 Did you know that it was technically possible to earn a 12th degree black belt in Judo? When the belt system was invented by Judo founder Jigoro Kano, white was not the first rank. Beginners wore a light blue belt before progressing to white. But how high could the ranking go? Most belt systems typically kept out a 10th degree. But illustrated Kotokan Judo, they stated, there is no limit on the grade one can receive. Therefore, if one does reach a stage above 10th Don, there is no reason why you should not be promoted to the 11th Don. Jigoro Kano believed that there was no restriction on knowledge and therefore no limit on rank. So in theory, a 12th degree rank was possible. However, upon his death, the Kotokan established 10th Don as the highest rank. In many arts, higher Don ranks are represented by striped belts or coral belts or stripes on the belt reaching to a master red. But according to the original layout, 12th Don would have been represented by a white belt. Full circle. Maybe it should have been light blue.