There are 10 Kyu and 10 Dan in JKA karate. To obtain certification for each rank, you must fulfill the certification requirements and complete the testing procedure. Testing or grading is carried out by a panel of instructors authorized as JKA technical examiners.
Typically, Dan grading sessions take place 4 times per year, and Kyu grading takes place twice. In order to be eligible for testing, you must first have gained the appropriate amount of continuous experience at your current rank. Then, depending on the level of Dan you are being graded for, you may have to take the test outside your own country or region (at the higher Dan ranks, only Tokyo JKA HQ is authorized to evaluate, grade and issue certification).
These details are summarized in the following chart.
Kyu and Dan Grading Prerequisites
|
Rank |
Min. Experience |
Testing Location |
|
10th to 1st Kyu |
|
Branch dojo or group |
|
1st Dan |
1 yr Cannot apply same day as attaining 1st Dan |
Prefectural HQ or Branch dojo or group, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ |
|
2nd Dan |
1 yr at 1st Dan rank |
National (Prefectural) HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ |
|
3rd Dan |
2 yrs at 2nd Dan rank |
|
4th Dan |
3 yrs at 3rd Dan rank |
Tokyo JKA HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ |
|
5th Dan |
4 yrs at 4th Dan rank |
|
6th Dan |
6 yrs at 5th Dan rank |
Tokyo JKA HQ |
|
7th Dan |
7 yrs at 6th Dan rank |
Spring camp in JKA HQ or Autumun camp in JKA HQ or Funakoshi Gichin Cup world championships |
|
8th Dan |
7 yrs at 7th Dan rank |
Upon recommendation by Instructor Committee |
|
9th Dan |
8 yrs at 8th Dan rank |
Upon recommendation by Instructor Committee |
|
10th Dan |
9 yrs at 9th Dan rank |
10th Kyu
KIHON – In place basics in SHIZEN TAI (HACHIJI DACHI)
1. CHUUDAN CHOKUZUKI
2. JOUDAN AGEUKECHUUDAN SOTOUKE
3. GEDAN BARAI
4. HEISOKU DACHI, GEDAN KAKIWAKE UKE: MAEGERI
* With count, 5 times each
9th Kyu
KIHON – In place basics in SHIZEN TAI (HACHIJI DACHI) to ZENKUTSU DACHI
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI
2. step in JOUDAN AGEUKE
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE,
4. GEDAN KAKIWAKE UKE: MAEGERI (in place,)
* With count, 5 times each
8th Kyu
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (5 times each of the following);
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE (step in)
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)
4. SHUTOU UKE in KOKUTSU DACHI (step in)
5. GEDAN KAKIWAKE, MAEGERI (step in)
6. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in HEISOKU DACHI, right and left 3 times each)
KATA – TAIKYOKU SHOUDAN
KUMITE – GOHON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI
7th Kyu
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (5 times each of the following);
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back)
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)
4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE (step back)
5. SHUTOU UKE KOKUTSU DACHI (step in)
6. GEDAN KAKIWAKE, MAEGERI (step in)
7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, stepping in, right and left 3 times each)
KATA – HEIAN SHOUDAN
KUMITE – GOHON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI)
6th Kyu
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (5 times each of the following);
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back)
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)
4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE (step back)
5. SHUTOU UKE in KOKUTSU DACHI (step in)
6. GEDAN KAKIWAKE UKE, MAEGERI (step in)
7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
8. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
KATA – HEIAN NIDAN
KUMITE – KIHON IPPON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left)
* Attacking order to be right JOUDAN, right CHUUDAN, then left JOUDAN, left CHUUDAN
5th Kyu
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (5 times each of the following);
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step in)
4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, CHUUDAN GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
5. SHUTOU UKE KOKUTSU DACHI (step in)
6. GEDAN KAKIWAKE UKE, MAEGERI (step in)
7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
8. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
KATA – HEIAN SANDAN
KUMITE – KIHON IPPON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN MAEGERI – right and left)
* Attacking order to be right JOUDAN, right CHUUDAN, right MAEGERI, then left JOUDAN, left CHUUDAN and left MAEGERI
4th Kyu
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (5 times each of the following);
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step in)
4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
5. SHUTOU UKE in KOKUTSU DACHI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)
6. GEDAN KAKIWAKE UKE, MAEGERI (step in)
7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
8. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
KATA – HEIAN YONDAN
KUMITE – KIHON IPPON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN MAEGERI – right and left, CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI – right and left)
* Attacking order to be right JOUDAN, right CHUUDAN, right MAEGERI, right YOKOGERI KEKIMI then left JOUDAN, left CHUUDAN, left MAEGERI and left YOKOGERI KEKOMI.
