Kyu
Encyclopedia
kjuː is a Japanese
term used in martial arts
, chadō
, ikebana
, go
, shogi
such as Japanese traditional culture, and academic tests and in other similar activities to designate various grades or levels or class of proficiency or experience. In China
, kyū (級) is called "ji", and it is used for academic tests.
, the founder of Judo
, established the system of Dan
ranking to measure the Judo practitioners' ability. This system was referred to the Dan ranking system of Go
which is a board game. Some organizations of academic tests started Kyū ranking system to measure the candidates' ability.
On the other hand, Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo
started ranking system with using Kyū to measure the police officers' ability of Japanese sword arts
. There were from 8th to 1st. At this time, dan and kyū are at the same level.
In the end of 1890s, the Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society
introduced dan and kyū ranking system to other martial arts in Japan
.
, kyū-level practitioners hold the ranks below dan
or black belt
. The kyū ranking system varies from art to art and school to school. In some arts, all the kyū-level practitioners wear white belts while in others different coloured belts, tags or stripes are used; in kendo
and aikido
there are not usually external indicators of grade. Although some aikido schools do use a coloured belt system the norm is for kyū grades to wear a white belt, and for dan grades to wear a black belt.
Kyū-level practitioners are often called , "ones without dan" and are considered as initiates rather than students. When practitioners have reached the ranking of first degree black belt, they become . The holder of a black belt of any degree is a , "one with dan".
are not only issuers, but the organizations of academic tests also issue Kyū grading system and dan
ranking system. Some organizations of academic tests started Kyū ranking system to measure the candidates' ability. For instance, the Japanese Kanji
Aptitude Test Association issue the gradings from 10th to 1st Kyū, and it also provides Pre-1st and Pre 2nd Kyū.
refer to the kyū ranks entirely in Japanese. Kyū ranks progress takes descending order system, so 1st kyū is the highest. For example, the first kyū outranks the 2nd kyū. Dan
ranking system starts after 1st kyū.
Pre-1st kyū and Pre-2nd kyū are used in examinations of languages because it is often hard to pass the examinations at 1st and 2nd kyū.
The lowest kyū is sometimes called "Mukyū"(無級) which means "Non-Grade" in English. The lowest kyū depends on organizations. For instance, United States Judo Federation
(USJF) provides 12th kyū is the lowest grade for junior class, and 7th kyū is the lowest for adult class.
In Japan, the difficulty is classified to 3 categories as the following list.
too. Kyū (級) in China is called "ji" (same character different pronunciation), and 1st kyu is the lowest as same as descending order. For example, Chinese language test certified HSK
explains 6th ji is the highest grade.
or black belt
, while in others a range of color is used for different kyū grades. The wearing of coloured belts is often associated with kyū ranks, particularly in modern martial arts such as karate
and judo
(where the practice originated). However, there is no standard association of belt colours with particular ranks and, different schools and organizations assign colours independently, see judo for examples of variation within an art. However, white is often the lowest ranked belt and brown is the highest kyū rank, and it is common to see the darker colors associated with the higher ranks, i.e. the closest to black belt.
The system of using different colored belts to mark rank is not universally accepted in the martial arts, some (like Kyudo) seeing colored belts as frivolous, as anyone without at least a first-level black belt is still very much learning the basics. Supporters of the belt colors, usually the more competitive styles, point out the use as a simple visual key for experience, such as in matching opponents for sparring
, allowing opponents to somewhat accurately judge each other's skill, and to split them for competitions.
Those who oppose the use of coloured belts are also often concerned that students will worry too much about relative rank, and become arrogant with trivial promotions and differences, while supporters feel that by providing small signs of success and recognition, students are more confident, and their training is more structured, and that the ranking system encourages higher ranked students to assist lower ranked ones, and lower ranked students to respect their seniors.
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
term used in martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
, chadō
Japanese tea ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called . The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called...
, ikebana
Ikebana
is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as .-Etymology:"Ikebana" is from the Japanese and . Possible translations include "giving life to flowers" and "arranging flowers".- Approach :...
, go
Go (board game)
Go , is an ancient board game for two players that originated in China more than 2,000 years ago...
, shogi
Shogi
, also known as Japanese chess, is a two-player board game in the same family as Western chess, chaturanga, and Chinese Xiangqi, and is the most popular of a family of chess variants native to Japan...
such as Japanese traditional culture, and academic tests and in other similar activities to designate various grades or levels or class of proficiency or experience. In China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, kyū (級) is called "ji", and it is used for academic tests.
History
In 1882, Kanō JigorōKano Jigoro
was the founder of judo. Judo was the first Japanese martial art to gain widespread international recognition, and the first to become an official Olympic sport. Pedagogical innovations attributed to Kanō include the use of black and white belts, and the introduction of dan ranking to show the...
, the founder of Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, established the system of Dan
Dan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
ranking to measure the Judo practitioners' ability. This system was referred to the Dan ranking system of Go
Go (board game)
Go , is an ancient board game for two players that originated in China more than 2,000 years ago...
which is a board game. Some organizations of academic tests started Kyū ranking system to measure the candidates' ability.
On the other hand, Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
started ranking system with using Kyū to measure the police officers' ability of Japanese sword arts
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
. There were from 8th to 1st. At this time, dan and kyū are at the same level.
