Dan Ranking

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 and Dan Grading Prerequisites

Rank	Min. Experience	Age	Testing Location
10th to 1st Kyu	N/A	N/A	Branch dojo or group
1st Dan	1 yr , Cannot apply same day as attaining 1st Dan	N/A	Prefectural HQ or Branch dojo or group, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
2nd Dan	1 yr at 1st Dan rank	N/A	National (Prefectural) HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
3rd Dan	2 yrs at 2nd Dan rank	18 and over	National (Prefectural) HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
4th Dan	3 yrs at 3rd Dan rank	18 and over	Tokyo JKA HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
5th Dan	4 yrs at 4th Dan rank	18 and over	Tokyo JKA HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
6th Dan	6 yrs at 5th Dan rank	18 and over	Tokyo JKA HQ
7th Dan	7 yrs at 6th Dan rank	50 and over	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	60 and over	Upon recommendation by Instructor Committee
9th Dan	8 yrs at 8th Dan rank	60 and over	Upon recommendation by Instructor Committee
10th Dan	9 yrs at 9th Dan rank	60 and over	Upon recommendation by Instructor Committee

【KIHON】In place basics in SHIZEN TAI

1. CHUUDAN CHOKUZUKI

3. CHUUDAN SOTOUKE

2. JOUDAN AGEUKE

4. GEDAN BARAI

5. MAEGERI (HEISOKU DACHI, GEDAN KAKIWAKE)

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

【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)

【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)

【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)

【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)

【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)

【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)

【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)

【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)

【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

【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

【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

【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

【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

【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

【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

【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

Recommendation by Shihankai

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

To progress to the next Kyu or Dan, JKA students must demonstrate exceptional skill and near flawless execution of a prescribed set of techniques and kata. Our specially-trained instructors and examiners carefully study and evaluate each student based on the criteria shown by clicking on any rank on the chart above.