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Requirements for 9th kyu
Yellow Belt Japanese pronunciation is easy. Break words into short syllables ending with a vowel where possible. For example, Uke (block) is pronounced U-ke (oo-kay). These words are spelled correctly but have hyphens to separate syllables.
To achieve 9th kyu, a student must perform appropriate Ki-hon, Tai-Ki-O-Ku Sho-Dan, and San-Bon Ku-mi-te and know the following terminology.NUMBERS I-Chi (Sho) — 1 Ni — 2 San — 3 Shi (Yon) — 4 Go — 5 Ro-ku — 6 Shi-chi (Nana) — 7 Ha-chi — 8 Ku — 9 Ju — 10 Ju I-Chi — 11 Ju-Ni — 12 Ju-San — 13 Ni-Ju — 20 (2 tens) Go-Ju-Shi-Ho — (5 tens and 4 steps) "54 Directions", the name of an advanced kata KARATE BASICS Do-Jo — training hall, school Ka-Ra-Te — empty handed techniques Karate-Do — way of the empty hand Sho-To-kan — style of karate Gi-Chin Fu-Na-Ko-Shi — founder of shotokan Sho-man — front of the training hall, representing those who trained prior to us Sen-Sei — instructor Sem-Pai — senior student Ko-Hai — junior student EQUIPMENT Gi — uniform O-bi — belt Ma-ki-wa-ra — punching board AREAS OF THE BODY Jo-dan — head Chu-Dan — chest area Ge-Dan — lower area Hi-Ki-Te — draw hand, chamber Gya-ku — reverse WAZA - Techniques U-ke — block, literally to deflect Zu-Ki — punch, literally to penetrate U-Chi — strike Ge-Ri — kick COMPONENTS OF TRAINING Ki-hon — basics Ka-Ta — catalog of movements against imaginary opponents Ku-Mi-Te — sparring 
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Requirements for 8th kyu
Yellow Belt with Black Stripe
To achieve 8th kyu, a student must perform appropriate Kihon, Heian ShoDan, and Sanbon Kumite and know the meanings of the following terms.DOJO KUN Seek perfection of character. Be faithful. Endeavor. Respect others. Refrain from violent behavior. COMMANDS Hajime — begin Yame — stop Yasume — relax Naotte — rest Kamae — basic fighting position Yoi — ready position Kamata — begin Rei — bow Makuso — meditate (close your eyes) Shoman Ni Rei — bow to the front of the dojo Shinzen Ni Rei — bow to the shrine (in front of the dojo Seiza — kneel down Mokuso Yame — stop meditating (open your eyes) Sensei Ni Rei — bow to Sensei Otaga Ni Rei — bow to each other DIRECTIONS Ma-e — front U-shi-ro — back Na-na-me — diagonal Mi-gi — right Yo-ko — side Hi-dar-ri — left AREAS OF THE BODY Ha-ra — Spiritual center of the body (stomach area) Tanden — Physical center of the body (one inch below your navel) -
Requirements for 7th kyu
Orange Belt
To achieve 7th kyu, a student must perform appropriate Kihon, Heian NiDan, and Sanbon Kumite and be able to demonstrate the following techniques.STANCES Dachi — Stance Shizen Tai — natural position Hachiji Dachi — shoulder width stance Heisoko Dachi — feet together stance Misubi Dachi — bowing stance
(standing heels together, toes out at 45 degree angle, literally "to bring forth life")Zenkutsu Dachi — front stance Kokotsu Dachi — back stance Kiba Dachi — horse riding stance Kosa Dachi — crossed feet stance Neko Ashi Dachi — cat stance Hamni Dachi — 45 degree side stance PUNCHES Choku Zuki — straight punch Oi Zuki — stepping punch (same hand and foot forward) Gyaku Zuki — counter punch (opposite hand and foot) Kizami Zuki — jabbing punch Age zuki — rising punch Ura Zuki — close punch Kage Zuki — hook punch Morote Zuki — 2 fist punch BLOCKS Age Uke — rising block Ude Uke — forearm block (there are 2 types) Uchi Ude Uke — Inside to Outside forearm block Soto Ude Uke — Outside to Inside forearm block Shuto Uke — sword hand block Gedan Berai — downward sweeping block Juji Uke — "X" double block Morote Uke — 2 hand block Tate Shuto Uke — vertical sword hand block Haisho Uke — back Hand Block (like 2nd move in Tekki ShoDan) SHU HA RI — the cyclical nature of karate training SHU — tradition HA — breaking bonds of tradition RI — transcendence
