General overview of grades
This ladder is not yet attributed to a specific organisation. Federations differ in belt colours and time requirements.
10th Kyu – Orange Belt
Entry rank of Kyokushin karate. Focus on basic breathing, stability, and commitment.
Orange color represents the approaching sunrise. A time of new beginnings and determination.
9th Kyu – Orange Belt (Blue Stripe)
Understanding muscle mechanics. Refining hard stances and balance.
The stripe indicates the student is reaching toward the qualities of the blue belt – fluidity like water.
8th Kyu – Blue Belt
The level of fluidity. Ability to connect blocks with counterattacks without stiffness.
Blue represents the sky and water. It signifies adaptability, flexibility, and overcoming initial resistance.
7th Kyu – Blue Belt (Yellow Stripe)
Consolidating fluidity and adding elements of distance control (Maai).
Blue prepares to receive the rays of the yellow sun. Development of precision.
6th Kyu – Yellow Belt
The level of full commitment and concentration (Kime). Using hips to generate power.
Yellow symbolizes dawn, fiery energy, and growing physical and mental strength.
5th Kyu – Yellow Belt (Green Stripe)
Combining maximum striking power (Kime) with movement. Intense physical conditioning.
Combining the fire of yellow and the nature of green. Balance of explosiveness and calm.
4th Kyu – Green Belt
Level of awareness and control. Advanced kata, free contact sparring (Jiyu Kumite).
Green symbolizes growth. The practitioner grows not only physically but emotionally with respect.
3rd Kyu – Green Belt (Brown Stripe)
High student commitment. Mastering advanced breathing (Ibuki) and hard sparring.
The path to the roots of the tree. Transition from dynamic growth to stability.
2nd Kyu – Brown Belt
Level of wisdom and recognizing one's flaws. Pain tolerance and hard knockdown fighting.
Brown is the color of the earth. The student is deeply rooted and unbreakable.
1st Kyu – Brown Belt (Black Stripe)
Last step before mastery. Extreme test of endurance, tameshiwari (breaking) and willpower.
Black stripe absorbs the brown earth. Looking deeply into the true Kyokushin spirit (Osu no Seishin).
1st Dan – Black Belt (Senpai)
Beginning of a new path. Includes a brutal test: 10 consecutive fights against fresh opponents.
Black denotes hardness and maturity. 1 gold stripe represents the title of Senpai (Senior).
2nd Dan – Black Belt (Senpai)
Includes 20 fights (20-man kumite). Full involvement in teaching students.
Represented by two gold stripes on the belt.
3rd Dan – Black Belt (Sensei)
Gaining the official title of Sensei (Teacher). Test includes a brutal 30-man kumite.
Embodiment of the Ultimate Truth of Kyokushin. Three gold stripes.
4th Dan – Black Belt (Sensei)
Experienced national level teachers. 40-man kumite. Expanding the organization.
Represented by 4 gold stripes.
5th Dan – Black Belt (Shihan)
Earning the prestigious Shihan title. Test involves the terrifying 50-man kumite.
In Kyokushin, Shihan wears a black belt with 5 gold stripes.
6th Dan – Black Belt (Shihan)
International examiner. Awarded for significant contribution to the organization.
Black belt with 6 gold stripes.
7th Dan – Black Belt (Shihan)
Members of the technical and executive board.
Black belt with 7 gold stripes.
8th Dan – Black Belt (Shihan)
Highly respected global leaders of Kyokushin.
Black belt with 8 gold stripes.
9th Dan – Black Belt (Kancho)
Function of the director or global president of a specific Kyokushin branch (Kancho).
Black belt with 9 gold stripes.
10th Dan – Black Belt (Sosai)
Title reserved exclusively for the founder - Masutatsu Oyama.
Sosai wears a black belt with 10 gold stripes. Red belts are historically not worn in Kyokushin.