3rd Kyu
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (3 times each of the following);
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, in ZENKUTSU DACHI, changing stance to KIBA DACHI YOKO ENPI (step in)
4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
5. SHUTOU UKE in KOKUTSU DACHI, NUKITE in ZENKUTSU DACHI (step in)
6. GEDAN KAKIWAKE UKE, MAEGERI (step in)
7. REN GERI (CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)
8. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
9. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
KATA – HEIAN GODAN
KUMITE – KIHON IPPON KUMITE (KIRI KAESHI)
1. Attacking side: JOUDAN JUNZUKI (step in), JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back), right and left
Blocking side: JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back), JOUDAN JUNZUKI (step in), right and left
2. Attacking side: CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in), CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back), right and left
Blocking side: CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step back), CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in), right and left
* Attacking order to be right JOUDAN, right CHUUDAN, then left JOUDAN, left CHUUDAN. No TAISABAKI
2nd Kyu
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (3 times each of the following);
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE in ZENKUTSU DACHI, changing stance to KIBA DACHI, YOKO ENPI, YOKO URAKEN UCHI (step in)
4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
5. SHUTOU UKE in KOKUTSU DACHI, NUKITE in ZENKUTSU DACHI (step in)
6. GEDAN KAKIWAKE UKE, MAEGERI (step in)
7. REN GERI (CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)
8. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
9. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
10. MAWASHI GERI (step in)
KATA – TEKKI SHODAN
KUMITE – KIHON IPPON KUMITE (KIRI KAESHI)
1. Attacking side: JOUDAN JUNZUKI (step in), JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back), right and left
Blocking side: JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back), JOUDAN JUNZUKI (step in), right and left
2. Attacking side: CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in), CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back), right and left
3. Blocking side: CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step back), CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in), right and left
4. Attacking side: CHUUDAN MAEGERI (step in), GEDAN BARAI, GYAKU ZUKI (step back), right and left
Blocking side: GEDAN BARAI (step back), CHUUDAN MAEGERI (step in), right and left
* Attacking order to be right JOUDAN, right CHUUDAN, right MAEGERI, then left JOUDAN, left CHUUDAN. No TAISABAKI
1st Kyu
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (3 times each of the following);
1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
2. SANBON RENZUKI (step in)
3. JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
4. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, YOKO ENPI, YOKO URAKEN UCHI (ZENKUTSU DACHI changing stance to KIBA DACHI) (step in)
5. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMI ZUKI, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
6. GEDAN BARAI, GYAKU ZUKI (step in)
7. SHUTOU UKE KOKUTSU DACHI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)
8. GEDAN KAKIWAKE UKE, MAEGERI (step in)
9. REN GERI (CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)
10. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
11. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
12. MAWASHI GERI (step in)
KATA – BASSAI DAI or KANKU DAI (your choice)
KUMITE – JIYU IPPON KUMITE
1st Dan
KIHON – Moving basics from GEDAN BARAI in ZENKUTSU DACHI (3 times each of the following);
1. SANBON RENZUKI (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE, CHUUDAN MAEGERI, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, YOKO ENPI, YOKO URAKEN UCHI (ZENKUTSU DACHI changing stance to KIBA DACHI) (step in)
4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMI ZUKI, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)
5. SHUTOU UKE in KOKUTSU DACHI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)
6. MAEGERI (step in)
7. REN GERI (CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)
8. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
9. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left 3 times each) (step in)
10. MAWASHI GERI (step in)
KATA – BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, ENPI or JION (your choice)
KUMITE – JIYU IPPON KUMITE
right JOUDAN JUNZUKI, right CHUUDAN JUNZUKI, right CHUUDAN MAEGERI, right CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI, right CHUUDAN MAWASHI GERI – one side only.