In the end of 1890s, the Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society
Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
is a Japanese martial arts organization established in 1895 in Kyoto, Japan, under the authority of the Ministry of Education and sanction of the Emperor Meiji. Its purpose, at that time, was to standardize martial disciplines and systems throughout Japan. This was the first official martial arts...
introduced dan and kyū ranking system to other martial arts in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Martial arts usage
In Japanese martial artsJapanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...
, kyū-level practitioners hold the ranks below dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
or black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
. The kyū ranking system varies from art to art and school to school. In some arts, all the kyū-level practitioners wear white belts while in others different coloured belts, tags or stripes are used; in kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
and aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
there are not usually external indicators of grade. Although some aikido schools do use a coloured belt system the norm is for kyū grades to wear a white belt, and for dan grades to wear a black belt.
Kyū-level practitioners are often called , "ones without dan" and are considered as initiates rather than students. When practitioners have reached the ranking of first degree black belt, they become . The holder of a black belt of any degree is a , "one with dan".
Academic tests usage
The organizations of Martial artsMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
are not only issuers, but the organizations of academic tests also issue Kyū grading system and dan
Dan
Dan is a name. It refers sometimes to the short form of the name Daniel. Dan, or the acronym DAN may refer to the following:Persons* Fyodor Dan, a Russian Marxist revolutionary...
ranking system. Some organizations of academic tests started Kyū ranking system to measure the candidates' ability. For instance, the Japanese Kanji
Kanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
Aptitude Test Association issue the gradings from 10th to 1st Kyū, and it also provides Pre-1st and Pre 2nd Kyū.
List of Kyū ranks
Some martial artsMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
refer to the kyū ranks entirely in Japanese. Kyū ranks progress takes descending order system, so 1st kyū is the highest. For example, the first kyū outranks the 2nd kyū. Dan
Dan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
ranking system starts after 1st kyū.
Pre-1st kyū and Pre-2nd kyū are used in examinations of languages because it is often hard to pass the examinations at 1st and 2nd kyū.
| Grade | Pronunciation | Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Highest) | Ikkyū | 1級 / 一級 |
| Pre 1st | Jun-Ikkyū | 準1級 / 準一級 |
| 2nd | Nikyū | 2級 / 二級 |
| Pre 2nd | Jun-Nikyū | 準2級 / 準二級 |
| 3rd | Sankyū | 3級 / 三級 |
| 4th | Yonkyū | 4級 / 四級 |
| 5th | Gokyū | 5級 / 五級 |
| 6th | Rokkyū | 6級 / 六級 |
| 7th | Nanakyū | 7級 / 七級 |
| 8th | Hakkyū / Hachikyu | 8級 / 八級 |
| 9th | Kyūkyū | 9級 / 九級 |
| 10th | Jukkyū | 10級 / 十級 |
| Non-Grade | Mukyū | 無級 |
The lowest kyū is sometimes called "Mukyū"(無級) which means "Non-Grade" in English. The lowest kyū depends on organizations. For instance, United States Judo Federation
United States Judo Federation
The United States Judo Federation is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting judo in the United States. Its national office is located in Ontario, Oregon. In 2007 it will sanction competitions and tournaments in at least nine different states....
(USJF) provides 12th kyū is the lowest grade for junior class, and 7th kyū is the lowest for adult class.
In Japan, the difficulty is classified to 3 categories as the following list.
| Grade | Pronunciation | Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | Jōkyū | 上級 |
| Middle | Chūkyū | 中級 |
| Beginning | Shokyū | 初級 |
Kyū ranks in China
The grading system of Kyū is imported to ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
too. Kyū (級) in China is called "ji" (same character different pronunciation), and 1st kyu is the lowest as same as descending order. For example, Chinese language test certified HSK
HSK
HSK may refer to:*The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi , a standardized test of Mandarin Chinese*Horrendous Space Kablooie, a Calvin and Hobbes reference to the Big Bang, a figure skating club in Finland*Auxiliary cruiser or HSK, a German cruiser ship...
explains 6th ji is the highest grade.
Coloured belts
In some styles, students wear white belts until they receive their first dan rankDan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
or black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
, while in others a range of color is used for different kyū grades. The wearing of coloured belts is often associated with kyū ranks, particularly in modern martial arts such as karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
(where the practice originated). However, there is no standard association of belt colours with particular ranks and, different schools and organizations assign colours independently, see judo for examples of variation within an art. However, white is often the lowest ranked belt and brown is the highest kyū rank, and it is common to see the darker colors associated with the higher ranks, i.e. the closest to black belt.
The system of using different colored belts to mark rank is not universally accepted in the martial arts, some (like Kyudo) seeing colored belts as frivolous, as anyone without at least a first-level black belt is still very much learning the basics. Supporters of the belt colors, usually the more competitive styles, point out the use as a simple visual key for experience, such as in matching opponents for sparring
Sparring
Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is essentially relatively 'free-form' fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely...
, allowing opponents to somewhat accurately judge each other's skill, and to split them for competitions.
Those who oppose the use of coloured belts are also often concerned that students will worry too much about relative rank, and become arrogant with trivial promotions and differences, while supporters feel that by providing small signs of success and recognition, students are more confident, and their training is more structured, and that the ranking system encourages higher ranked students to assist lower ranked ones, and lower ranked students to respect their seniors.