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EXAMS

Requirements

 

From the advanced students we'll require a bit higher activity before the exams - you probably understand the neccessity of that. To make it simple and avoid misunderstandings, please find the training attendance requirements below:

 

Taking an exam for 

- 5th and 4th kyu (blue and purple belt): 55% participation the last 6 months before the test

- 3rd, 2nd and 1st kyu (brown belt): 60% participation the last 6 months before the test

- 1st dan or higher (black belt): 65% participation the last 6 months before the test (1 year waiting time after the 1st kyu test)

The JKA Kyu and Dan Rank Certification System

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).

Kyu ranking

10thKyu

【KIHON】In place basics in SHIZEN TAI

1. CHUUDAN CHOKUZUKI

2. JOUDAN AGEUKE

3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE

4. GEDAN BARAI

5. MAEGERI (HEISOKU DACHI, GEDAN KAKIWAKE)

* “GOREI” command (From right side in turn for each Waza)

 

9thKyu

【KIHON】In place basics in SHIZEN TAI to ZENKUTSU DACHI and back to SHIZEN TAI

1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI

2. JOUDAN AGEUKE

3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE,

4. MAEGERI (ZENKUTSUDACHI, GEDAN KAKIWAKE)

* “GOREI” command (From right side two action in turn for each WAZA)

8thKyu

【KIHON】IDOU KIHON Moving basics

1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)

2. JOUDAN AGEUKE (step in)

3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)

4. GEDAN BARAI (step in)

5. KOKUTSU SHUTOU UKE (step in)

6. MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in HEISOKU DACHI, right and left 2 times each)

【KATA】 TAIKYOKU SHOUDAN

【KUMITE】 GOHON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI)

7thKyu

【KIHON】IDOU KIHON Moving basics

1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)

2. JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back)

3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)

4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE (step back)

5. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE (step in)

6. MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, stepping in, right and left)

【KATA】 HEIAN SHODAN

【KUMITE】 GOHON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI)

6thKyu

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)

2. JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back)

3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)

4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE (step back)

5. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE (step in)

6. MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

8. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

【KATA】 HEIAN NIDAN

【KUMITE】 KIHON IPPON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left)

5thKyu

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

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. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE (step in)

6. MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

8. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

【KATA】 HEIAN SANDAN

【KUMITE】 KIHON IPPON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN MAEGERI – right and left, GEDAN KAKIWAKE – right and left)

4thKyu

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

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. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)

6. MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

7. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

8. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

【KATA】 HEIAN YONDAN

【KUMITE】 KIHON IPPON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN MAEGERI GEDAN KAKIWAKE – right and left, CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI – right and left)

3rdKyu

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)

2. JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)

3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step in)

4. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)

5. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)

6. MAEREGI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

7. REN GERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)

8. MAWASHIGERI

9. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

10. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

【KATA】 HEIAN GODAN

【KUMITE】 KIHON IPPON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUDAN MAEGERI GEDAN KAKIWAKE – right and left, CHUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI – right and left)

2ndKyu

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

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. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)

6. MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

7. REN GERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE, CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)

8. MAWASHI GERI (step in)

9. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

10. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in ZENKUTSUDATI) (step in)

【KATA】 TEKKI SHODAN

【KUMITE】 JIYUU IPPON KUMITE (JODAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN MAEGERI, CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI right)

1stKyu

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

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, GYAKU ZUKI (step back)

6. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)

7. MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

8. RENGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)

9. MAWASHIGERI (step in)

10. YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)

11. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)

【KATA】 BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, ENPI or JION (your choice)

【KUMITE】 JIYU IPPON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN MAEGERI, CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI, JOUDAN MAWASHIGERI) right

* Inform your choice of JOUDAN or CHUUDAN for MAWASHIGERI

Dan ranking

1stDan

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)

2. SANBON RENZUKI (step in)

3. JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)

4. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, YOKOENPI, YOKOURA KENUCHI, GYAKUZUKI (ZENKUTSU DACHI changing stance to KIBA DACHI changing stance to ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)

5. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMI ZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (step back)

6. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)

7. MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)

8. RENGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)

9. MAWASHIGERI (step in)

10. YOKOGERI KEAGE (KIBADACHI – right and left) (step in)

11. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (ZENKUTSUDACHI)

