Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of modern judo, developed a color-coded system of karate belts and sashes that was designed to illustrate students' progress through the various levels of Japanese martial arts. As each new colored belt is achieved, a student shows his mastery of the corresponding level; each new belt is a mark of honor, ability, and hard work. 

Japan Karate-Do Cincinnati provides martial arts lessons for children and adults throughout the greater Cincinnati area, and Japan Karate-Do Cincinnati recognizes the importance of Dr. Kano's renowned belt/sash ranking system.

• White Belt/Sash: The first belt attained, it signifies a new seed and new beginnings.
• Yellow Belt/Sash: The second belt, denoting sunlight nourishing the new seed, shows knowledge of the first steps on the martial arts path.
• Orange Belt/Sash: The third belt demonstrates an openness to the teacher and embracing of knowledge, symbolized by the intensifying glow of the sun.
• Green Belt/Sash: The first shoots of green have emerged from the seed! The student is displaying her understanding and abilities for the first time.
• Blue Belt/Sash: The student has received more wisdom and greater ability, the seedling growing ever closer toward the blue sky.
• Purple Belt/Sash: The color of a new dawn, the purple belt shows the student moving into the advanced stages of training.

• Brown Belt/Sash: The seed has matured and grown wiser, recognizing his abilities, hard work, and dedication.
• Red Belt/Sash: With the sun becoming hotter, the student's knowledge becomes more in-depth and intense, recognizing the life-and-death power of martial arts.
• Black Belt/Sash: Denoting the darkness that comes with sunset, the black belt has the wisdom to become a teacher and seeks out new ways to live and practice the martial arts.

To sign up for adult or childrens' karate classes, call Japan Karate-Do Cincinnati today at (513) 860-4386. Japan Karate-Do Cincinnati is the Midwest's leading martial arts program, and they look forward to helping you move up the ranks of belts and sashes.