KarateKarate-Do Karate-Do is an art that is now known and practiced in all corners of the world. It is indeed a true martial art that shares spiritually in the concepts of Nippon Budo; expressing an earnest quest for peace through the controlled use of fighting skills. By the turn of the twentieth century, Okinawa, represented by Master Gichin Funakoshi, introduced Karate (which translates as "empty hand") to Japan. From this modest beginning in Okinawa, KarateDo now has devotees in every sport loving country. As it developed many leading Karate men in Japan, other countries made their own interpretations on the practice of the art and today, Karate-Do is nobody's monopoly. Karate-Do is a unique sport strictly governed by the codes and principles of courtesy, benevolence and spiritual understanding. Unlike other sports, which depend upon the concepts of winning and losing, Karate-Do is distinguished by being an art of justified selfdefense. Thus the matches are fought in the true spirit of Budo where the winner does not boast of his victory nor is the loser discouraged by his defeat. Since Karate is and has been the subject of much sensationalism in the media, it is usual to regard it only as a matter of the Karate expert smashing hard objects and dealing death and destruction while remaining immune from injury. This image can be compared with the image of the sea if one only saw the surface. Karate is a physical, mental and moral culture which stresses the highest ethical principles. Any student attempting to master the surface manifestations of Karate without mastering the essence would fail. Only those who faithfully practice the moral and mental disciplines can ever gain the inner strengths that enable them to endure the rigorous physical training of Karate. Andrew Bowerbank, a student of O-Sensei Tsuruoka, has published two books on O-Sensei’s life and teachings. Contact your instructor for information. TSURUOKA KARATE DOJO – SHOTOKAN STYLE COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introductory level course on Karate and self-defense. Karate is a Martial Art which utilizes explosive punches and kicks and utilizes the whole body as a weapon. The student will be instructed in the basic stances, punches, blocks and kicks of TSURUOKA Karate. The first forms (Kata), which are a requirement for the first belt level grading, will also be taught. We have available for purchase two excellent DVD’s, each showing four(4) kata, from the initial kata 27 Movements up to Heian Godan. Loose comfortable clothing (eg. sweat pants and T-shirt) is advisable. Karate uniforms (GI) are optional and are available through the club. Ask your instructor for details. NOTE: Addition for beginners classes: It is recommended that you register for both nights to ensure that you progress as quickly as possible. All Black Belt instructors have nationally recognized Dan Ranks and are qualified to teach all levels of Karate across Canada. DOJO RULES 1. Aggressive behaviour inside or outside the DOJO will not be tolerated. 2. No one will be allowed to leave the DOJO once training has commenced. 3. If you are late for class, sit quietly in the back of the DOJO in Seiza position until invited to join the class by the instructor. 4. Wearing jewelry (watches, rings, etc.) is not permitted. 5. Observe good personal hygiene and keep your GI clean. 6. Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed short. 7. Swearing or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave the class. 