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Borrowed from Iaido but applicable to karate. There is a break down of skills levels in regard to methods and methodologies, i.e., beginner, mid-level and upper often referred to as, "shoden, chuden and okuden."
Shoden [初伝] The first character/ideogram translates into English as, "first time; beginning," the second, "transmit; go along walk along follow, report; communicate; legend; tradition."
Chuden [中段] The first character/ideogram translates into English as, "in; inside; middle; mean; center," the second, "transmit; go along walk along follow, report; communicate; legend; tradition."
Okuden [奥伝] The first character/ideogram translates into English as, "heart; interior," the second, "transmit; go along walk along follow, report; communicate; legend; tradition."
The triad of training and practice is about increasing levels of complexities or methods/methodologies that one refines often unspoken regardless of the level of the disciple.
In karate, the majority of practitioners and sensei remain steadfast in the "shoden levels" because that is the easiest level, they never learned the next two levels and it fits well within the ease of the commercialized aspects of the discipline. I mean, to kick, punch and such are easy to fit into that square hole with the square peg, shoden, and label to fit testing, teaching and grading while maintaining a level of attendance and fees.
This is a previous article/posting I wrote long ago:
Shoden [初伝]
The characters/ideograms mean "first teachings." The first character means, "first time; beginning," the second character means, "transmit; go along; walk along; follow; report; communicate; legend; tradition."
Chuden/Chuuden [中段]
The characters/ideograms mean "middle steps; middle grade; half-way up a slope or stairway; landing; center of three (horizontal) columns (of print)." The first character means, "in; inside; middle; mean; center," the second character means, "grade; steps; stairs."
Okuden [奥伝]
The characters/ideograms mean "inner teachings; esoteric." The first character means, "heart, interior," the second character means, "transmit; go along; walk along; follow; report; communicate; legend; tradition."
These terms come from the "koryu" systems of ancient classical/traditional learnings of the martial systems. You will find them in all Japanese arts such as the tea ceremony, music, Noh drama, to flower arrangement. You may find different terminology but the underlying meaning remains the same across all disciplines.
Shoden is the foundation of all systems ergo why they are called the beginning teachings. These are the foundational supports of the entire system starting from the fundamental principles of all martial systems to the upper and lower singular basic techniques, the kata and the various beginning two-man drills called kumite with and without kata. This is possibly the most critical stage of any martial practitioner (Juji-sha [従事者]). It is where the corner stone to all the following training and teaching require to make a whole, solid and wholehearted system of practice, training and teaching. This seems to be the level where most modern martial system stay and stagnate. This is where newly minted sho-dan disappear from practice and training. The assume they have reached a level of expertise when in reality they have only proved they have the stamina and ability to go into the novice stage reaching for student.
Chuden is that stage in the middle that build upon the foundation to create the support system for the last stage or level. Much like building the frame for a building that will support the roof and thereby contribute to the whole system that makes the building withstand all that nature can throw at it. It is the level where the juji-sha find the individual unique way of practice and training. This is the stage where the decision is to diverge from either/or personal training and practice or teaching. These are those middle teachings that add to the beginning teachings and lay the blueprints out for the inner teachings, the okuden. This is the level that a few reach for and achieve. The numbers here fall drastically and usually are the fledgling yudansha of Ni-dan and San-dan levels. It is where technical proficiency is fairly strong. This is the level where one goes to a dedicated student and teacher levels.
Okuden is where we strive for perfection and enlightenment in martial systems, it is the mastery of the system. These are the inner teachings where everything to this level are brought together then the adhesive that binds them permanently into a one wholehearted holistic system is applied. Few reach this level. This is a level of mastery coupled with a certain level of enlightenment that only a very, very few can reach and achieve. This is that stage where spontaneity takes your training and practice beyond and into a expressive, free flowing style of application - in application in life to include conflicts, all aspects.
For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)
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