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[veeevek]

oh.thanks vapor, for letting us know more about that..

[laughingmonk]

Here, the black belt receive a book similar to Vapor's book with the belt. The student must wait for Approval of the Japan comittee. Then if the grading of the student is approved, It is sent to the student.

Im not a black belt, but I have seen 4 student at our dojo received their book.

I don't know if all Dojo in North America proceed the same way.

[Olrac]

OSU!
Maybe i am mistaking but i think it takes much longer than the 3-4 years.
We have only twice a year the chance of graduation at the local dojo.
Also from the 2nd kyu (brown belt) to become 1st kyu, we can only graduate on the yearly summercamp. This means that, from 2nd kyu to 1st dan, it will take at least 2 years. Now, after 6 years, i will try to become 2nd kyu this summer. We also have a/the black book in The Netherlands. Is it possible that every country has their own rules regarding the graduation time?
We are members of the IFK under Hanshi Steve Arneil.

[Spirit]

First off there is no secret B/B book. Why would it be a secret if each instructors/dojo’s goal is to train every student to their fullest potential and have each of them gain Dan grade???
If your dojo or organization does not have the funds to publish a book (which most don’t) then I would suggest the following books....
What is, This is & Advanced Karate , also a great reference book (if you can find it) is the Dave Cook’s book Mas Oyama’s Kyokushin Karate, but don’t stop at these. Combined these books have everything you need to understand the physical aspects of Karate, though it doesn’t teach the true mental. That comes in many ways and most can’t be learn out of a book. Though your instructor should be covering all things related to each rank with you in each class?!?

Time between 10th kyu and 1st dan is based on many things; time is more a retention issue than anything. All organizations (Goju, Shotokan etc) have a schedule for each rank (time and age) this is more a reference/guide than the rule, do to each person learns at a different pace. Each student has different abilities etc.. so a few gain quickly then level off, others start slow and pass all others.
A student should not be looking at when or how long before one receives Dan. A focused student looks to improve the material for each rank and only focusing on the next step (kyu) not 10 or more ahead. They work hard to improve within their rank’s goals and observe everything that is going on during each class, mouth shut, eyes, and ears wide open.
If you train hard and often as you should, 3 years should do it. This is based on age, if you are not 18 then you will need to wait till you are. If you start training in your 30’s, 40’s etc then in will take longer. If you train only 2x a week and the dojo does not push you hard during training and doesn’t ask you train at home then 5-8 years is more the time you will spend training for the test. And maybe you should look to do other things with your life if this is your training schedule.

Also Yudansha is more than someone who is the best fighter... it is someone who can do all things Kata, Kumite, Kihon and teach these to others as well.
You may also focus on what Shodan means ... Beginner grade. Once shodan you have not made it to the top , you are actually at the very, very bottom even lower than you where when a white belt. I don’t mean lower as in a person but in mind.
You need to learn all things over at a different level and aspect as well. You will learn that a punch and a kick is not as simple as that. But that will come

[Bloke]

Olrac

The IFK has statutory time limits between gradings. If you managed to grade at each time you were allowed you could be shodan after 4 years. However as you say you can only grade for 2nd kyu and above on your summer camp that will add more time.

[sas]

I'm only 8th kyu and we take graduation every 6 months, but as I advance in grades (kyus) I have the impression that actually I know nothing, don;t deserve the grade and must train harder. That's very different from the beggining when I thought I was the best in the dojo. :P

[Lucy]

Osu sas

I think that it is good that you only grade slowly because rushing through the grades will do you no favours in the long run! Ive been training since i was 11 and i became a shodan at 26! Im glad i took my time because only now do i feel ready to be a shodan to be honest. As japman said once you become a black belt everything you have learnt taken a whole new meaning. Yes i feel like its a new ladder to climb.

Take your time enjoy your training and respect that your grading are at long intervals for a good reason. You will be learning and developing better in my opinion

[sas]

I totally agree Lucy, OSU! and I'm not in a hurry probably because I started pretty late the kyokushin training and my age (25), and life experience allows me to be patient

[Lucy]

Thats the right attitude! All good things come to those who wait!

[sas]

very nice, do you allways use sayings or it's a kyokushin habit?

[Lucy]

Lol do i use alot of sayings then?! Err just me i guess!

[sas]

I have no problem with that, but usually I think it will skare guys off.
, didn't you notice that?

[genosuke]

[Edited due to political content ~ Nix]

[Karate4Life]

Coming back to the original question, in our organization it took at least 6-7 years to be entitled for Shodan testing. I arrived at 1st kyu after about 3,5 years, seems that I wore that brown belt for AGES! It looked totally bleached and worn after that...