2 GENERAL HINTS FOR BEGINNERS One of the most important principles of the martial arts to remember is mutual benefit. By this, it is meant that all members are to help each other. So don’t be reserved in asking for assistance or advice no matter how trivial you may think your question sounds. In training, don’t expect good results in a short time. Karate training may extend over ones entire life so there is no need for haste. In the study of any subject, little is to be gained from haphazard training, and thus, particularly in a martial art such as Karate, steady, unremitting training is required. Many people train furiously in Karate initially but lose their enthusiasm even before the end of the first year. Clearly, very little good can be gained from such sporadic training and, in fact, heavy training before the body is properly conditioned can result in injury to the body. For this reason, train systematically, without becoming impatient or overexerting yourself, and develop gradually, advancing steadily, one step at a time. KELOWNA TSURUOKA KARATE KARATE DOJO HISTORY and BACKGROUND INFORMATION Our Master, Mr. Masami Tsuruoka, with over 50 years of Karate experience, first introduced Karate to Canada in 1957. He currently resides in Toronto and holds the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt and is one of the very few people who have ever held that Dan level. Mr. Tsuruoka is well known and respected in Karate circles around the world. 10th Dan is the highest belt ranking there is in existence, being reserved for those persons who have made an exceptional contribution to karate. Our Chief Instructors are Mr. Gordon Kirschner who currently holds the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt and has over 30 years of Karate training and teaching experience. Glen Kawaguchi 5th Degree with over 25 years experience, and Rick Penner 5th Degree with over 21 years experience. All senior Black Belt instructors possess National Karate Association Black Belt Certificates and N.C.C.P. (National Coaching Certification Program) Level 2 (Theory) Certificates so you can be assured that you are being taught by instructors who are fully qualified and registered to teach in Canada. There are currently ten Black Belts training or teaching at our Dojo (training hall). 3 INSTRUCTORS Sensei Gordon Kirschner Sensei Glen Kawaguchi Semsei Rick Penner Sempai Lars Jensen Sempai Corey Tomiye Sempai Neil Jordan Sempai Robert Levin Sempai Fred Beggs Sempai Andy Buch 6th Dan Chief Instructor (B.C.) 5th Dan Chief Instructor 5th Dan Chief Instructor 3rd Dan (Instructor) 3rd Dan (Instructor) 2nd Dan (Instructor) 2nd Dan (Instructor) 2nd Dan (Instructor) 1st Dan (Instructor) Our club is the oldest established traditional Karate club in Kelowna as well as being one of the original clubs in British Columbia. It was founded in 1971 by Mr. Warren Maurer who holds the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt. We have been part of the Parkinson Recreation Centre since its opening in 1971. We are also members of the National Karate Association, the sport governing body for Karate in which Mr. Tsuruoka is a Technical Advisor and past president. Our instructors include Canadian national champions and BC provincial champions, multiple winners of gold, silver, and bronze medals in national and provincial competition. We also have more senior level qualified officials than any other dojo in BC. Our karateka (students) are winners of national and BC provincial championships, and our junior students consistently win gold, silver, and bronze medals at BC provincial and local karate tournaments. Our style is “TSURUOKA” Karate, which is based on the ’SHOTOKAN’ style of Karate developed by Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi. ‘To-de’ came from China to Okinawa (To-de is the Chinese martial art upon which Karate is based). In Okinawa, there developed two main styles of Karate. Named for the towns in which they originated, one was Shuri-te, a softer more flowing style. The other was Naha-te, a more aggressive and fierce style, using deep breathing and quick sharp movements. Master