Information AboutKyu |
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''Kyu'' (級) is a Japanese term used in Martial Arts , Chado , Ikebana , Go , Shogi and in other similar activities to designate various degrees or levels of proficiency or experience. In Japanese martial arts kyu-level practitioners hold the ranks below black belt. The kyu ranking system varies from art to art and school to school: while in some arts, all the kyu-level practitioners wear white belts, other arts use different coloured belts, tags or stripes to mark kyu grades, although coloured belts are not widely used in Japan itself. Kendo and Bujinkan are exceptions where rank is not visually (by a belt or otherwise) identified. It is therefore up to the Sensei to know his students' levels. Using only white belts for kyu is more traditional, but many schools have found the identification of each grade useful to help training progress; a higher belt is something to aim for, whilst identifying a higher grade makes it easier to group beginners with beginners or with someone more experienced as the exercise merits. Kyu-level practitioners are traditionally called mudansha, "ones without Dan " and are considered as initiates rather than students - they only achieve that title once they have reached the ranking of 1st Dan . VARIATIONS AMONGST DIFFERENT SCHOOLS Although most Western schools have some form of Kyu ranking system, the number and colour can vary between schools. What seems to remain constant is that the lowest kyu is white, whereas the highest is brown. See also: Go Ranks And Ratings . |
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