A black belt in traditional Shito-Ryu typically takes four to six years of consistent training. There are no shortcuts, and no belt is awarded for attendance alone.
The path runs through the kyu grades: white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple and brown. Each grading tests kihon, kata, kumite and theory, and the intervals lengthen as the grades advance.
Brown belt students begin assisting in junior classes. Teaching is part of the syllabus, because explaining a technique exposes whether you truly understand it.
Shodan literally means 'first level'. In Japan, receiving a black belt marks the point where a student has learned the basics well enough to begin serious study.
At MicroDojo, Dan gradings are conducted under federation-recognised panels affiliated to AKSKA, AISKU and KIO, so certification is valid beyond our dojo.