Belt colors/stripes

[opr1945]

Who is in charge of choosing kyu belt colors or black belt stripes. Obviously, there is great variation. I can understand if one style has different rank insignia from another. But there seems to as much variance within a style as between styles. Some black belts have red stripes, gold stripes for each dan level, or a total of 3 stripes to cover 10 dan levels, or no stripes, or stripes of differing width, or even red or red/white belts, English writing or Kanji or both, or nothing on belt

Is it completely up to the owner of the dojo? Do federations require some standardization?

 

[Dirty Dog]

It's not the sort of thing organizations concern themselves with. Because it really doesn't matter.

 

[Cri70]

Who is in charge of choosing kyu belt colors or black belt stripes. Obviously, there is great variation. I can understand if one style has different rank insignia from another. But there seems to as much variance within a style as between styles. Some black belts have red stripes, gold stripes for each dan level, or a total of 3 stripes to cover 10 dan levels, or no stripes, or stripes of differing width, or even red or red/white belts, English writing or Kanji or both, or nothing on belt

Is it completely up to the owner of the dojo? Do federations require some standardization?

The JKA (Shotokan) as 10th clearly identified kyu levels, so 10 belt colors: https://www.jka.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/b98c5e1514acc9fe91bbbc4b2fcb79f2.pdf

Other organizations may do differently, and independent dojos even more so.

 

[opr1945]

I just thought that perhaps within national/international Federations/Organizations their might be some consistency. But, I have noticed in videos that even among videos that profess to be the same style there is considerable variation. But apparently not.

But, it is all educational for me, at least. Thanks.

 

[Haruhiko]

Who is in charge of choosing kyu belt colors or black belt stripes. Obviously, there is great variation. I can understand if one style has different rank insignia from another. But there seems to as much variance within a style as between styles. Some black belts have red stripes, gold stripes for each dan level, or a total of 3 stripes to cover 10 dan levels, or no stripes, or stripes of differing width, or even red or red/white belts, English writing or Kanji or both, or nothing on belt

Is it completely up to the owner of the dojo? Do federations require some standardization?

In TKD, it's fairly unregulated until you reach dan rank. From then on in, your gradings involve whatever organisation your dojang is affiliated with. I was graded by my 4th dan coach until I reached cho-dan-bo (red belt with black stripes, before my probationary black belt). After that, the WTF was involved and officials were sent to oversee our cohort's gradings from 1st to 3rd.

This was ten or so years ago, so things might be more independent now but back then it was required for us to set a certain date, perform the poomsae, and be graded in a very standardised way.

 

[Dirty Dog]

In TKD, it's fairly unregulated until you reach dan rank. From then on in, your gradings involve whatever organisation your dojang is affiliated with. I was graded by my 4th dan coach until I reached cho-dan-bo (red belt with black stripes,

The literal translation of chodanbo is "half a black belt". It's used to signify a black belt candidate or probationary black belt.

before my probationary black belt). After that, the WTF was involved and officials were sent to oversee our cohort's gradings from 1st to 3rd.

No they weren't. WT (name was changed years ago) does not have anything to do with promotions. Never has.

 

[Haruhiko]

The literal translation of chodanbo is "half a black belt". It's used to signify a black belt candidate or probationary black belt.

Yes?

No they weren't. WT (name was changed years ago) does not have anything to do with promotions. Never has.

Yes they were.
WTF oversaw grading standards to ensure consistenty across gradings. For dan ranks, Kukkiwon, the certification authority under WTF, was indeed involved.

 

[Haruhiko]

Accidentally double posted.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Yes they were.
WTF oversaw grading standards to ensure consistenty across gradings. For dan ranks, Kukkiwon, the certification authority under WTF, was indeed involved.

Nonsense. WT has nothing to do with ranks. If you claim otherwise, please show us an example of a rank certificate issued by WT. Nor is the KKW "under" WT.

 

[Haruhiko]

Nonsense. WT has nothing to do with ranks. If you claim otherwise, please show us an example of a rank certificate issued by WT. Nor is the KKW "under" WT.

Well mine are in storage but you can find a rank certificate that has both the ATA (ATF at the time, I believe) stamp along with the KKW and WTF stamp.

Happy hunting, and remember to breathe.

 

[HighKick]

Yes?



Yes they were.
WTF oversaw grading standards to ensure consistenty across gradings. For dan ranks, Kukkiwon, the certification authority under WTF, was indeed involved.

The is completely and totally backwards.

 

[SirKicksAlot]

Is it completely up to the owner of the dojo? Do federations require some standardization?

When I studied Shotokan it was just white and brown at the Kyu levels and black at the dan levels. My Soo Bahk Do was White, Orange, Green, Red, Midnight Blue. My TaeKwonDo was 10 different colors until black. My Hapkido had 5 color belts with each one also attaining a stripe on it before black. I think it is up to the organization to make up their own path and any schools connected with that particular organization adhere to that scheme. An individual school is free to make up whatever they want.