ZANSHIN KARATE JUTSU

The Unique Belt System

TEN YEARS ONE BLACK BELT

The 2008 New Belt System

Aspiring to be like Zanshin.

Before you even consider a life with Zanshin Karate Jutsu you should be aware that our system from white to black belt is a TEN YEAR span and thats minimum. If you want a black belt quick and easy this is not the place for you, so save yourself a read..you probably would not have the patience for it anyhow.

About 5 years ago, the famous Iain Abernethy said of Zanshin Karate Jutsu that :-

"The ZKJ syllabus is a forward thinking and progressive system, I have no doubt that in ten years time all syllabus will aspire to this level".

Already out there we have found that there are groups attempting something akin to our system and that makes us proud however like the advert says "There's nothing like the real thing."

At Zanshin Karate Jutsu we are very proud of the quality and level at which our students have now reached and 5 years later on from Iain's quote we feel we have now developed a comprehensive and all encompassing system which will benefit not only children but adults alike.

Children are not small adults!

Unlike the vast majority of systems, who use the one grading system for all, from 5 year olds to 50 year olds, we recognise that the important development needs of children are vastly different from the needs of adults and as such, through our indepth research, we have developed our system to ensure all these aspects are fully covered and indeed rewarded appropriately.

What Colour am I?

Without detailing every aspect and technique within our system we have put together for ease of reference exactly how the belt system progresses for children and adults, hopefully our detail of the different colours will help you target how you will progress through our system.

The Beginning

Everyone on joining gets a white belt
The Childrens grading system from 4 year olds to 15 year olds is now known as the MON system or Novice system and consists of various striped belts.
If a child has trained and been assessed continuously in all 12 Mons over a minimum of three years, then they will progress onto the Junior Kyu grade system.
The Main Adult system is known as the Adult KYU system and consists of solid coloured belts.

The Belts for Juniors.

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How long will it take between grades?

The minimum continuous training period between each of the MON grades below will be 3 months apart from the last grade 12th Mon which is a minimum of 6 months between 11th and 12th Mon.

This means if a child starts at 4 and trains continuously and is assessed throughout the periods then they will have trained a solid 3 years before they get the last belt 12th Mon.

This will mean they will be 7 years of age or if they started more likely at 5 they will be 8 years of age before they begin the Junior KYU grade system.

If, for example, a child starts at any other age i.e. 11years of age then the MON system will still take them the minimum 3 years to achieve before they move onto the JUNIOR KYU grade system.

However if a child starts at at 14 or 15 they will continue the Mon system until their 16th birthday when they will revert onto the Adult system and their next grade will be based on that system and its requirements.

Colours of the MON

1st Mon                                   Mon White
2nd Mon                                  White with 1 yellow band
3rd Mon                                   Yellow with 1 white band
4th Mon                                    Yellow
5th Mon                                    White with one Orange band
6th Mon                                    Orange with one white band
7th Mon                                    Orange
8th Mon                                    White with one Green band
9th Mon                                    Green with one white band
10th Mon                                  Green with Blue Band
11th Mon                                  Green with Black Band
12th Mon                                  Brown with one yellow band

Once a Child has completed a full 3 years training they move onto the next category which is the beginning of the JUNIOR KYU system.

The JUNIOR KYU GRADE System

Minimum Period between 12th Mon and 4th Kyu 12months

4th kyu White one brown band

Minimum between 4th and 3rd 18 months
3rd Kyu Brown one white band

Minimum between 3rd Kyu and 2nd Kyu 24 Months
2nd Kyu SOLID Brown

Minimum between 2nd Kyu and 1st Kyu 24 Months
1st Kyu Brown one Black Band

Therefor a child having trained for 3 years enters this system and after 12 months continuous training and assessment is awarded the 4th Kyu and so on�

In Conclusion

There well could be a superstar who trains from the age of 4 right through the grades and reaches 1st kyu by the age of 14, if so then all well and good and we have done a great job and so have they, however it is more likely that the system will carry them up until the age of 16 when after 10 years training they should be well ready for the Coveted Black Belt and 10 years of solid learning will make that once elusive belt seem worth it all and it will be something you know you have earned.

The Adult Kyu Grade System

The Adult system is fully graded by a panel and requires a high level of training

The adult system starts at the age of 16 and will follow the full coloured belt system starting at white belt. Note that a child who turns 16 and is on a striped reverts to the solid belt after an appropriate designated period given by the Instructor.

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