【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)

* Inform your choice of JOUDAN or CHUUDAN for MAWASHIGERI

2ndDan

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

1. CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)

2. SANBON RENZUKI (step in)

3. AGEUKE, SOTOUKE (with same arm), GYAKUZUKI (step back)

4. UCHIUKE, KIZAMIZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (KOKUTSU DACHI to ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step in)

5. KOUKUTSHU SHUTOUUKE, KIZAMI MAEGERI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)

6. RENGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE CHUUDAN, JOUDAN) (step in)

7. YOKOGERI KEAGE, YOKOGERI KEKOMI (KIBA DACHI, alternate feet)

8. YOKOGERI KEKOMI (ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)

9. MAWASHIGERI (step in)

10. AGEUKE (step back), MAWASHIGERI, YOKOURA KENUCHI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)

【KATA】 Student’s favorite KATA

【KUMITE】 JIYU KUMITE

3rdDan

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

1. JOUDAN KIZAMI ZUKI, JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN GYAKUZUKI (free Kamae) (step in)

2. JOUDAN AGEUKE, CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (with same arm), GYAKUZUKI (step back)

3. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMI ZUKI, GYAKU ZUKI (KOKUTSU DACHI to ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step in)

4. KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, KIZAMI MAEGERI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)

5. AGEUKE (step back), MAWASHIGERI, YOKOURA KENUCHI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)

6. MAEGERI, GYAKUZUKI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, GYAKUZUKI, MAWASHIGERI, GYAKUZUKI (alternate feet ) (step in)

【KATA】 Student’s favorite KATA

【KUMITE】 JIYU KUMITE

4thDan

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

1. SANBON RENZUKI (step in)

2. AGEUKE, SOTOUKE (with same arm), GYAKUZUKI (step back)

3. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMIZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (KOKUTSU DACHI, ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step in)

4. SHUTOUUKE, KIZAMI MAEGERI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)

5. MAEGERI, JUNZUKI (step in)

6. MAEGERI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)

7. YOKOGERI KEKOMI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)

8. MAWASHIGERI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)

9. MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, USHIROGERI (ZENKUTSU DACHI same feet right and left)

【KATA】 from HEIAN SHODAN to TEKKI NIDAN specified by examiner, Student’s favorite KATA

【KUMITE】 JIYU KUMITE

5thDan

【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics

1. SANBON RENZUKI (step in)

2. AGEUKE, SOTOUKE (with same arm), GYAKUZUKI (step back)

3. CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMIZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (KOUKUTSU DACHI, ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)

4. SHUTOU UKE, KIZAMI MAEGERI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)

5. MAEGERI, JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN GYAKUZUKI (step in)

6. YOKOGERI KEKOMI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)

7. MAWASHIGERI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)

8. MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, MAWASHIGERI, GYAKUZUKI (alternate feet) (step in)

9. MAEREGI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, USHIROGERI (ZENKUTSUDACHI, with same foot, right and left)

【KATA】 from HEIAN SHODAN to TEKKI SANDAN – specified by examiner, Student’s favorite KATA (Question and Answer Session)

【KUMITE】 JIYU KUMITE

6thDan

【KIHON】 Specified by examiner

【KATA】 BASSAIDAI, KANKUUDAI, ENPI, or JION – specified by examiner   Student’s favorite KATA (Question and Answer Session)

【KUMITE】 JIYUU KUMITE

– Question and Answer Session on technique

– Submit a report on technique on the exam day

7thDan

【KIHON】 Specified by examiner

【KATA】 Student’s favorite KATA (Question and Answer Session)

【KUMITE】 JIYUU KUMITE

– Question and Answer Session on technique

– Submit a report on technique on the exam day

8thDan

Recommendation by Shihankai

9th and 10thDan

Recommendation by Shihankai

【NOTE】 <from 2nd Dan to 7th Dan> General KUMITE for men / women the age of 60 and above are required JIYUU KUMITE or JIYUU IPPON KUMITE (JODAN JUNZUKI, CHUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUDAN MAEGERI, CHUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI, MAWASHIGERI) right

* Inform JOUDAN or CHUDAN as for MAWASHIGERI

Source: https://www.jka.or.jp/en

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