Funakoshi blended these two styles into one: Shoto-Kan. In 1935, students of Master Funakoshi opened a Dojo in Tokyo in his honour and named it Shoto-Kan Karate Dojo. It was not Master Funakoshi’s idea to call his method Shoto-Kan. His basic desire was to call all styles under one name, Japanese Karate. But after the opening of the Dojo, the style he had developed became known as Shoto-Kan. The name was chosen by his students because Shoto was the pen name used by Master Funakoshi. Shoto means “pine” and “waves” and Kan means “building”. Okinawa is an island whose many pine trees are swept by ocean winds and breezes. No doubt, his feelings for his island homeland inspired Master Funakoshi to choose his pen name. 4 SENSEI MASAMI TSURUOKA AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE N.K.A. Before 1945, awareness of Karate in Canada was largely confined to certain obscure scholars of Oriental studies and a few returned Canadian military servicemen who had come into contact with martial arts while serving in the east. It was in this year, 1945, that Mr. Masami Tsuruoka, born in Cumberland, British Columbia of Japanese parents journeyed to the land of his forefathers to begin his studies in the martial arts. He first studied JUDO, attaining the rank of Black Belt, 1st Dan. However, during a trip to Tokyo, he chanced to witness a Karate demonstration and was so impressed, he resolved to learn this ancient art. Upon his return to Kumamoto, he began studying ChitoChito-ryu Karate with Master Chitose. In 1949, he achieved the rank of 1st degree degree black belt when he was 20 years old. At this time, he was well known in southern Japan as a disciplined fighter of great skill and ferocity as well as being an excellent technician. In 1956, having attained the rank of nidan, he returned to Canada and started this country's first accredited Karate school in 1957 with only 3 students. Shortly thereafter in 1962, Sensei Tsuruoka organized the first Karate tournament ever held in Canada and the United States and laid the foundations for the National Karate Association. Governed by a national council comprised of elected representatives from provinces across the country, the N.K.A. sets technical standards and organizes the National Black Belt Championship tournament. A certification program is regularly conducted conducted to test and upgrade national level referees. The N.K.A. of Canada is a member of the World Karate Federation who is in turn a member of the I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee). The N.K.A. selects representative teams to compete on behalf of Canada Canada at 5 tournaments such as the Commonwealth Karate Championships, the Pan--American Karate Championships and the World Championships. Pan Graduating his first black belts in 1964, he participated in the establishment of many other accredited Karate schools in Canada and the United States, including this club, thus furthering the spread of the art to many thousands of students of all races, creeds and colours. The Canadian government invested Mr. Tsuruoka with the Centennial Medal in 1967 in recognition of his unique service to his country, and he has received various other honours since. Many of Sensei Tsuruoka's students were instrumental in the spread and development of Karate in Canada during its formative years. Among these is Sensei Warren Maurer, who established established the Kelowna Karate--do Association) in Karate Association (now the B.C. Tsuruoka Karate 1972. One of Sensei Maurer's original students, Sensei Gordon Kirschner, is currently the chief instructor for the B.C. Tsuruoka Karate Association with the head Dojo (Honbu) being located in Kelowna. O-Sensei Tsuruoka holds the rank of 10th Dan Black Belt and is the head of Tsuruoka KarateKarate-Do in Canada. His name