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# Belt Ranks and Titles

“I come to you with only Karate, empty hands, I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong; then here are my weapons, karate, my empty hands.”

# Belt Ranks

## Under Belt Ranks

Click on the links below to go to the individual lesson pages for each belt rank. If you wish to go directly to the requirement material you can link there through the under belt requirements page directly.

- - Shokyū Denshi (初級弟子) - Beginner Students
    - 10 Jyuu Kyuu (十級) - White Belt
    - 9 Kyuu Kyuu (九級) - Beige Belt/Black Stripe
    - 8 Hatchi Kyuu (八級) - Yellow Belt
    - 7 Sitchi Kyuu (七級) - Orange Belt
      - “I understand that I am but a beginner in a new and fascinating art which will direct me to greater obligations and responsibilities. To honor my obligations and responsibilities I pledge myself to serve my instructor, fellow students, and fellow men.”
  - Chūkyū Denshi (中級弟子) - Intermediate Students
    - 6 Roku Kyuu (六級) - Purple Belt
      - “I hold the art of Kenpo sacred and freely take upon myself the obligation and responsibility that I shall never misuse my skill to hurt or make afraid. I shall fight only if forced to defend myself and shall be slow to anger, loath to take offense, quick to forgive, and to forget personal affront”
    - 5 Go Kyuu (五級) - Blue Belt
      - “I shall never let pride rule my passions and will defend, with all the skill I possess, the weak, the helpless, and the oppressed. I pledge an unending effort to earn the self-same loyalty from those who look to me for training.”
    - 4 Yon Kyuu (四級) - Dark Blue/Black Stripe
    - 3 San Kyuu (三級) - Green Belt
      - “I pledge a continued effort to sharpen my skills, to increase my knowledge, and to broaden my horizons. I shall obligate myself under the direction of my instructor to learn the skills of a teacher which will enable me to teach my skills in the prescribed manner outlined by Mr. Ed Parker.”
  - Jōkyū Denshi (上級弟子) - Advanced Students
    - 2 Ni Kyuu (二級) - Brown Belt
      - “I pledge that as my skill as a teacher progresses I will never condemn, ridicule, embarrass or shame any student or fellow instructor in the presence of a class or group. All grievances or disputes shall be conducted in private away from group observation.”
    - 1 Ii-Kyuu (一級) - Red Belt
      - “I understand that like a doctor, the private affairs of students and fellow instructors that come to my attention during the exercising of my responsibilities are privilege communications and must never be discussed with any living soul. I vow that I will never violate this pledge nor any other for the sake of personal benefit.”
    - Jun-Ichidan (準一段) - Red Belt/Black Stripe
      - “I honor and hold sacred the right of all men to protect themselves. I further hold that as a trained Martial Artist in Kenpo I will take upon myself all obligations and responsibilities deemed sacred to my God, family, country and Association.”

## Black Belt Ranks

“I hold that my time and my skill are the assets of my profession, assets which grow in value as I progress in the Art until, as a Third Degree Black Belt, I stand as a fully qualified instructor. It shall also be my responsibility to protect any student from ravenous individuals who would try to take advantage of personal weaknesses to divest the gullible into unprofitable paths, to preserve the sacred things, God, family, country and Association, I pledge my all.”

- - Shodan (初段) - Black Belt one Gold Stripe
  - Nidan (弐段) - Black Belt two Gold Stripes
  - Sandan (参段) - Black Belt three Gold Stripes
  - Yondan (四段) - Black Belt four Gold Stripes
  - Godan (五段) - Black Belt five Gold Stripes
  - Rokudan (六段) - Black Belt six Gold Stripes
  - Shichidan (七段) - Black Belt seven Gold Stripes
  - Hachidan (八段) - Black Belt eight Gold Stripes

# Official Titles

- - Heika (陛下) - International President
  - Denka (殿下) - National President
  - Hidenka (妃殿下) Regional President
  - Kacho (課長) School President
  - Tatsujin (達人) CMATOS Mastery Belt - Silver Belt (Honary Belt bestowed by the CMATOS board of directors)

# Instructors

- - Soke (宗家) Head of the System - Only one at a time
  - Shihan (師範) Master Instructor of Instructors - At least 7th Dan
  - Hanshi (範士) Senior Instructor - At least 6th Dan
  - Kyōshi (教士) Advanced Instructor - At least 5th Dan
  - Renshi (錬士) Expert Instructor - At least 4th Dan
  - Sensei (先生) Instructor - Must be at least 2nd Dan

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