The History of this belt comes from the Tracy's Kenpo Karate home page
This page contains a brief history of the Kenpo karate Kyu ranking.
Ikkyu is the highest rank below black belt in Kenpo Karate, karate and all martial arts that use the Japanese Kyu/Dan ranking. Kyu ranking, like a handicap, uses the highest number to indicate a lack of proficiency. Thus a Hachikyu (8-Kyu) is lower in rank than a Nanakyu/Shichikyu (7-Kyu), while Ikkyu (1-Kyu) is the highest Kyu. In Japan #1 is considered the best, while #10 is the worst--you don't want to be a 10 in Japan. However, Dan ranking is just the opposite, where Shodan (1-rank means literally, the lowest rank) while Nidan (2-rank) is the next rank and Judan (10-rank) the highest rank. Styles like Kempo, American Kenpo and Chinese Kenpo usually do not use the Kyu ranks but give the Tracy colored belts below brown belt, and then give 3rd brown, 2nd brown and 1st brown, before giving 1st black belt. To avoid confusion, the Kyu ranks are often referred to by their English (or other countries language) names. But unless a Kyu or Dan ranking has been awarded, as it is in Tracy's Kenpo Karate, a 1st degree brown belt is not recognized as an Ikkyu, nor is a 1st degree black belt recognized as a Shodan. These are ranks of skill and honor that are awarded by Kenpo Karate Yudansha (those holding Dan ranks) who have received their rank from higher ranked Yudansha. It's like belonging to an exclusive organization (like the Masons or Knights of Columbus) where degrees of knowledge have meaning. One outside the organization may have the same knowledge, and still not be counted as a member. The skill and requirements for Ikkyu in Kenpo Karate are, therefore, much higher than 1st degree brown belt in American Kenpo, and represent the time honored tradition of the Japanese belt ranking.