can also be found in the book of Karate Genetics and various Karate Geneology charts. DOJODOJO-KUN The ultimate ultimate aim in the art of Karate, lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants. 6 BASIC DOJO ETIQUETTE AND TERMINOLOGY As a beginner, you will find that etiquette in the martial arts DOJO is somewhat different than what you would encounter in other activities; the reason being that Karate is Asian in origin and philosophy and such practices are carried out in respect to the founders. Also because Karate is truly an international sport, or art, such etiquette forms a common bond the world over. OSU: This term looms large in DOJO vocabulary and is derived from “Onare Wa Shinobu”, meaning “I will persevere”. The usage of this term is broad and usually indicates an attitude of respect. Examples of such usage are as follows: 1 When first entering or leaving the DOJO in conjunction with a standing bow (RITSU-REI) made in the direction of the “KAMIZA” (see below). 2. At the beginning and end of class under the direction of the instructor in conjunction with a kneeling bow (ZAREI). 3. When answering a question directed to you in the affirmative. 4. In a class session, in response to a direction given by the instructor, which indicates that the class has understood that direction. These examples are by no means exhaustive but will provide an initial guide pending more familiarization with the martial arts. KAMIZA: A prominent physical feature of the DOJO is the KAMIZA (upper seat) which is easily recognizable by the traditional pictures of the founders and an appropriate framed calligraphy (GAKU) of philosophical connotation. It is the focal point to which ZAREI (kneeling bow) is directed at the beginning and end of each class. 7 SENSEI: A literal translation of this term means teacher. However, it is a term that is usually reserved for the chief instructor of the DOJO who holds DAN ranking or visiting instructors from other schools holding the rank of 4th DAN or higher. SEMPAI: Any senior student by rank or position. ZAREI and RITSURITSU-REI: ZAREI (kneeling bow) is performed in the direction of the KAMIZA and the instructor at the beginning and end of each class session. RITSU-REI (standing bow) is performed when entering and leaving the DOJO, before and after practice with a partner and when first greeting the DOJO SENSEI. It must be pointed out here that there is absolutely no religious significance or subservience involved in the custom, and is merely a matter of mutual respect of each other and of the martial arts. DAN and KYU: KYU DAN, meaning step, and KYU meaning class, are terms relating to achievement levels reached by students of the martial arts. Each level is indicated by the colour of the student’s belt and is listed here in order of ascending expertise: 6th KYU (beginner) ……………………………… 5th KYU ………………………………………….. 4th KYU ………………………………………….. 3rd KYU ………………………………………….. 2nd KYU ………………………………………….. 1st KYU ………………………………………….. White Belt Yellow Orange Green Blue Brown 1st DAN to 5th DAN …………..………………….. Black Belt 6th DAN to 8th DAN …………..………………….. Black or Red & White 9th DAN to 10th DAN ………….…………………..Black or Red NOTE: 10th DAN is rare, traditionally almost always exclusively reserved for the founding master of each particular style 8 BEGINNING AND/OR ENDING A CLASS The following is the sequence of commands that you will expect to follow at the opening and closing of a class session: SHUGO COME TOGETHER (ie. line up facing the KAMIZA in order of rank, with the senior student being to your left) KIO-TSUKE COME TO ATTENTION (feet together and hands by your sides) SEIZA KNEEL INTO ZAREI POSITION MOKUSO MEDITATE (to clear the mind) YAME STOP MEDITATION SHOMEN-NI, REI BOW TOWARDS THE KAMIZA (to the front) SENSEI-NI, REI BOW TOWARDS THE SENSEI (YUDANSHA-NI, REI) (also bow to any other Black Belts) BASIC KARATE TERMINOLOGY BUDO …………………. Martial Way or Path; a fighting discipline whose aim is to promote the spiritual development of its practitioners DO…………………….. Literally means the way or path. The DO is the way for the perfection of human character as in KARATE-DO DOJO …………………. Training hall or room GI …………………… Training uniform (KARATE-GI) HAJIME ……………… Begin or Start KARATE The Okinawan “Art of the Empty Hand”. Introduced to ………………. Japan in 1922 9 KARATE-DO……….. KARATE-KA………… KATA…………………. KIAI…………………. KIME………………… KOHAI……………… KUMITE……………… MAKIWARA………….. MAWATTE……………. OKI…………………… SEMPAI……………… YAME………………… YOI……………………. ZANSHIN…………… “The Way of the Empty Hand”. The modern name for the Okinawan art Literally means KARATE men (women) Prearranged forms in which the student demonstrates and practices basic technique by fighting imaginary opponents A sharp sound made at the instant of focus to help tense the body and focus the mind for more effective KIME (see below) Focus. The pinpoint concentration of mind and body to achieve maximum effectiveness Junior member of the DOJO Sparring: There are two types of KUMITE sparring: 1. KIHON KUMITE – Basic sparring a) KIHON-IPPON KUMITE: one attack, one defense training from a basic stance b) SANBON-KUMITE: three continuous attacks and corresponding defenses c) JIYU-IPPON KUMITE: one attack, one defense training from a free style stance 2. JIYU-KUMITE – free sparring A padded punching board used to develop power and focus in the technique Turn around Belt Senior person in belt ranking Stop Ready A term used to describe the state of total awareness at the moment of attack and/or defense COUNTING 1 – ICHI (eetch) 2 – NI (knee) 3 – SAN (sun) 4 – SHI (shee) 5 – GO (go) 6 – ROKU (rook) 10 7 – SHICHI (seech) 8 – HACHI (hutch) 9 – KYU (kyu) 10 – JU (joo) KARATE TERMINOLOGY BODY AREA GEDAN CHUDAN JODAN MIGI HIDARI (geh-dan) (chew-dan) (joe-dan) (mee-ghee) (hih-dah-ree) lower area of the body middle level or chest area upper level or face area right left TYPES OF FISTS SEIKEN URAKEN KENTSUI/TETSUI IPPON-KEN NAKADAKA-KEN HIRAKEN (say-ken) forefist (yer-a-ken) backfist (kent-soo-ee/tet-soo-ee) hammerfist (ee-pohn-ken) one-knuckle fist (nah-ka-dah-ka-ken)middle finger knuckle fist (here-a-ken) four knuckle fist TYPES OF OPEN HANDS SHUTO HAITO HAISHU NUKITE TEISHO SEIRYUTO KUMADE WASHIDE KEITO KAKUTO (shoe-toe) (high-toe) (high-shoe) (new-kit-teh) (tay-sho) (say-ree-you-toe) (koo-ma-deh) (wash-ee-deh) (kay-toe) (ka-koo-toe) USE OF FEET AND LEGS KOSHI (ko-she) SOKUTO (sew-koo-toe) KAGUTO HAISOKU TSUMASAKI HIZAGASHIRA (ka-ga-toe) (high-sew-koo) (sue-ma-saw-kee) (he-za-gash-era) 11 sword hand ridge hand back hand spear hand heel of the palm ox jaw hand bear hand eagle hand chicken head wrist bent wrist ball of the foot sword foot, outer edge of the foot heel instep toe tips knee STANCES SHIZEN-TAI HEISOKU-DACHI MUSUBI-DACHI HACHINOJI-DACHI UCHI-HACHINOJI -DACHI HEIKO-DACHI HIZA-KUSSU TEIJI-DACHI RENOJI-DACHI ZENKUTSU-DACHI KOKUTSU-DACHI KIBA-DACHI SANCHIN-DACHI SHIKO-DACHI HANGETSU-DACHI FUDO-DACHI SOCHIN-DACHI) NEKO-ASHI-DACHI (she-zen-tie) (hay-so-koo-dah-chee) ready position informal attention stance, feet together (moo-soo-bee-dah-chee) informal attention stance, toes out (ha-chee-know-gee-dah-chee) open leg stance (oo-chee-ha-chee-know-gee-dah-chee) inverted a/a (hay-ko-dah-chee) parallel stance (hee-zah-koo-soo) feet diagonal (tay-gee-dah-chee) “T” stance (ren-o-gee-dah-chee) “L” stance (zen-koot-soo-dah-chee) front stance (ko-koot-soo-dah-chee) back stance (key-bah-dah-chee) horse stance (sahn-chin-dah-chee) hourglass stance (she-ko-dah-chee) square stance, sumo stance (hahn-get-soo-dah-chee) half moon stance (foo-doe-dah-chee) rooted stance (also (neh-koh-a-she-dah-chee) cat foot stance HAND AND ARM