Shinpo-Enshin Belt Levels-Promotion Tests
by Sensei Dan Lokhart

Kaizen

In the Japanese culture, it is believed that one improves in small increments. It is not a reasonable expectation to walk through the doors of the dojo and expect to accomplish the Black Belt level in three months. This idea of improving in small steps is known as "shinpo." Essentially, promoting from belt to belt is shinpo. It gives the individual a goal and measurement for them to be able to gauge their abilities in relation to others and where they want to be. It allows the individual to set reasonable expectations for themselves.

Enshin Belt Levels

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is "what are all the belt levels within Enshin?'

The belt levels are:

1. White Belt - Shiro Obi - Novice at basic techniques, punches, block and kicks

2. Blue Belt - Ao Obi - Learning how to consistently apply slightly more advanced techniques. The Blue Belt has a basic understanding of distance and position in relation to the opponent.

3. Yellow Belt - Kiiro Obi - Moving to outside position and blind spot should start to occur as a reflexive response during most of the basic attacks. Yellow Belts should be able to defend against moderate technical levels of attacks. Attacks and counter-attack skills include back kicks and basic sweeps.

4. Green Belt - Midori Obi - Position and distance from the opponent for blocks and counter-attacks are known. Judging distance from the opponent becomes a focus. The Green Belt is beginning to master the basic techniques and understand control situations. Advanced kicks include the spinning back round house kick.

5. Brown Belt - Cha Obi- Brown Belts become more aware of timing and how critical it is during kumite. Advanced techniques include a variety of sweeps and throws. Back kicks and spinning back kicks become more routine. The objective to control the opponent becomes clearer. Brown Belts often start to help teaching others.

6. Black Belt - Kuro Obi - The Black Belts demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and can execute all of the skills of the previous belt levels. The Black Belts cannot only demonstrate the skills learned during practice but also during kumite. The skills are demonstrated as reflexive movements. It is not expected all skills are perfectly shown but that the understanding of the geometry and mechanics of the movements are understood. The "why" and "what situations" of blocks, counters, kicks and punches can be demonstrated for most situations. Control over the opponent and oneself at this level is expected. The Shodan Black Belts begin to consistently demonstrate techniques and teach others.

Promotion Tests

In Enshin, we generally have promotion tests every four months. Each person is observed as they demonstrate their skills. A panel of senior black belts grades the people taking the test on a scale of one to ten. For each belt level the person taking the test is expected demonstrate the skills of basic punches, blocks and kicks for their belt level. Each person is also expected to demonstrate combination attack and counterattack skills. They are also graded on the ability to demonstrate the Enshin Karate - Sabaki technique. Finally, the last skill to be tested is the ability to demonstrate the Sabaki Technique during fighting. All lower belts spar with the Black Belts. Each person testing for Brown and below, fights twice, one minute per fight. The sparring is judged by the person's ability to successfully execute the Sabaki technique. Persons testing for Shodan generally fight 10 one-minute rounds. A written exam for each belt level is also administered. The written exam, tests the ability to understand the mechanics of the Sabaki technique.

The White Belt White belt is a symbol of purity. The new student at white belt level is said to be pure, because he/she is completely ignorant of the requirements of the art and utterly lacking in experience of it. The white belt symbolizes the potential of the new student to achieve the other grades.  The Blue Belt Blue is the color of the sky and of the ocean. The blue obi shows one whose aspirations have begun to expand to the horizon, one whose spirit is beginning to have the depth of the sea but one yet resists his resolve to explore that depth. The Yellow Belt Yellow or gold is the color of the sun, the color of light, the color of new found riches. The yellow obi indicates one for whom the light of the new day has begun to shine. It is the color for one whose spirit, understanding and skill is dawning. The Green Belt Green is the color of growth, the color of the grass and of the forests. The green obi reflects one who has begun to absorb the light, one whose skill and spirit has started to blossom and bear fruit.   The Brown Belt Brown is the color of the earth, the color of solidity. The brown obi expresses one whose technique has become competent, whose mind is fertile, and whose spirit is firm.