Karate-dō Promotion Requirements—Godan (5th Dan)

Brown Belt (Sankyu)

This page presents the requirements for promotion in Shimabukuro-Ha Shitō-Ryū karate-dō to the rank of godan (5th dan).  At the Seishin-Kan, godan is signified by a black belt bearing the student's name and granting organsation.

n Shikaku (Eligibility Requirements)
n Sahō to Reihō (Preparation & Etiquette)
n Kihon (Fundamentals)
n Idō Kihon (Basic Movements)
n Yakusoku Kumite (Choreographed Sparring)
n Jiyū Kumite (Free Sparring)
n Jūhō Waza ("Soft" Techniques)
n Katachi to Kata (Patterns & Examples)
n Bunkai to Ōyō (Analysis & Practical Application)
n Tameshiwari (Test Breaking)
n Gakka (Scholarship)

Shikaku (Eligibility Requirements)

To be eligible to test for sandan, a candidate must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed below:

  n A minimum of forty-eight (48) months training in Shimabukuro-ha Shitō-Ryū karate-dō since promotion to yondan
  n A minimum age of 30 years**
  n Participate in a minimum of four hundred (400) one-hour karate training classes since promotion to yondan.
  n Consistently exhibit satisfactory attitude and behaviour outside the dōjō
  n Consistently exhibit appropriate attitude and behaviour in the dōjō
  n Submit a written request for promotion testing on the prescribed form
     
  ** Students holding ranks of godan (5th degree black belt) and higher are expected to hold teaching licenses (menkyō), and are eligible to be awarded the title of Renshi.  They are also expected to serve in positions of responsibility both in and out of the dōjō.  Instruction in classical budō involves not just the physical skills and knowledge of budō, but the application of budō principles to daily life.  A godan must therefore possess the requisite personal maturity and experience to credibly teach and advise mature adults in complex matters of career, family life, and civic or social responsibility.

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Sahō to Reihō (Preparation & Etiquette)

Sahō (Preparation):   Consistently assist with class set-up and remain afterward to assist with sōji (clean up), and correctly perform mokusō to mentally prepare for training.

Reihō (Etiquette):   Consistently perform correct etiquette upon entering and leaving the dōjō,  greeting sensei and sempai and fellow participants, correctly perform hairei (venerating bow), tachi-rei (standing bow), and zarei (kneeling bow), and use proper aisatsu (formal greetings), as well as exhibiting respectful informal etiquette toward sensei, sempai, and visitors (o-kyaku-sama).

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Kihon (Fundamentals)

Correctly perform the following fundamentals: 

  n All previously required kihon


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Idō Kihon (Basic Movements)

Improved performance (speed, power, balance, footwork, posture, focus, timing, etc.) of all previously required idō kihon, including the use of tenshin (body shifting), ayumi-ashi (alternating step footwork), yori-ashi (shuffle-step footwork), and tsugi-ashi (driving-step footwork).


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Yakusoku Kumite (Choreographed Sparring)

Correctly perform ippon kumite (one-step-and-strike sparring) and sambon kumite (three-step-and-strike sparring), defending against chūdan oizuki and/or jōdan oizuki applying sundome (stopping an inch away from the body) by using the  following techniques in han-zenkutsu dachi and neko-ashi dachi:

  n Incorporate tenshin appropriately into all facets of ippon kumite and sambon kumite
  n Apply variations in stance appropriately in all facets of ippon kumite and sambon kumite
n Apply a variety of blocking, deflecting, and evading techniques in ippon kumite and sambon kumite, including kakete uke
n Apply striking and kicking combinations in ippon kumite and sambon kumite
n Apply jūhō in ippon kumite and sambon kumite
  n Apply techniques and sequences from kata in ippon kumite (only)
n Improved speed, power, timing, and accuracy in ippon kumite and sambon kumite

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Jiyū Kumite (Free Sparring)

Correctly perform basic  jiyū kumite, including:

  n Jiyū kumite sahō to reihō
  n Respond to all standard jiyū kumite commands (hajime, yame, tsuzukete, moto no ichi, etc.)
  n Perform jiyū kumite using chūdan and jōdan techniques
  n Employ effective ashi-barai (foot-sweeps) during kumite
  n Consistently employ maai, mazakai, and uchima during kumite
  n Explain basic jiyū kumite judging signals  (points, penalties, warnings, etc.)

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Juhō ("Soft" [non-striking] Methods)

Correctly perform at least two each of the following jūhō in response to an unrehearsed attack by more than one attacker:

n Kaihō Waza—escaping techniques
  n Katame Waza—grapplig techniques
  n Shime Waza—strangulation techniques
  n Nage Waza—throwing techniques

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Katachi to Kata (Patterns & Examples)

Correctly perform the following kata, either tandoku embu (solo performance) or dantai embu (synchronised group performance):

  n Matsumura no Bassai
  n Sūparimpei
n Gojūshihō
  n one Tokui kata not previously performed for shinsa
     

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Bunkai to Ōyō (Analysis & Practical Application)

Demonstrate at least two practical applications (ōyō) of techniques or combinations from each of the kata performed, including: 

  n at least one gōhō  ("hard techniques") from each kata
  n at least one jūhō  ("soft techniques") from each kata
  n at least two lethal techniques in total

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Tameshiwari (Test Breaking)

No tameshiwari performance is required for ranks of godan and above.


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Gakka (Scholarship)

Be prepared to answer any or all of the following questions:

n Explain the difference between the terms sensei and shihan.
n What is the meaning of the name "Matsumura no Bassai"?
n What is the meaning of the name "Sūparimpei"?
n What is the meaning of the name "Gojūshihō"?
n Other gakka questions to be announced ...

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Registration of Rank

NOTE:  all promotion tests in the art of karate-dō are conducted under the auspices of the Nippon Budō Seishin-Kan at one of its member dōjō or kenkyūkai.  The rankings awarded as a result of these tests are valid only among member dōjō of the Seishin-Kan, and should not be assumed to be transferable to any other dōjō or governing organisation.

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