TECHNIQUES UKE GEDAN-BARAI JODAN AGE UKE SOTO-UKE UCHI-UKE SHUTO-UKE TATE-SHUTO-UKE KAKE-SHUTO-UKE HAISHU-UKE KAKUTO-UKE KEITO-UKE SEIRYUTO-UKE (ooh-kay) blocking (geh-dan-bar-eye) downward block (joe-dan-aah-geh-ooh-kay) upper block (soh-toe-ooh-kay) outside in forearm block (ooh-chee-ooh-kay) inside out forearm block (shoe-toe-ooh-kay) sword hand block (tah-teh-shoe-toe-ooh-kay) vertical sword hand block (kah-keh-shoe-toe-ooh-kay) hook sword hand block (high-shoe-ooh-kay) back hand block (kah-koo-toe-ooh-kay) bent wrist block (kay-toe-ooh-kay) chicken head wrist block (say-ree-you-toe-ooh-kay) heel of palm block 12 PUNCHING AND ATTACKING TSUKI GYAKU-ZUKI OI-ZUKI NAGASHI-ZUKI KIZAMI-ZUKI REN-ZUKI DAN-ZUKI MOROTE-ZUKI AGE-ZUKI URA-ZUKI KAGI-ZUKI MAWASHI-ZUKI AWASE-ZUKI YAMA-ZUKI HEIKO-ZUKI HASAMI-ZUKI CHOKU-ZUKI (soo-key) (gi-ya-ku-zoo-key) (oy-zoo-key) (nah-gah-she-zoo-key) (key-zah-me-zoo-key) (wren-zoo-key) (dan-zoo-key) (more-oh-teh-zoo-key) (a-geh-zoo-key) (yer-a-zoo-key) (kah-gi-zoo-key) (ma-wash-she-zoo-key) (a-wa-seh-zoo-key) (yah-mah-zoo-key) (hay-koh-zoo-key) (ha-sah-me-zoo-key) (cho-koo-zoo-key) punching reverse punch lunge punch flowing punch jab punch alternate punching consecutive punching two hand punch rising punch close punch hook punch roundhouse punch “U” punch wide “U” punch parallel punch scissors punch straight punch URAKEN-UCHI KENTSUI-UCHI TETSUI-UCHI HIJI-ATE-UCHI EMPI-UCHI MAE-HIJE-ATE YOKO-HIJE-ATE USHIRO- HIJE-ATE TATE-HIJE-ATE OTOSHI-HIJI-ATE (yer-a-ken-ooh-chee) (kent-soo-ee-ooh-chee) (tet-soo-ee ooh-chee) (he-gee-a-teh-ooh-chee) (em-pee-ooh-chee) (my-eh-he-gee-a-teh) (yo-ko-he-gee-a-teh) (oo-she-row-he-gee-ate) (ta-teh-he-gee-a-teh) (o-toe-she-he-gee-a-teh) SHUTO-UCHI (shoe-toe-ooh-chee) back fist strike hammer fist (down) hammer fist (side) elbow strike elbow strike forward elbow strike side elbow strike back elbow strike upward elbow strike downward elbow strike sword hand strike STRIKING 13 FOOT AND LEG TECHNIQUES GERI MAE-GERI YOKO-GERI MAWASHI-GERI USHIRO-GERI TOBI-GERI ASHI-BARAI (ger-ee) (my-eh-ger-ee) 1. KEAGE (kee-ag-eh) 2. KEKOMI (keh-ko-me) (yo-koh-ger-ee) 1. KEAGE 2. KEKOMI (ma-wash-ee-ger-ee) (ooh-she-row-ger-ee) (toe-bee-ger-ee) (a-she-ba-ra-eye) kicking front kick snap kick thrust kick side kick roundhouse kick back thrust kick jump kick foot sweep Power Sources and Linear Movements Defined Power source: 1. Vibration – single technique when standing still. still. 2. Rotation – Body torquing standing or moving using combinations. 3. Upward - Drive body weight up into target, either defensive or offensive. 4. Downward – Body drives down into target, either defensive or offensive. 5. Linear Movements– Using body weight to: a. drive forward b. backward c. sideways d. up e. down into target by generating speed. 14 Schedule of Kata a) NijuNiju-shichishichi-ho or 27 Movements (27 movements) b) TaikyokuTaikyoku-shodan (“First Cause”, 20 movements) c) TaikyokuTaikyoku-nidan (“Second Cause”, 20 movements) d) TaikyokuTaikyoku-sandan (“Third Cause”, 20 movements) 1. HeianHeian-shodan (“Peace & Tranquility #1”, 21 movements) 2. HeianHeian-nidan (“Peace & Tranquility #2”, 28 movements) 3. HeianHeian-sandan (“Peace & Tranquility #3”, 21 movements) 4. HeianHeian-yondan (“Peace & Tranquility #4”, 27 movements) 5. HeianHeian-godan (“Peace & Tranquility #5”, 23 movements) 6. BassaiBassai-dai ("To Penetrate a Fortress", long sword, 42 movements) 7. KankuKanku-dai ("To Look at the Sky", major version, also called Kushanku, 65 movements) 8. Jitte ("10 Hands or 10 Techniques”, 27 movements) 9. Jion (A Bhuddist temple, 47 movements) 10. Empi ("To Fly Like a Swallow", 39 movements) 11. TekkiTekki-shodan (“Iron Horse #1”, also called Naihanchi, 25 movements) 12. TekkiTekki-nidan (“Iron Horse #2”, also called Naihanchi, 24 movements) 13. TekkiTekki-sandan (“Iron Horse #3”, also called Naihanchi, 33 movements) 14. Gankaku ("Crane on a Rock", also called Chinto, 42 movements) 15. BassaiBassai-sho ("To Penetrate a Fortress", short sword, 27 movements) 16. KankuKanku-sho ("To Look at the Sky", minor version, 47 movements) 17. Sochin (“Preserve Peace”, also called Hakko, 40 movements) 18. Chinte ("Extraordinary Hand", also called Shoin , 33 movements) 19. Hangetsu (“Half Moon”, also called Seishan, 32 movements) 20. Nijushiho (“24 Steps”, also called Niseishi, 33 movements) 21. Ji'in (“Temple Grounds”, also called Shokyo, 35 movements) 22. Unsu ("Cloud Hands", 48 movements) 23. GojushihoGojushiho-dai ("54 Steps", also known as Useshi or Hotaku, 62 movements) 24. Wankan (“Crown of a King”, also known as Shiofu and Hito, 16 movements) 25. Meikyo (“Mirror of the Soul”, also known as Rohai, 34 movements) 26. GojushihoGojushiho-sho ("54 Steps", a transformation of Gojushiho-dai, 65 movements) • NOTE : These are just the names of the Kata and are not necessarily necessarily in the order they are to be learned. Refer to the B.C. Tsuruoka Karate Association's "Mandatory Kata for Grading" sheet. 15 Mandatory Kata Required For Testing KYU DAN Belt Colour 6th --------- White 5th --------- Yellow Minimum Time To Attain Each Level Mandatory Kata For Testing ------------------------------ None More than 6 months of training - 27 Movements - Taikyoku-Shodan - Heian-Shodan 4th --------- Orange More than 6 months - Heian-Nidan th after receiving 5 Kyu. 3rd --------- Green More than 6 months - Heian-Sandan th after receiving 4 Kyu. 2nd --------- Blue More than 6 months - Heian-Yondan after receiving 3rd Kyu. 1st --------- Brown More than 1 year after -Heian-Godan receiving 2nd Kyu. ------ 1st Black More than one year after receiving 1 Kyu st Any Kyu level Kata Plus – Bassai Dai ------2nd Black More than 2 years after receiving 1st Dan. Any previous Kata Plus any of the following : Kanku-Dai, Jitte, Jion, Empi, Gankaku, Tekki-Shodan, Tekki-Nidan, Bassai-Sho, Kanku-Sho ------3rd Black More than 3 years after receiving 2nd Dan. Any previous Kata Plus any of: Sochin, Chinte, Hangetsu, Nijushiho, Tekki-Sandan 16 ------ 4th Black More than 4 years after receiving 3rd Dan. Any previous Kata Plus any of: Ji'in, Meikyo, Gojushiho-Dai, Gojushiho-Sho, Unsu, Wankan NOTE : Minimum time to attain rank is based upon average ability and a minimum of two days a week formal training. The actual time between levels may be less or more depending on the individual's ability, commitment and attitude as well as time spent training on one's own time. Kata required is the minimum Kata to be performed for each level. Kata from previous levels may also have to be performed at each grading at the examiner's discretion. 17 YELLOW BELT MANDATE A clear understanding of the techniques on the Yellow belt test No speed No power Upper/Lower body separation separation is completely acceptable ORANGE BELT MANDATE Rotation and linear power sources as applied to the techniques on the orange belt test Speed is not necessary Power is required Upper/Lower body separation is acceptable GREEN BELT MANDATE Reduction of of Upper/Lower body separation in single techniques and combinations Speed is required Power is required BLUE BELT MANDATE Focus Knowledge of the five power sources and five types of linear movement Speed is required Power is required Proper timing and balance balance are required HIGH BLUE (BROWN) BELT MANDATE Complete focus should be evident in every technique All of the techniques and concepts are, at each level, to be applied to Kihon, Kata, and Kumite. Each test is cumulative. When testing, students are are responsible for all that they have learned as KarateKarate-ka not simply the requirements of a single test. 18
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