FAQ - How long does it take to get a Black Belt?

The coloured Belt grades are the "Student" Grades (referred to as Kyu Grades), and the Black Belts (Dan Grades) are considered "Expert" Grades. This is not to say that the Dan Grades know all there is to know. There is a truism in Ju Jitsu; "Once you attain your Black Belt, you will really start to learn Ju Jitsu.", this maxim has a lot of veracity, in as much as once the student becomes an expert, it only then starts to become clear how much more there is to learn.

This is not to say that the skills that the student will learn up to Brown Belt are insufficient, but rather that Ju Jitsu is almost limitless in it's scope for self defence, and combinations of defences and attacks. Of course it takes dedication and practice to achieve the coveted Black Belt. It is a monument to the Jikishin syllabus that so many have taken the path, and continued on to 2nd Dan, 3rd Dan, 4th Dan, and beyond. The syllabus is tough, but anything worthwhile getting, is worth working hard for.

	White Belt - Novice
	White Belt, Yellow Stripe
	Yellow Belt
	Orange Belt
	Orange Belt, White Stripe
	Orange Belt, Green Stripe
	Green Belt
	Green Belt, White Stripe
	Green Belt, Blue Stripe
	Blue Belt
	Blue Belt, Purple Stripe
	Purple Belt
	Purple Belt, White Stripe
	Purple Belt, Brown Stripe
	Brown Belt
	Brown Belt, White Stripe
	Brown Belt, Black Stripe
	Black Belt - Junior 1st Dan

Belt	Grade	Minimum Training Time
	White Belt - Novice	N/A
	Yellow Belt	8 Lessons
	Orange Belt	3 Months
	Green Belt	6 Months
	Blue Belt	3 Months
	Purple Belt	3 Months
	Brown Belt	6 Months

After completing the Kyu (Coloured) Belt System, the dedicated student must now commence training on the most difficult of paths, the Black Belt.

In order to qualify for First Dan (Shodan) Black Belt the student must overcome a number of hurdles:

1. The student must have completed a minimum of one years training at Brown Belt (minimum of 3 years total), and must have attended their Club for training at least 48 times since their last Grading.
2. Each practitioner must pass a Level 5 Weapons Kata Assessment, on the basic 5 weapons in the Jikishin Ju Jitsu Style (Nun Chaku, Sai, Bo, Tonfa, and Katana).
3. The student must revise and study the Kyu (Coloured Belt) Grade work completed so far.  The student will have to successfully pass an Pre-Grading examination showing that he or she has learned and mastered all of the Kyu Grade (Coloured Belt) techniques.
4. The Student must pass an Anatomy Examination – this is a written test with both multiple choice and open questions.
5. The student must complete the Shodan Black Belt Syllabus, in an examination by senior members of the Jikishin Ju Jitsu Association, and overseen by a British Ju Jitsu Association Grading Officer.

For all subsequent grades of Black Belt, a similar regime is in place.  In all cases the student must pass further Grades in Weapons, Anatomy, and minimum time periods between the grades are in place for each grade.  In addition the Black Belt must show that they have contributed something to the Association during the period since their last grading.

The minimum study time for a Second Dan is 2 years, Third Dan is 3 years and Fourth Dan is 4 years, and so on.  Up to Fourth Dan, the student will indicate to their Sensei (Instructor) that they have completed the requirements for the next Dan grading, and may request that they are graded at the next opportunity.  Dan Gradings are held twice a year.  To improve from Fourth Dan to Fifth Dan, Grading is by invitation of the head of the Association, and subsequent Gradings beyond Fifth Dan are also by invitation only.

Dan Belts
	Black Belt - 1st Dan (Shodan)
	Black Belt - 2nd Dan (Nidan)
	Black Belt - 3rd Dan (Sandan)
	Black Belt - 4th Dan (Yondan)
	Black Belt - 5th Dan (Godan)
	Black Belt - 6th Dan (Rokudan)
	Black Belt - 7th Dan (Sichidan)
	Black Belt - 8th Dan (Hachidan)
	Black Belt - 9th Dan (Kudan)
	Black Belt - 10th Dan (Judan)

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