Orange belt, or 7th kyu, in Wado Ryu karate is the third belt in the traditional Wado syllabus. It is a significant point in a karateka’s journey as techniques begin to get a little more complex, but the student is also developing a deeper understanding of the martial art. Some people believe that the orange belt is a representation of the hot, burning sun and the student is a plant who is fighting hard to grow and develop. However, for many, orange is just another colour of belt to earn along the way! There are certain stances, strikes and kicks that are required for yellow belts to earn their orange belts – let’s look at them in more detail.
As students progress in Wado-Ryu karate, they work towards earning the orange belt (7th kyu). To qualify for this grading, students must demonstrate proficiency in several kihon (basic techniques), including:
These are new techniques to master, but students are also expected to improve their execution of the techniques learned for the red and yellow belts. By the time of the orange belt grading, the previous syllabus techniques should be performed at a higher standard, even though they may not be part of the practical examination.
For the orange belt, students must also demonstrate renraku waza, or combination techniques, with fluidity and power. The specific combinations required include:
These combinations must be executed with precise foot positioning and hip rotation, which distinguishes the front kick from the roundhouse kick.
In addition to the basic techniques, the orange belt grading includes a kata, which is a sequence of choreographed movements representing a fight against imaginary opponents. The kata required for this level is Pinan Nidan, one of the foundational kata created by Wado-Ryu founder Hironori Otsuka Sensei. Pinan Nidan is designed to develop essential karate skills and is relatively straightforward, making it easier for students to learn and remember.
This kata introduces new stances such as neko-ashi-dachi (cat stance) and includes techniques like junzuki (front punch) and jodan uke (head block), which were part of the red and yellow belt syllabuses. Performing Pinan Nidan allows students to demonstrate their development of previous skills while showcasing their progress with new techniques.
Now that you have passed your Wado Ryu red and yellow belt gradings, it is more important than ever to show good etiquette in the dojo and commitment to learning new skills. If you are wanting to achieve your orange belt at the next grading it is imperative to demonstrate respect, humility and perseverance to orange belt standard. There should be commitment to regular training and, if your club does special courses in preparation for gradings you should be attending them. It is also important to start taking mental note of the commands used in the Wado Ryu karate classes. Phrases such as ‘yame’ meaning ‘stop’, and ‘kiai’ meaning ‘short, spirited shout’ are used regularly in traditional Wado Ryu karate training and will continue to be used throughout the training process. While not necessary yet, starting to learn some of the Japanese names for basic techniques will show willing to improve as well as give you a head start for in a couple of belts’ time when your gradings are no longer translated to English. Don’t panic though, with repetition it becomes easy!
So, you’re moving up the ranks and learning new skills, and the chances are you are starting to feel better in yourself both physically and mentally. But where should you be fitness wise? Truth is, Wado Ryu karate doesn’t have any definitive expectations for your fitness level at this point – or at any point in your journey. While it will definitely make training a little bit easier if you aren’t out of breath, the focus of your instructor is still to teach you fundamental skills and to work on your mindset. Wado Ryu karate is based around knowing when and where to strike, not about striking hardest, so take the time to work on understanding your own body movements and being aware of your surroundings. Improved fitness and flexibility will come naturally through your training (but if you want to work on either of those things, there is nothing stopping you!)
To progress from yellow to orange belt in Wado-Ryu karate, discipline and respect are key. Learning essential techniques like Pinan Nidan and the leaning punches requires dedication, but with focus, these goals are within reach.
At Simon Coope Karate School, we help beginners become confident karate practitioners through a structured Wado-Ryu syllabus that builds strong techniques while developing discipline, focus, and resilience—skills that extend beyond the dojo.
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Most karateka can expect to earn their orange belt around 9 months after joining a club, however this could take longer depending on where you’re at training wise. Those who can train more regularly are naturally going to progress at a faster pace than those who can only train once a week, let’s say. It is important to remember that karate is an individual sport and there is no pressure to progress at a certain rate. Karate is a personal journey of self-improvement and understanding your body so don’t compare yourself to other people who joined at the same time as you.
While the basic techniques in the syllabus are important, learning Pinan Nidan, the first kata, is something that needs to be focused on especially. As well as this, focusing on the key principles of karate and demonstrating correct dojo etiquette is something that will be consistently looked out for by your instructor. Showing good self-discipline and acknowledging when you are making mistakes and there is room for improvement will put you in good stead to become a black belt one day, as it shows you know your strengths and weaknesses and are willing to work on yourself.
The most common obstacle that 8th kyus’ face when training for their orange belt is learning the first kata, as it is a test of memory as well as attention to detail. Although gradings are set at high standards, instructors just want to see your willingness to learn and take on a challenge as that’s what karate is all about. It is also around this time that karateka begin to doubt themselves and their ability. Maintaining confidence and persevering through difficult tasks is a key life skill as well as something that is needed to be a master at Wado Ryu karate.
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