Why I Changed the Senior Dan Belt Structure in Jissenkō Ryū Karate - By Sensei Liam Musiak

In most karate systems, there is a fairly common and widely recognised structure for senior Dan belts.

Traditionally, the format usually looks like this:

At 5th and 6th Dan, practitioners may wear either a standard black belt or a red–white panel belt.

At 7th and 8th Dan, the option is usually a black belt or a red–black panel belt.

At 9th and 10th Dan, practitioners either continue to wear a black belt or, more rarely, a full master red belt.

This structure is well established, and I respect the history behind it.

However, when designing Jissenkō Ryū Karate, I made a conscious decision to adjust how the very top end of the system is represented.

This change was not made lightly, and it was not done to be different for the sake of it. It was done to ensure that the belt system reflects the values, structure, and clarity of the style itself.

What has stayed the same

Before explaining what changed, it’s important to be clear about what has not changed.

In Jissenkō Ryū Karate:

At every Dan grade, including 8th, 9th, and 10th Dan, a practitioner may wear a standard black belt with the appropriate number of Dan bars.

That option always exists.

It is valid.

It carries the same rank and authority.

The alternative belts at senior level are exactly that — alternatives, not replacements.

Where Jissenkō Ryū differs

In Jissenkō Ryū Karate, the senior Dan structure is as follows:

At 5th and 6th Dan, practitioners may wear a black belt or a red–white panel belt.

At 7th Dan, practitioners may wear a black belt or a red–black panel belt.

From there, the structure changes.

At 8th Dan, the alternative belt becomes a gold–black panel belt rather than red–black.

At 9th and 10th Dan, the alternative belt becomes a solid gold belt, rather than a full red master belt.

This means:

8th Dan has the option of black with Dan bars or gold–black panel

9th Dan has the option of black with Dan bars or solid gold

10th Dan has the option of black with Dan bars or solid gold

Why I made this change

The decision to move away from the traditional full master red belt at 9th and 10th Dan was intentional.

In Jissenkō Ryū Karate, red already carries meaning earlier in the system. Because of this, I did not feel that reintroducing red at the very top accurately reflected what senior Dan grades represent within this style.

Gold, for me, better symbolises:

• Responsibility rather than dominance

• Stewardship rather than authority

• Longevity rather than status

The gold–black panel at 8th Dan represents a senior practitioner who still remains grounded in the day-to-day structure of the system, while clearly carrying greater responsibility.

The solid gold belt at 9th and 10th Dan represents custodianship of the style itself — not technical superiority over others, but long-term guardianship, leadership, and accountability.

Choice and humility remain central

One thing I was very deliberate about is this:

No one is required to wear an alternative belt.

A practitioner wearing a plain black belt with Dan bars holds exactly the same rank as someone wearing a panelled or gold belt. The belt does not elevate the person. The work, responsibility, and conduct do.

This preserves humility and keeps the focus on substance rather than display.

Final thought

Jissenkō Ryū Karate respects tradition, but it is not bound by tradition when that tradition does not align perfectly with the system being built.

The adjustments to 8th, 9th, and 10th Dan belt options were made to ensure the senior ranks visually and philosophically reflect what those levels actually represent within this style.

Black remains black.

Rank remains rank.

The belt is simply a symbol — and symbols should make sense within the system they belong to.

— Sensei Liam Musiak