Every new student of Grace Martial Arts begins as a White Belt in Yon Ch’uan Martial Arts. Each belt and stripe includes a memory verse and character qualities and martial arts techniques. The time between belt testings below Black Belt is usually three months of continual classes.
If a student comes into the GMA program and has previous martial arts experience and proof of rankings (certificates, letters from previous instructors, etc.), they may be promoted more rapidly in Yon Ch’uan. The final decision about ranking and testing is determined by your GMA instructor.
We want children to be strong of body, mind and spirit. Each class begins with prayer and a time of exercise for health and fitness. Children will learn about showing respect to their parents, teachers and fellow students.
Students will receive a certificate and colored belt with each new numbered kyu or dan rank. They will receive a stripe on their colored belt between numbered rankings.
Download the Yon Ch’uan Martial Arts Black Belt Study Guide here
Our prayer is the time students spend thinking about God’s Word, becoming like Christ and learning to defend themselves and others with honor and integrity will become an important part of how God builds their life and prepares them for the mission He has for them.
Ranks
‘Rank’ in Yon Ch’uan is based on the ‘Kyudan’ system. The idea of ‘Rank’ is similar to ‘Grade’ or ‘Class.’ Rank denotes where you are in the process of learning the martial art you are studying. Kyu ranks are known as ‘Junior ranks’ (Kohai), while Dan ranks are known as ‘Senior ranks’ (Sempai/Senpai). This is based on mutual respect. (A Sempai can also be a higher Kyu rank than the student they may be helping depending on the size and needs of the class.) A Sempai demonstrates respect for the Kohai by assisting them in learning new techniques or improving the ones they know. The Kohai demonstrates respect to the Sempai for the time and effort they give in helping the Kohai. As one Karate instructor said to me when I was a young teen – ‘Karate begins and ends with respect. Everything we do in between is respect.’ I’ll never forget that sage advice. Respect one another. Help one another.
We use the 10/10 system for ranking – 10 Kyu ranks and 10 Dan ranks. Some arts use less or more ranks, but the 10/10 system is widely recognized across the world. Kyu ranks include a variety of colors (e.g. white, yellow, gold, orange, blue, etc), while Dan ranks are primarily Black in color (more on that in a few minutes).
Each rank has both an English and a Japanese name. For example, a Blue Belt is known as a 7th Kyu. The Japanese name is Shichi-kyu. However, a Purple Belt is known as a 6th Kyu – Japanese name Roko-kyu. The Japanese names are based on the Japanese numbering system. The highest Kyu rank is Brown Belt 1 – 1st Kyu (Ik-kyu). A Brown Belt 1 has two stripes on their belt. When you see someone wearing that belt, you know they are preparing for their Black Belt exam. They should also be more involved in helping lower Kyu ranks grow in their martial abilities. Black Belt exams are much more involved than Kyu rank tests, so preparing for them can take longer.
Testing for higher Kyu ranks may also take longer than every three months. You can see what is involved for Brown 1 testing on page 30 of the Black Belt Study Guide. The Study Guide states that “Belt advancement will be based on higher skill proficiency on all previously learned techniques.” That is true for all belt rank levels, but becomes even more important as you approach testing for Black Belt.
Grace Martial Arts usually tests Kyu ranks three times a year, though testing for higher Kyu ranks may occur less often. Summer sessions are an excellent opportunity to work on areas that may help you advance more quickly in the next official school year. Those decisions are at the discretion of your Instructor. Our desire is to promote you as quickly as possible while ensuring that you are able to demonstrate the fundamentals (Kihon), forms (Kata), self-defense skills (Kumite), and focus (Kime) that are in keeping with expectations of Yon Ch’uan principles and practices.
Once you earn a 1st Degree Black Belt (Sho-dan), you become eligible to train and test for Assistant Instructor. You will be promoted to Assistant Instructor when your Instructor believes you are ready. That could be at the level of 1st Degree Black Belt or 2nd Degree Black Belt. Training to become an Assistant Instructor includes perfecting your skills in Yon Ch’uan, learning new skills as directed by your Instructor, and successfully assisting your Instructor in teaching and mentoring Kyu rank students. Assistant Instructor is not a rank. It is a title. More about that in a few minutes.
If you are Kyu rank, you are part of a group known in Japanese as ‘Mudansha.’ If you are a Dan rank below Master level, you are part of a group known as ‘Yudansha.’ If you are a Dan rank of Mastery level, you are part of a group known as ‘Kodansha.’
