IMPORTANT: The following instructions are not open to interpretation. They are to be strictly adhered to at all times.
Only Black Gi may be worn by all sensei, sempai and kohai
Sempai (Brown belt 1 kyu/Shodan-ho)
Sensei (shodan-Nidan)
Tasshi-Master-Sandan.
Renshi-Master Instructor-Yondan .
Kyoshi-Associate Professor-Godan
Only master instructors of Shihan Rokudan and above may wear kohaku obi (Red and White belt.
Belt Protocol
Black Belt students who hold a rank within KYR are entitled to wear the following belts.
Shodan-Ho Plain Black Belt no tabs
Shodan Black belt with one tab
Nidan Black belt with two tabs
Sandan Black belt with three tabs
Yondan Black belt with four tabs
Godan Black belt with five tabs
Rokudan Red and white belt. NO TABS OF ANY COLOUR
Shichidan Red and White Belt. NO TABS OF ANY COLOUR
Hachidan Red Belt NO TABS OF ANY COLOUR
Kudan Red Belt. NO TABS OF ANY COLOUR
Decorum
Japanese titles always come after your name (as in “Tom Smith Sensei”) Never before. Also, it might help to remember that your title has absolutely nothing at all to do with your name. It is a real sign of ignorance to introduce yourself to anyone in the following manner: “Hi, my name is Tom smith Sensei” If, however, it happens to be a formal martial arts event, then it would be correct to say “Hi, I am Tom Smith Sensei”, as long as you don’t say that the title “Sensei” is actually part of your name!
In fact, whenever you introduce yourself to anyone in a normal every day situation, you should never utilise any form of title in conjunction with your name, and that includes “Mr”, “Mrs” or “Ms”. The correct method can has been very readily illustrated by a famous, fictional spy, as in “My name is Smith, John Smith”. Should you meet anyone with any kind of title, martial arts or otherwise, then you should make sure that you address them with that title, only ceasing when and if clearly instructed to do so by the person themselves. And, please remember: There is no plural in Japanese. It is one “Sensei” or a dozen “Sensei” never “Sensei’s”.
“Soke”
The term Soke (pronounced Souki) is not used within the yamabushi Ryu, nor has it ever been. The title Soke is one of the most misunderstood, and it certainly does not mean “grandmaster”.