Karate-dō Promotion Requirements—Jukkyū (10th Kyū)

Orange Belt (Jukkyu)

This page presents the requirements for promotion in Shimabukuro-Ha Shitō-Ryū karate-dō to the rank of jukkyū (10th kyū).  At the Seishin-Kan, jukkyū is signified by a white belt for adults, and an orange belt for youth and children.

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 jukkyū, a candidate must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed below: have participated in at least 20 one-hour karate classes conducted during a period of not less than six weeks since beginning his or her training as a shoshinsha, own and wear a karate-gi conforming to Seishin-Kan standards, exhibit apppropriate behaviour and attitude in the dōjō, and submit a written request for promotion testing on the apppropriate form.

  n A minimum of six (6) weeks training in Shimabukuro-ha Shitō-Ryū karate-dō
  n Participate in a minimum of twenty (20) one-hour karate training classes
  n Own and wear a karate-gi that conforms to Seishin-Kan standards
  n Consistently exhibit appropriate attitude and behaviour in the dōjō
  n Submit a written request for promotion testing on the prescribed form

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Sahō to Reihō (Preparation & Etiquette)

Sahō (Preparation):   Correctly wear karate-gi and keep it clean and neat, correctly tie obi (belt), consistently arrive in time to assist with class set-up and remain afterward to assist with sōji (clean up).

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).

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Kihon (Fundamentals)

Correctly perform the following fundamentals: 

  n Musubi Dachi ("closed" stance)
  n Heikō Dachi ("parallel" stance)
  n Zenkutsu Dachi (front stance)
  n Han-zenkutsu Dachi (half-front stance)
  n Gedan Barai (low-sweeping block)
  n Yoko Uke (outward forearm block)
  n Uchi Uke (inward forearm block)
  n Age Uke (upward forearm block)
  n Chokuzuki (straight punch)
  n Gyakuzuki (reverse punch)
  n Choku-geri (straight kick)
  n Sokutō-geri (foot-edge kick
  n Ushiro geri (rearward kick)


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Idō Kihon (Basic Movements)

Correctly perform the following techniques while stepping forward, backward, or turning in zenkutsu dachi:

  n Gedan Barai (low-sweeping block)
  n Yoko Uke (outward forearm block)
  n Uchi Uke (inward forearm block)
  n Age Uke (upward forearm block)
  n Chokuzuki (straight punch)
  n Choku-geri (straight kick)
  n Shuri-te mawari kata (Shuri-style turning methods)

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Yakusoku Kumite (Choreographed Sparring)

Correctly perform ippon kumite (one-step-and-strike sparring), defending against chūdan oizuki applying sundome (stopping an inch away from the body) by using the  following techniques:

  n Gedan Barai followed by gyakuzuki chūdan
  n Uchi Uke followed by gyakuzuki chūdan
  n Yoko Uke followed by gyakuzuki chūdan

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Jiyū Kumite (Free Sparring)

Jiyū kumite is not a requirement for jukkyū.

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Jūhō ("Soft" [non-striking] Methods)

Correctly perform the following kaihō waza (escape techniques):

n Kote mawari-hineri to escape sage jun-dori
  n Nukite osae to escape sage gyaku-dori
  n Yoko ukemi, mae ukemi, and ushiro ukemi breakfalls from a kneeling position

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Katachi to Kata (Patterns & Examples)

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

  n Kihon Katchi Ichi
  n Kihon Katachi Ni

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Bunkai to Ōyō (Analysis & Practical Application)

Explain the underlying reasons or principles for the following techniques from Kihon Katachi Ichi and Ni: 

  n Why is the first movement in the katachi a turn to the left?
  n Why do we strike the same place (suigetsu) three times in a row?
  n Why do we kiai on the third oizuki (punch) in each series?

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Tameshiwari (Test Breaking)

Tameshiwari is not required for promotion to jukkyū.

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Gakka (Scholarship)

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

n What does the word "karate" mean? Empty—also vast or limitless—hands
  n What is the name of our style of karate-dō? Shimabukuro-Ha Shitō-Ryū
  n What is the meaning of the word "sensei"? Teacher or instructor (literally, "born earlier")
  n What does "o-negai shimasu" mean? Please (requesting a favour)
  n What does "arigatō gozaimashita" mean? Thank you (past tense)
  n Recite the Dōjō Kun from memory. Click here to view the Seishin-Kan Dōjō Kun

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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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Questions?

QuestionMark

If you are preparing to test and you are not sure you know or meet all the requirements described on this page, please be sure to ask your sempai or sensei during a class session.

Promotion Requirements

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