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In Toshindo Karate, as in many other martial arts forms, students are awarded ranks as they gain experience, skill and status within the dojo. The ranks are represented by colored belts.

Originally the belt system is believed to have consisted of only a black belt for experts and a white belt for non-experts. From there, it evolved and began including a brown colored belt between the two. Now, dojos around the world award belts or various colors depending on rank. The only color agreed upon is the black belt, awarded after years of training.

Many students have the black belt set as a goal when they start traing. But the black belt is not the highest rank in karate. The black belt is merely the first of ten ranks called dan that are awarded for progress in understanding of Karate techniques and theory as well as tenure. Most experts consider the first dan rank, shodan to be a relatively low rank. Many instructors say that Shodan level students are just beginning to learn about the real nature of Karate, and therefore are beginners themselves.
Kyu Grade
10th(white) 9th(yellow) 8th(orange) 7th(green) 6th(blue) 5th(purple) 4th(red) 3rd(brown) 2nd(brown) 1st(brown)
                        


Dan Grade
1st (Shodan) 2nd (Nidan) 3rd (Sandan) 4th (Yodan) 5th (Godan)
                             
6th (Rokudan) 7th (Shichidan) 8th (Hachidan) 9th (Kudan) 10th (Judan)
                           
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