The following international standards of rank have been accepted and recognized by the Zen Nihon Karatedo Remmei. The main goal of these standards is to unite all Karate groups under one administrative structure. These goals are as follows:
1. To standardize Kyu/Dan ranking worlwide, which until now, were left up to the judgement of each independent organization.
2. To establish uniform guidelines in which Kyu/Dan ranks are measured and awarded based on technical progress, personal development and contributive service.
**Link To Examination Requirements Can
Be Found On Bottom Of Page Two**
_____________________________________
This evaluation is not solely based upon the physical techniques of karate, but encompasses the entire human being: physical, psychological and spiritual development. Increases in rank are awarded in proportion to an individual's degree of development toward the karate goals of perfection.
*** There Are Three Types Of Ranking ***
Regular Rank: The stage of progress of the human character as reached through physical and spiritual practice of karate.
Recommended Rank: The state of progress of the human character as reached through both an individual's continued practice as well as one's total contribution and service to the development of karate.
Honorary Rank: An award of rank as a result either directly or indirectly of one's service and support of the development of karate.
__________________________________________________
*** KYU (Step) CRITERIA ***
Zero (0) Kyu, Ju (10th) Kyu, Ku (9th) Kyu Hachi (8th) Kyu
This is the ability level (novice/beginner) wherein the individual is able to perform and apply the most simple external actions and techniques.
_______________________________
Shichi (7th) Kyu, Roku (6th) Kyu, Go (5th) Kyu, Yon (4th) Kyu
Each of these intermediate levels requires an increased stage of development of both technical and mental skills.
_______________________________
San (3rd) Kyu, Ni (2nd) Kyu, Ik (1st) Kyu
At this advanced level of ability, overall technique in all areas should begin to take on a very clear a distinct understanding.
________________________________
Shodan-Ho* (*Almost/Nearly) 1st Dan Level Black Belt
At this point, the student is more than a 1st Kyu and not yet a Shodan. They must be capable of executing all fundamental body movements and techniques with proper application. This includes all hand and leg techniques.
__________________________________________
*** Regular Yudansha Grade Criteria ***
Sho (1st) Dan: Physically, a first-degree black belt is a person who knows all the basic body movements and techniques, and who can apply those movements and techniques with enough extended force to neutralize an opponent of equal size, weight, and strength.
Ni (2nd) Dan: This is the level at which the student has not only mastered the basics, but also has internalized them. This means that the student is now able to perform the techniques more spontaneously, and with more speed, power, and grace.
San (3rd) Dan: This is the "stepping out" ranking because it is much farther distant from nidan than nidan is from shodan. The sandan candidate is expected to have a clear understanding of all the underlying principles of all techniques and body movements.
Yon (4th) Dan: This is generally considered the first teaching level of karate. That is, a person who attains yondan should be able to independently produce shodans, taking students from white belt to black belt without any outside help.
Go (5th) Dan: This is generally acknowledged as the "entry-level master" ranking. People attaining godan have probably been practicing steadily for at least 15-20 years and have a very deep understanding of their art and, based upon their training, of themselves.
Roku (6th) Dan: This level indicates that the person attaining it has performed advanced research that is of universal benefit to all karate students.
Nana (7th) Dan: This level indicates that the person attaining it has done extensive testing of his rokudan research and has applied it widely in actual application.
Hachi (8th) Dan: This is reserved for people who have completed advanced research in a new and previously unknown area of karate technique, theory, or teaching.
Ku (9th) Dan: This level is normally reserved for those very few individuals who have dedicated their entire lives to karate-do in an extraordinary way. A person attaining kudan is thought to be the living embodiment of the very best qualities a human being can develop through dedication to karate-do.
Ju (10th) Dan: This is usually reserved for the head of the style, although it is sometimes awarded to people who have achieved a level of respect accorded only to heads of styles. In many organizations, judan is awarded only in honor of the death of the person receiving it.
______________________________________________
-Standard Term For Training & Age Considerations-
RANK LEVEL********MINIMUM TIME********MINIMUM AGE
0 Kyu..................Entry Level Novice.....................None
10 Kyu No more than 3 months practice after beginning training None
9 Kyu No more than 3 months practice after receiving 10th Kyu None
8 Kyu No more than 3 months practice after receiving 9th Kyu None
7 Kyu No more than 3 months practice after receiving 8th kyu None
6 Kyu No more than 3 months practice after receiving 7th kyu None
5 Kyu No more than 3 months practice after receiving 6th kyu None
4 Kyu No more than 3 months practice after receiving 5th kyu None
3 Kyu No more than 6 months practice after receiving 4th kyu None
2 Kyu No more than 6 months practice after receiving 3rd kyu None
1 Kyu No more than 6 months practice after receiving 2nd kyu None
Shodan-Ho....3-6 months practice after receiving 1st kyu....None
RANK LEVEL********MINIMUM TIME********MINIMUM AGE
Shodan----No more than 6-9 months after receiving Shodan-Ho----16*
(*In certain circumstances, Junior Shodan, Junior Nidan and Junior Sandan may be awarded to individuals under the age of 16. At the age of 18, Junior Shodan, Junior Nidan and Junior Sandan rankings are automatically converted to regular Shodan, Nidan and Sandan as deemed appropriate.)
RANK LEVEL********MINIMUM TIME********MINIMUM AGE
Nidan----No less than 2 years after 1st Dan----18
Sandan----No less than 3 years after 2nd Dan----21
Yondan----No less than 3 years after 3rd Dan----25
Godan----No less than 3 years after 4th Dan----30
Rokudan----No less than 5 years after 5th Dan----35
Nanadan----No less than 5 years after 6th Dan----40
Hachidan----No less than 7 years after 7th Dan----50
Kudan----No less than 7 years after 8th Dan----60
Judan----No less than 7 years after 9th Dan----70
____________________________________________
*** Kyu/Dan Belt Colors ***
Although many SKJF Dojo may utilize a variety of different "colored" belts to designate Kyu & Dan ranks, the following color scheme is recommended to provide uniformity throughout the SKJF.
ZeroKyu: White, KuKyu: Yellow, JuKyu: Orange, HachiKyu: Blue
SichiKyu: Purple, RokuKyu: Purple 1 green stripe
GoKyu: Green, YonKyu: Green 1 brown stripe
SanKyu: Brown, NiKyu: Brown 2 white stripe, IkKyu: Brown 2 white stripe & 1 black stripe
Shodan-Ho: Cotton Black Belt 1 white stripe (No Embroidery)
Shodan - Godan: Satin Black Belt with GOLD embroidery of SKJF & Name
Rokudan - Judan: Satin Black Belt with RED embroidery of SKJF & Name
Those Yudansha from Rokudan/Renshi and above may also elect to wear a Jinbaori (black vest garment) while teaching or during examinations.
Kyu / Dan Examination Requirements Continued
shotokan karate shotojuku shotojukukai skjf funakoshi fey kenkojuku pinellas clearwater st. petersburg tae kwon do traditional shotokan karate shotojuku shotojukukai skjf funakoshi fey kenkojuku pinellas clearwater st. petersburg tae kwon do traditional shotokan karate shotojuku shotojukukai skjf funakoshi fey kenkojuju pinellas clearwater st. petersburg tae kwon do traditional shotokan karate shotojuku shotojukukai skjf funakoshi fey kenkojuku pinellas clearwater st. petersburg tae kwon do traditional pinellas park