2nd Dan
KIHON
1. KIZAMI ZUKI, SANBON RENZUKI (free Kamae) (step in)
2. MAEGERI, JUN ZUKI (free Kamae) (step in)
3. JOUDAN AGEUKE, CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (Block with same arm) (step back)
4. GEDAN BARAI(step back)
5. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
6. SHUTOU UKE, KIZAMI MAEGERI, NUKITE (KOKUTSU DACHI to ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step in)
7. YOKOGERI KEAGE, YOKOGERI KEKOMI (KIBA DACHI, alternate feet), YOKOGERI KEKOMI, GYAKU ZUKI (free Kamae) (step in)
8. MAWASHI GERI, GYAKU ZUKI (free Kamae)
KATA – Student’s favorite KATA
KUMITE – JIYU KUMITE
3rd Dan
KIHON
1. KIZAMI ZUKI, SANBON RENZUKI (free Kamae) (step in)
2. JOUDAN AGEUKE, CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (with same arm) (step back)
3. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMI ZUKI, GYAKU ZUKI (KOKUTSU DACHI to ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step in)
4. SHUTOU UKE, KIZAMI MAEGERI, NUKITE (KOKUTSU DACHI to ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step back)
5. JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back)
6. MAWASHI GERI, YOKOURAKENUCHI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
7. MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, MAWASHI GERI, GYAKU ZUKI (step in) (alternate feet)
MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, USHIRO GERI (ZENKUTSU DACHI, Same feet left/right)
KATA – Student’s favorite KATA
KUMITE – JIYU KUMITE
4th Dan
KIHON
1. KIZAMI ZUKI, SANBON RENZUKI (free Kamae) (step in)
2. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMI ZUKI, GYAKU ZUKI (KOKUTSU DACHI to ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step back)
3. SHUTOU UKE, KIZAMI MAEGERI, NUKITE (KOKUTSU DACHI, ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step in)
MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, GYAKU ZUKI (same feet)
MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, USHIRO GERI (ZENKUTSU DACHI same feet)
GYAKU ZUKI (Idomokuhyo: punching at different points by examiner’s direction)
KATA – Student’s favorite KATA; also SHITEI KATA (from HEIAN SHODAN to TEKKI SHODAN) specified by examiner
KUMITE – JIYU KUMITE
5th Dan
GYAKU ZUKI (Idomokuhyo: punching at different points by examiner’s direction)
KATA – GYAKU ZUKI, Student’s favorite KATA, SHITEI KATA (from HEIAN SHODAN to TEKKI SHODAN) specified by examiner; Question and Answer Session
KUMITE – JIYU KUMITE
6th Dan
KATA – Student’s favorite KATA, SENTEI KATA
GENERAL – Question and Answer Session ; Research Dissertation (about Techniques)
KUMITE – JIYU KUMITE or KIHON IPPON KUMITE
7th Dan
KATA – Student’s favorite KATA
GENERAL – Question and Answer Session ; Research Dissertation (about Techniques)
KUMITE – JIYU KUMITE or KIHON IPPON KUMITE
8th, 9th, 10th Dan
Recommendation of Instructors Committee KATA – Student’s favorite KATA
GENERAL – Question and Answer Session ; Research Dissertation (about Techniques)
KUMITE – JIYU KUMITE
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