The number of years between Dan rank promotions depends on your progress in the Art. Some martial arts systems use a system based on the degree you are working towards: two years for 2nd Degree, three years for 3rd Degree, four years for 4th Degree, five years for 5th Degree, etc. Yon Ch’uan may or may not move Black Belts along that quickly. The ability to demonstrate higher levels of martial competence, commitment to Yon Ch’uan and Grace Martial Arts’ principles and goals, and ability to teach Yon Ch’uan are all taken into consideration. Black Belt candidates are invited to speak with their Instructor to discuss expectations and the process.
I might add that Instructors are available and open to discuss the ranking process with students of all grades (Kyu and Dan). We love our students!
Titles
As I mentioned earlier, an Assistant Instructor is a title rather than a rank. Assistant Instructor is awarded at some point after earning a 1st Degree Black Belt.
You will notice at the bottom of the promotional certificate you receive the names, ranks, and titles of three people: Robert Xavier, Mark Fisher, and Mark McGee. The titles are not rank specific, but give some indication of the responsibilities each of us have in Yon Ch’uan. Robert Xavier is Grand Master, Mark Fisher is an Instructor, and Mark McGee is a Senior Instructor.
All of us have the title of ‘Sensei,’ which means ‘teacher, instructor, one gone on before.’ That’s what we do – we teach, instruct, and mentor students. Senseis with higher ranks also have other titles, including Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. A Renshi may be awarded to a 5th or 6th Dan. Kyoshi may be awarded to a 7th or 8th Dan. Hanshi may be awarded to a 9th or 10th Dan.
6th – 8th Dans are often allowed to wear a Red-and-White Belt. 9th and 10th Dans are often allowed to wear a Red Belt (though Red Belt is sometimes given only to a 10th Dan). Since Yon Ch’uan includes Red Belt at the Kyu rank level, you would need to look at the rank stripes on a Red belt to see whether the person wearing it was a Kyu or Dan rank. A Kyu rank in our system would have one stripe as maximum. A 10th Dan rank might have ten stripes – depends on the system. The highest rank in Yon Ch’uan currently is 9th Dan. They are all Grand Masters.
Age is also a factor in some martial systems. For example, a Kyoshi in some systems is expected to be at least 50 years of age – 55-60 years old in other systems. A Hanshi might need to be at least 60 years of age or older.
Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi are part of a system known as ‘Shogo.’ The system also includes a title for Shidoin. A Shidoin was seen as someone who had the proficiency to lead or guide students in the initial stages of their learning.
The word ‘Renshi’ means ‘polished or refined expert.’ That title is awarded to instructors who have both a deep understanding of the martial art they teach and who demonstrate a refinement of character in their person.
A Kyoshi title is given to senior instructors who are seen as experts in their Art. A strong grasp of the history, philosophy, and application of the Art are also expected for someone with the title of Kyoshi. The Kyoshi title is similar to the ‘Professor’ title in Chinese martial arts. A Kyoshi is expected to have made many important contributions to the promotion of the Art.
A Hanshi title is typically reserved for Grand Masters or very senior practitioners of a martial art. They are viewed as ‘models’ of the best example of a martial arts ‘gentleman’ or ‘lady.’ They have decades of experience as teachers and have also made many significant contributions to the Art. Hanshi’s are sometimes known as a ‘Teacher of teachers’ or ‘Senior Master.’
There are other titles in martial arts, but I think these are enough for now. We are fairly informal in our classes, but it’s good to know how a system works. The primary thing is mutual respect.
- ‘Sensei ni Rei’ means ‘Show Respect/bow to teacher’
- ‘Sempai ni Rei’ means ‘Show Respect/bow to higher rank’ (proper way to begin class if Sensei is not there / respect to the elder student who will lead class in Sensei’s absence – usually next highest ranking Black Belt or whoever Sensei assigns to lead class)
- ‘Otagai ni Rei’ means ‘Show Mutual Respect / bow to each other’
The various Japanese martial arts use some of these terms in slightly different ways. They also use some titles that we may not use. Martial arts from other countries use the language of that country (e.g. Chinese, Korean, Filipino, etc). The importance is learning how to demonstrate proper respect among members of the class through the use of correct terms, techniques, and etiquette.
If you would like more information about Grace Martial Arts classes in your area, contact Senior Instructor Mark McGee at gracemartialarts1@gmail.com.
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