systems, this rank
is actually fourth degree, however in the Elite Goju system, the third level of Third Degree Black
Belt is called Sandan Renshi. Renshi is a title reserved for instructors who have reached a higher
level of Third Degree Black Belt. It is also reserved for instructors who have reached Fourth and
Fifth Degree Black Belts. Sandan Renshi, Yodan Renshi, and Godan Renshi respectively.
5. What is a Kyoshi?
Kyoshi (Polished Teacher) - This title might be bestowed upon you when you are a
Sixth, Seventh of Eighth Degree Black Belt, are an accomplished teacher, and have practiced for at
least 25-30 years.
A Kyoshi is a "Renshi's Sensei," meaning that an instructor who has reached the level of Kyoshi is
of rank to instruct students up to the level of Third, Fourth, and Fifth Degree Black Belts.
Practitioners who have achieved the levels of Sixth Degree, Seventh Degree, and Eighth Degree Black
Belt have earned the honorific title of Kyoshi (key-oh-shee)
6. What is a Hanshi?
Hanshi (Polished Master) - At Ninth or Tenth Dan, after you have produced numerous
Renshi and Kyoshi and you have trained for a minimum of 40 years, you may receive this title.
If you were a candidate for the rank of Hanshi , or Grand Master level, you would have to have trained
for 40 years or more and be a minimum of 60 years of age. Ninth and Tenth Degree Black Belts aren't
actually Black Belts anymore. At this level the instructor is the highest ranking person in the system
and wears a Red Belt. This denotes a Master who has devoted an entire lifetime to the study, practice,
and teaching of the art.
7. What is a Shihan? Shihan (Master) - The title Shihan or Master, does not correspond with a specific rank. It is the title of the highest ranking Black Belt in a martial system.
8. How can you tell the difference between all of the titles and ranks?
The easiest way by far is to inspect the person's uniform and belt. (See Belt System)
Regardless of rank or title, all students' and instructors' uniforms have some similarities. All
uniforms have the Elite Goju Karate patch on the left lapel and the Cuccinello Dragon patch on the
right sleeve. All uniform tops should have the sleeves hemmed about half way between the elbow and
the wrist. All uniform pants should be hemmed just above the foot. Other than that, the differences
are as follows:
• Little Dragons wear an all white uniform. White gi pants, white gi top, and a belt which denotes rank
in the Little Dragon rank system.
Students who either earn the rank and title of Renshi, or, have earned the rank of Black Belt and
train in Shihan Cucciniello's full-contact class, wear white gi pants, black gi top, and their belt
which denotes their rank.
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