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Requirements for 6th kyu
Green Belt
To achieve 6th kyu, a student must perform appropriate Kihon, Heian Sandan, and Sanbon Kumite and be able to know the following terminology.VOCABULARY Nihon (Nippon) — Japan Okinawa — set of islands south of Japan where karate first originated Karate — the way of the empty hand Kobudo — the practice of weapons Iaido — the art of sword drawing (for a cut with the katana, a sword) Kung Fu — typical generic term for Chinese style martial arts Tai Kwon Do — a Korean martial art with emphasis on kicks Tan Soo Do — the way of the Chinese Hand, a Korean martial art resembling shotokan Kyu — student level or ranking Dan — master level grade or degree Kaicho — head of an organization Soke — founder Shihan — master/teacher of at least Roku (6th) Dan Karate-ka — one who practices karate Sei — tranquility Satori — enlightenment Ki — energy flow, inner force Tokui waza — your favorite technique Budo — the martial way (literally, "to stop conflict") Bushido — military "way of the warrior" Ryu — style of martial arts training (shotokan is a ryu of karate) FOUR MAJOR JAPANESE STYLES OF KARATE Goju-ryu Shito-ryu Shotokan Wado-ryu FIVE MAJOR OKINAWAN STYLES OF KARATE Goju-ryu Shito-ryu Ishhin-ryu RyuEi-ryu Shorin-ryu
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Requirements for 5th kyu
Blue Belt To achieve 5th kyu, a student must perform appropriate Ki-hon, Heian Yondan, and SanBon & Ippon Kumite and be able to demonstrate the following techniques and concepts.TYPES OF KUMITE DRILLS Kumite — (in general) sparring Gohon Kumite — 5-step sparring Sanbon Kumite — 3-step sparring Ippon Kumite — 1-step sparring Jiyu Ippon Kumite — semi-free sparring Jiyu Kumite — free sparring Mawae — distance (from opponent) Kamae — guard, fighting stance Tai Sabaki — shifting position, creating a counter attack Kime — "focus", complete simultaneous body tension to create quick and powerful release of energy. It's when the BODY, MIND, and WEAPON come together simultaneously. DIRECTIONS Mae — front Ushiro — back Yoko — side Migi Yoko — right side Hidari Yoko — left side Migi Naname Mae — Diagonally right front Migi Naname Ushiro — Diagonally right back Hidari Naname Mae — diagonally left front Hidari Naname Ushiro — diagonally left back SPARRING STRATEGIES 1) Tai no Sen — Eliminate the problem before it occurs (CONFLICT AVOIDANCE) 2) Sen — Seizing the initiative (ATTACKING) 3) Sen No sen — Countering opponent's initiative before it physically occurs (READING THE OPPONENT'S MIND) 4) Go No sen — Waiting for the opponent's initiative, then responding (BLOCKING, COUNTER ATTACK
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Requirements for 4th kyu
Purple Belt To achieve 4th kyu, a student must perform appropriate Ki-hon, Heian Godan, and SanBon & Ippon Kumite and be able to demonstrate the following techniques and concepts.STRIKES Uchi — strike Empi Uchi — elbow strike Shuto Uchi — sword hand strike Uraken Uchi — backfist strike KICKS Geri — kick Mae Geri — front kick Yoko Geri — side kick Ke-A-Ge — to snap Kekomi — To thrust Ushiro Geri — back kick Mawashi Geri — round house kick Fumikomi — stomping kick Fumikiri — cutting kick Mae Geri Kekomi — front thrust kick Mae Geri Keage — front snap kick Ushiro Geri Kekomi — back thrust kick Ushiro Geri Keage — back snap kick Mika Zuki Geri — crescent kick
