I was reading about Eizo Shimabukoro and on one site this caught my eye:
So what's the difference between a 10. degree black belt and 10. degree red belt ? I had always thought that they were basically one and the same in those systems that use the red belt. Just curious, that's all...Because Master Shimabukoro maintained the traditions and excellence of Shorin-ryu after Master Kyan's death, in 1959 Kangen Toyama, President of the All Japan Karatedo League and founder of Shudokan Karate, promoted him to tenth degree black belt. Kangen Toyama also appointed Master Shimabukoro the chairman, Okinawan Headquarters, of the All Japan Karatedo League. Two years later, in 1961, at the age of 36, he was awarded the tenth degree red belt, the youngest man ever to attain this status.