AOKK Miscellaneous Promotion Rules
Rules:
- Kyu ranks are not required for to pass scriptures before promotion. If the kyu rank recites the scripture, they receive a promotion certificate and the promotion is recorded.
- A kyu student has a minimum two years requirement in brown belt before they’re eligible for Shodan testing.
- Scriptures are required prior to black belt testing. A third black stripe will be placed upon the candidates brown belt when this is accomplished.
- Foot washing ceremony is mandatory.
- A black stone placed in the receptacle, during the secret ballot during the black belt testing for Shodan test, signifies that the member of the balck belt testing panel passes the Shodan candidate.
- A white stone placed in the receptacle, during the secret ballot during the balck belt testing for Shodan test, signifies that the member of the balck belt testing panel fails the Shodan candidate.
- The highest ranking member of the panel counts the stones and is checked by a second.
- If the student has less that 50% black stones he/she fails the exam.
- The black belt testing panel will meet and decide if the candidate will be given temporary status and a list of things that must be corrected. The panel may also fail the candidate without temporary status.
- If the black belt candidate performs the list of corrected items he/she may be promoted to the rank of Shodan at the completion of said tasks. This should occur within one year of testing . After one year, the student will be dropped back to brown belt. This may be appealed by the student if there are special circumstances the impede this requirement.
The Hope Rule:
Students promoted to black belt below the age of sixteen will be awarded a black belt with white kanji. This signifies they are a junior black belt, and will have fewer responsibilities than that of their senior counterparts. A junior student or one wearing white kanji can be promoted to higher ranks while in their junior status, but they must continue to line up behind all senior black belts or those with red kanji. Once the red kanji ceremony has been completed and red kanji belt is awarded at sixteen years of age, They will line up according to their rank behind other senior black belts of that same rank. Their next promotion will be dated from their last promotion and not the obtaining of the senior status and if promoted may be moved ahead of other seniors of the same rank.
Note from Sensei:
When a student does not have a stellar performance on their black belt test and barely pass, a few member of the Yudansha feel it lessen the meaning of all black belt promotions. Remember, “The only one that can water down or disgrace your black belt is the one wearing it.” We are not gauged as a collective but as an individual.