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Requirements for 3rd kyu
Brown Belt To achieve 3rd kyu, a student must perform appropriate Ki-hon, Tekki ShoDan, and Ippon Kumite and be able to demonstrate the following techniques and concepts.FIST & HAND Ken — fist Sho — hand Seiken — front fist Uraken — back fist Nukite — spear hand Ippon Nukite — one finger spear hand Gohan Nukite — five finger spear hand (like in Heian Nidan) Tiesho — palm hand Kentsui — hammer fist Shuto — sword hand Ryo Ken — 2 fists FOREARM Ude — forearm Gaiwan — outside forearm Haiwan — back forearm Naiwan — inside forearm Empi — elbow FOOT & LEG Hishohu — instep Kakato — bottom of heel Ushiro Kakato — back of heel Sokuto — side of foot Koshi — ball of foot Shitsui — knee Tsisoku — sole of foot Mae Ashi — front leg Ashi barai — sweep Do Kyaku — moving leg Jiyu Ashi — pivot leg
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Requirements for 2nd kyu
Brown Belt To achieve 2nd kyu, a student must perform appropriate Ki-hon, Bassai Dai, and Jiyu Ippon Kumite and know the names and meanings of the 28 shotokan kata.KATA CHART Required Kata — Group A
10th kyu to 4th kyu1. Taikyoku Shodan — Basic Kara 1 2. Heian Shodan — Peaceful Mind Kata 1 3. Heian Nidan — Peaceful Mind Kata 2 4. Heian Sandan — Peaceful Mind Kata 3 5. Heian Yondan — Peaceful Mind Kata 4 6. Heian Godan — Peaceful Mind Kata 5 7. Tekki Shodan — Iron Horse 1 Required Kata — Group B
3rd kyu to 1st Kyu8. Bassai Dai — Penetrate a Fortress 9. Kanku Dai — Viewing the Sky 10. Empi — Flying Swallow 11. Hangetsu — Crescent Moon 12. Tekki Nidan — Iron Horse 2 Required Kata — Group C
Shodan Level13. Jion — Temple Sound 14. Jutte — Ten Hands 15. Gankaku — Crane on a Rock 16. Tekki Sandan — Iron Horse 3 Optional Kata — Group D
Nidan and above17. Bassai Sho — The Lesser Bassai 18. Kanku Sho — The Lesser Kanku 19. Gojushiho Dai — The Greater 54 Directions 20. Gojushiho Sho — The Lesser 54 Directions 21. Nijushiho — 24 Directions 22. Sochin — Grand Prize 23. Unsu — Clouds Hands 24. Chinte — Unusual (Rare) Hands 25. Jiin — Temple Grounds 26. Wankan — King's Crown 27. Meikyo — Polished Mirror 28. Hyakuhaichi Ho — 108 Directions
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Requirements for 1st kyu
Brown Belt To achieve 1st kyu, a student must perform appropriate Kihon, one of the Brown Belt level katas (see below), and Jiyu Ippon Kumite and know the names and meanings of the 12 advanced shotokan kata.
(Brown belts will be practicing all four kata listed above but should select one to specialize in for performance in brown and black belt tests. Selection is usually done with Sensei's guidance with consideration of your body type, your skills, and your training needs.)BROWN BELT LEVEL KATAS Bassai Dai — Penetrate the Fortress (large) Kanku Dai — To view the sky (large) Jion — Temple Sound Empi — Flying Swallow Tekki Nidan — Iron Horse (two)
There are a total of 27 kata in the shotokan curriculum. The basic 15 are listed on the sheet for 2nd kyu.TRANSLATION OF ADVANCED KATA NAMES 1. Bassai Sho — penetrate the fortress (small) 2. Kanku Sho — to view the sky (small) 3. Nijushiho — 24 directions 4. Jiin — temple 5. Chinte — extraordinary hand 6. Sochin — grand prize 7. Gojushiho Dai — 54 direction (big) 8. Gojushiho Sho — 54 directions (small) 9. Meikyo — polished mirror 10. Wankan — king's crown 11. Unsu — cloud hands 12. Hyakuhachi Ho — 108 directions
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A Sep 1, 2009 letter to all currently enrolled Best Karate students with curriculum and billing changes.