Aiki Kyu Poem

Traditional Japanese martial arts schools use a system of Senpai and Kohai. The Senpai students are more senior to the junior Kohai students. The ranks between Kohai and Senpai, which we know as the different colored belts, are called the Kyu ranks. Hierarchy is very important in Japanese culture, but more importantly the senior students must take care that the beginning students are practicing safely and correctly. This is a whimsical little story/poem I wrote about the trek through the Kyu ranks, and on to Shodan or Black Belt.


Seventh Kyu. (White Belt w/Stripe)
Like a child’s first steps.
He can crawl. He can roll
He can say a few words.
Only time will toll.

Sixth Kyu. (Yellow Belt)
Steady now as you begin to walk.
A few bad falls.
Still a fear of heights.
Sometimes a flash of light.

Fifth Kyu. (Yellow Belt w/Stripe)
Still young and resilient.
Not bothered by a fall.
The fear is gone.
Try it all, try it all.

Fourth Kyu. (Blue Belt)
I’m no beginner.
Throw me harder!
Pain is great fun.
Yeah! That was a good one!

Third Kyu. (Blue Belt w/Stripe)
What does Aikido mean?
Is there a Brown belt here?
Is this the right tai sabaki?
Are you asking ME?

Second Kyu. (Brown Belt)
Ah, the home stretch
Like the first semester Senior year.
Step proudly on to the mat.
My Ki precedes me.

First Kyu. (Brown Belt w/Stripe)
The wise old man
Learning and teaching
Teaching and learning
Smoooooth…

Shodan (Black Belt)
Like a child’s first steps.
He can crawl. He can roll
He can say a few words.
Only time will toll.

© 2010 Lifelong Arts