If you’ve ever walked into a martial arts dojo and seen students wearing different coloured belts, you’ve witnessed a centuries-old tradition in action. At Bushido Martial Arts, we follow a structured grading system designed to guide students through their martial arts journey—from complete beginner to seasoned black belt practitioner.

In this post, we’ll explain how the belt system works, what each level represents, and what it takes to progress through the ranks at our dojo.

What Is a Kyu or Dan Grade?

In Japanese martial arts, grades are divided into two main categories:

• Kyu (級): These are the student ranks, awarded before a practitioner earns their black belt.

• Dan (段): These are the black belt ranks, awarded after a student has achieved 1st Dan.

At Bushido Martial Arts, we use a combination of belt colours and grade numbers to clearly mark a student’s progress.

Kyu Grades: The Coloured Belts

Each kyu grade represents a step forward in a student’s technical ability, physical control, and understanding of the art. Here’s how our belt system is structured:

Belt-by-Belt Breakdown

Yellow Belt – 8th Kyu (Minimum 1 Grading Period)

Freestyle Karate:

• Introduction to striking, kicking, blocking, and simple combinations

• Basic footwork and movement

• Students must demonstrate control and understanding of range and timing

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:

• 5 breakfalls (back, side, forward, rolling, and standing)

• Basic throws

• Basic understandings to strikes in the air and on pads, locks, strangle escapes, and strikes to jodan (high), chudan (mid), and gedan (low) targets

Orange Belt – 7th Kyu (Minimum 1 Grading Period)

Freestyle Karate:

• Expands combinations and introduces defensive counters

• Students must demonstrate everything from yellow belt plus the orange syllabus in gradings

• Improved stance discipline, distancing, and control required

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:

• Additional throws

• More increases number of strangle escapes and locks

• Improved precision on vital target strikes (jodan, chudan, gedan)

Green Belt – 6th Kyu (Minimum 1 Grading Period)

Freestyle Karate:

• Increased complexity in drills and combination routines

• Students must demonstrate all previous syllabus material

• Emphasis on timing, control, and flow

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:

• More throws

• Additional escapes and locking techniques

• Demonstrated control and understanding of Jiu Jitsu

Blue Belt – 5th Kyu (Minimum 1 Grading Period)

Freestyle Karate:

• Complex multi-strike combinations

• Drills and sparring during lessons prior to the grading are taken into account

• Full syllabus from yellow through to blue must be performed

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:

• Introduction of multi-man attack scenarios

• Introduction of weapon defence: knife, gun, and bat

• Higher standard of technique execution under realistic pressure

• All previous throws with the introduction of left handed throws

Purple Belt – 4th Kyu (Minimum 1 Grading Period)

Freestyle Karate:

• Advanced counter-striking and evasive combinations

• Must demonstrate complete syllabus from yellow to purple

• Increased confidence and conditioning expected

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:

• Greater number of multi-man and weapon defence scenarios

• Control and finesse must now be second nature

• Right and left handed throws, locks, strangles escapes and jodan, chudan, gadan must be executed with precision under duress

Brown Belt – 3rd Kyu (Minimum 2 Grading Periods)

Freestyle Karate:

• Strong control in contact drills and sparring

• Advanced movement and timing

• All previous syllabus techniques required with increased sharpness

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:

• High-difficulty throws and advanced joint locks

• Expanded weapon defence set

• Right and left handed throws, locks, strangles escapes and jodan, chudan, gadan must be executed with precision under duress

Brown Stripe White Belt – 2nd Kyu (Minimum 2 Grading Periods)

Freestyle Karate:

• Focus on leadership, teaching roles, and technical perfection

• Continues full demonstration of entire syllabus history

• Controlled sparring and tactical movement

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:

• Complex combinations of techniques under time pressure

• Demonstrates ability to handle realistic, varied threat scenarios

• More pressure-based attacks introduced

• Right and left handed throws, locks, strangles escapes and jodan, chudan, gadan must be executed with precision under duress

Brown Stripe Black Belt – 1st Kyu (Minimum 2 Grading Periods)

Freestyle Karate:

• Practising with instructor-level detail

• Combos and drills are expected to be fluid and faultless

• All prior material must be demonstrated on demand

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:

• Mastery of foundational syllabus

• Real-world application expected during demonstrations

• Right and left handed throws, locks, strangles escapes and jodan, chudan, gadan must be executed with precision under duress

• Final stage before Black Belt — focus on presence, performance, and polish

Dan Grades: The Black Belts

Achieving your 1st Dan (Black Belt) is a major milestone—but it’s not the end of the journey. It’s the beginning of a deeper level of learning.

• 1st Dan (Shodan) - 1 Year wait after achieving 1st Kyu (Minimum 4 Grading Periods)
  Awarded based on syllabus work, theory knowledge, and demonstrated ability to assist or teach in classes. Students are tested on their practical technique, understanding of the martial arts principles, and ability to pass that knowledge on.

• 2nd Dan (Nidan) - 2 Year wait after achieving 1st Dan (Minimum 8 Grading Periods)
  Represents the student’s second black belt. The grading is more demanding and involves advanced variations and teaching responsibilities.

• 3rd Dan (Sandan) - 3 Year wait after achieving 2nd Dan (Minimum 12 Grading Periods)
  Reflects mastery of the system. Students must demonstrate full command of the syllabus and a refined ability to coach and mentor others.

• 4th Dan (Yondan) - 4 Year wait after achieving 3rd Dan (Minimum 16 Grading Periods)
  An instructor-grade rank that requires leadership, depth of understanding, and consistent contribution to the growth of others and the art itself.

Each Dan grade requires progressively longer preparation, more complex technical demonstrations, and a higher level of instructional and philosophical maturity.

How Grading Works at Bushido

Grading at Bushido Martial Arts is not just about turning up—it’s about showing commitment, technical development, and the right attitude. To be eligible to grade, students must:

• Have attended a minimum of 48 hours of training in the grading period

• Show the required technical level and consistency

• Be deemed ready by their instructor to complete a successful grading

Each grading is a comprehensive test, including practical technique, theory work, and, at higher levels, teaching ability and martial values. You can read more about how our gradings work by clicking here

Why the Belt System Matters

The belt system is more than a colour change—it’s a recognition of progress, discipline, and personal growth. It helps students set goals, stay motivated, and track their journey through the martial arts. Every belt earned represents hours of practice, refinement, and perseverance.

At Bushido Martial Arts, we uphold the tradition of earned success. We don’t hand out belts—we award them to those who demonstrate skill, humility, and commitment to the martial way.