DEAR SUN SPOTS: I often see in the Sun Journal belt tests by local karate students. These stories offer little on what the meaning is behind words such as “sendal.” What do sendal, sosai, shodan and kata mean?

Also, what is Rich Pelletier’s rank or rating? Thanks. — Bryant, Turner

ANSWER: Pelletier’s Karate Academy has a very complete website (http://pelletierskarate.com), which answered many of your questions. One page describes the belt system:

“We use a traditional kyu (cue) belt system. In this system the student progresses from white (9th kyu) to brown (1st kyu) before earning their black belt. The order of the belts is: 9. white, 8. yellow, 7. orange, 6. purple, 5. blue, 4. green, 3. brown, 2. brown and 1. brown.

“This has been adapted for the children by the addition of some ‘half-belts’ and culminates in a junior black belt. This provides shorter term goals and more frequent recognition of their progress. 9. white, white/yellow, 8. yellow, gold, 7. orange, orange/purple, 6. purple, 5. blue, 4. green, 3. brown, 2. brown and 1. brown.

“Belt tests are done as a group and typically occur on the last Saturday of the month. There are belt test for children every month and for adults every other month. The testing fee is $15 and children must have a testing slip signed by their teacher and their parents. Full white Gis are required for testing.”

Basic terminology is also offered on the website. Here are a few:

Dojo (doh-joe) – school or training hall, Gi (ghe) – uniform, Obi (o-b) – belt, Rei (ray) – bow, Kata (kah-tah) – form, a set pattern of movement, Kobudo (koh-boo-doe) ? weapons, Kumite (coo-me-tay) – sparring, fighting and Bunkai (boon-kye) – application, the meaning of the movements in a kata.

Then there are the belts. A Shodan is a 1st degree black belt, then they go up a degree at a time to Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan and Rokudan (6th degree black belt).

As for your final question, the website offers this:

“Shihan Rich Pelletier is known throughout Lewiston-Auburn simply as ‘Sensei’ (pronounced Sen-say, it means teacher). Sensei is a 7th degree black belt who has been studying martial arts for over 40 years. He has also studied Tai Chi, Shorin-Ryu, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, various systems of Kung Fu, and the Blauer Tactical System.”

Sun Spots did not see sendal or sosai on Pelletier’s site. She called, but Pelletier’s said they do not use those terms; however, some other karate practitioners may use sosai to mean leader. Wikipedia says a sosai is a president or director-general. In Japan, the head of one political party is called Sosai.

As for sendal, Google says it is a type of silk. Or, if Sun Spots misread your handwriting, Sendai is a city in Japan.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would Bob Plumb’s relative, who contacted someone several months ago about an old Bates yearbook, please contact me at makas@maine.edu or at 784-5726 (leaving a message if I’m not there)? Thank you! — Elaine Makas

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link