Gradings are conducted under the authority of Shihan Harry J. Baker, 7th Dan and Renshi Graham Seach 6th Dan.
Although individual Masters may summarily grade students in the Dojo, for gradings to brown belt or higher, a formal Grading Panel must be convened. A formal Grading Panel consists of at least two 3rd Dan black belts (or higher), with the exception of Shodan gradings which must contain at least one 6th Dan (or higher) & one 3rd Dan (or higher). Higher Dan gradings have special requirements.
Student gradings are conducted either in the Dojo, or at a scheduled training camp. The formal session may last for about an hour, depending on the rank. Senior student gradings (brown belt) usually last for at least 2 hours. In any case, the student has been constantly assessed & tested during the 3 months preceding the grading.
Shodan gradings are conducted in 2 stages. The first stage involves between 5 and 7 dojo-based gradings, held over the 3-4 months prior to the formal 24-hour event. This includes 2-3 informal Ju Jutsu gradings, 2-3 informal Judo gradings and one formal Judo grading. Each of these gradings are by Panel.
The second stage is the formal 24-hour Ju Jutsu grading, held at a specially convened Grading Camp on a rural location. This grading commences at sunrise on a Saturday & continues until sunrise the next day. The event has two main parts: The first is the formal session, where the Candidate demonstrates his knowledge and skill in curricula-based activities (attack, defence, kata, etc). This lasts for between 2 and 4 hours. The second, taking up the remainder of the 24-hours, is conducted along the lines of an ancient Japanese battlefield encounter, with all participants armed with a variety of weapons, from Jo and Bo, to spears, knives and swords. The Candidate is attacked around the clock, by groups of armed attackers, and is expected to survive.
With the exception of Shodan gradings which must be planned well in advance, there are no set dates for gradings. Gradings are conducted when individual students are considered to have achieved a high standard of proficiency for that rank. Therefore, progress through the ranks is entirely dependent upon each student. Presently, all gradings are free of charge.
Since the early 1940's, the Earth School has adopted the standard European coloured-belt ranking system:
Shichi Kyu |
No belt | Novice |
|
Roku Kyu |
White belt | Junior student |
|
Go Kyu |
Yellow belt | |
|
Yon Kyu |
Orange belt | Student |
|
San Kyu |
Green Belt | |
|
Ni Kyu |
Blue belt | |
|
Ik Kyu |
Brown belt 1 stripe | Senior Student |
| Brown belt 2 stripes | ||
| Brown belt 3 stripes | ||
|
Shodan |
Black belt (1st Dan) | Student Master |
|
Nidan |
Black belt (2nd Dan) | |
|
Sandan |
Black belt (3rd Dan) | Master |
|
Yondan |
Black belt (4th Dan) | |
|
Godan |
Black belt (5th Dan) | |
|
Rokudan |
Red & white belt (6th Dan) | High Master |
|
Shichidan |
Red & white belt (7th Dan) | |
|
Hachidan |
Red & white belt (8th Dan) | |
|
Kudan |
Pink sash (9th Dan) | |
|
Judan |
Pink sash (10th Dan) | Professor |
|
Junidan |
White sash (12th Dan) | Professor Past Master |