Shotokan Syllabus Comparison
Every Shotokan karate club has a grading syllabus for belts and may vary from other clubs, so as a guide, this syllabus incorporates other grades that are no listed on our syllabus.
Comparison of SSK grades and other Shotokan karate grades
It is very common to have students from other karate clubs training at other locations, but sometimes they may not know where in the line-up they should stand, as their grade may not be part of the other club’s syllabus, so the chart below gives you a rough idea of where you are in comparison to our club’s syllabus and ability.
Stafford Shotokan Karate
9th Kyu - White
8th Kyu - White with 1 Red Stripe
7th Kyu - White with 2 Red Stripes
6th Kyu - White with 3 Red Stripes
5th Kyu - Yellow
4th Kyu - Orange
3rd Kyu - Green
2nd Kyu - Blue
1st Kyu - Brown
1st Dan - Black
Other Shotokan Associations
9th Kyu - Orange
8th Kyu - Red
7th Kyu - Yellow
6th Kyu - Green
5th Kyu - Purple
4th Kyu - Purple 1 White Stripe
3rd Kyu - Brown
2nd Kyu - Brown 1 White Stripe
1st Kyu - Brown 2 White Stripe
1st Dan - Black