Skill degree in karate is designated by means of belts and student degrees "кю". The person who received the highest - the black belt, can be improved too, taking examinations for receiving masterful degrees - thanes. Such examinations include performance of complexes-kata and carrying out several dozen rounds in the sparring.
Karate - the ancient Japanese fighting system which conducts the history, since 18-19th century. The term "karate" was introduced by certain mister by the name of Sakugava for the first time. He lived on the island of Okinawa and was engaged in studying the Chinese single combats which it is accepted to call wushu now.
Initially the word "karate" was written with the Japanese hieroglyphs designating in translation "the Chinese hand". And only then the hieroglyph "penalty" ("Chinese") was replaced on it is similar the sounding hieroglyph "penalty" meaning "empty". So the karate turned into art of "the empty hand".
In karate there is the system of belts and degrees. The white belt is appropriated to the person who only began to study this martial art. Receiving each following belt takes place at passing an examination. Having passed the first test, the beginner receives the orange belt and student degree of the tenth or ninth "кю". With growth of skill the athlete who is doing karate can consistently receive the blue, yellow, green, brown and black belt. Passing an examination on the brown belt is followed by assignment of the second or first "кю".
Masters with black belt differ in different categories - thanes. The youngest Dan in karate is the first, and the most senior - the tenth. With assignment of the third or fourth it is given the person can carry the rank "sensei" - the teacher. Passing an examination on next it is given - occupation difficult. At different schools it differs. For example, in karate of school kiokushinkay the person who intends to receive the first is given, has to be engaged not less than one year, already at the same time having the black belt. Examination on the first is given includes delivery of several fighting complexes of the kat and carrying out twenty rounds of the sparring. For receiving the second it is given it is necessary to do karate one more year, to stand in the sparring already thirty rounds and to receive official certificates of the instructor and referee's assistant. To receive the third it is given, it is necessary to have the certificate of the referee, to hand over masterful complexes of the kat and to sustain forty rounds in the sparring. Examination on the fourth is given includes already fifty rounds in the sparring. Receiving higher thanes demands existence of special recommendations and test passing of Kancho. Though the highest degree of skill is the tenth is given, for most of karatekas really to receive only the ninth. The tenth is given in most cases is given already posthumously - for the special contribution to development of martial art.