Rank requirements and standards

Tsuzukete Martial Arts follows the promotion syllabus of OIKA, under the guidance of Kyoshi Robert Slywa.

All promotions are primarily based on 3 things:

1. knowledge

2. techniques

3. mental attitude

These can only be obtained through continuous learning, hard training and never ending improvement.  Applying these attributes leads to becoming a 'triple A Student'.  That is a student who exhibits the right Attitude, Attendance and Ability, importantly in that order.

It is important to remember that Karate-do is an individual pursuit. It is about improving oneself and you becoming a better person, mentally, physically and spirituality (not as in religious but as in being a kind, caring and compassionate person).  It is a personal journey, where primarily you compete against yourself.

Thus grades are not comparative, meaning it is incorrect to compare yourself against others, or worse others against yourself.  Everyone is different, what might be very hard for you might come easily to someone else.

As can be seen below, each grade has certain requirements that need to be met.  There are also certain standards that have to be upheld.

Ancient quote: The path up a mountain is steep.  If it is not steep, it is not a mountain. This can be interpreted to mean, any goal worth achieving, is worth working very hard to obtain.

Kyu and Dan grade times are with reasonable attendance and are to be used as a guide only.  They are the minimum requirement before consideration for promotion.  As important as the time is, is your continual improvement of mental attitude.

All written and oral test questions will come from the Isshin-Ryu syllabus.

Any member of OIKA Isshin-Ryu Karate that does not attend training at any OIKA Dojo within one (1) year (excepting on those occasions beyond a member's control), shall re-apply for membership (without loss of Rank or Title) to continue training in OIKA Isshin-Ryu Karate.

Over two (2) years of non-training and the member will re-test for their current grade prior to testing for their next grade.

Mudansha

Ju (10th) kyu - white belt - Time in grade 2 months, 16 lessons

Welcome, this is probably the hardest grade! 

It takes courage and commitment to walk into a Dojo

Kyu (9th) kyu  - yellow belt - Time in grade 2 months, 16 lessons

• Isshin-Ryu code

• Dojo rules etiquette

• 15 Upper body Fundamentals

• 15 Lower body Fundamentals

• Koteki-te (conditioning of arms, wrists, thighs & breathing)

• Basic stances, formal bows

• Terminology: all Fundamentals

• Kata

  • N/A

• Bunkai

  • N/A

• Sport techniques

  • N/A

• Kumite

  • One step & three step jiyu kumite - non-preferred

Hachi (8th) kyu  - orange belt - Time in grade 2 months, 16 lessons

• Improve all previous requirements

• Basic written test: Isshin Ryu history & Tatsuo Shimabuku

• Terminology: count to 10, ippon-sandan-jiyu Kumite

• Kata

  • Seisan & Bunkai

• Sport techniques - First 8 techniques

• Kumite - Basic Training

Shichi (7th) kyu - blue belt - Time in grade 2 months, 16 lessons

• Improve all previous requirements

• Terminology : Hi, Dojo, Rei, name of patch & style

• Stances

  • seisan-dachi

  • shiko-dachi (seiunchin)

  • naihanchi-dachi

  • yoi

  • zenkutsu-dachi

  • kokutsu-dachi

  • neko-ashi-dachi

• Kata

  • Seiunchin & Bunkai

• Sport techniques - First 12 techniques

• Kumite - Improve all

Roku (6th) kyu - green belt - Time in grade 3 months, 20 lessons 

• Improve all previous requirements

• Kata

  • Naihanchi & Bunkai

• Sport techniques - First 16 techniques

• Kumite 

  • Yakusoku kumite

  • One step & three step jiyu kumite - preferred

  • Start applying sports techniques

Go (5th) kyu - green belt 1 stripe - Time in grade 3 months, 20 lessons 

• Improve all previous requirements

• Kata

  • Wansu & Bunkai

• Sport techniques - First 22 Sports Techniques

• Kumite : 3 x 1 minute rounds

    Weapons

• Sai Fundamentals

• Kata

  • Kyan-No-Sai

Yon (4th) kyu - green belt 2 stripes - Time in grade 4 months, 24 lessons 

• Improve all previous requirements

• written test paper

• kata

  • N/A

• Sport techniques - All 27

• Kumite

  • 2 x 2 minute rounds,

  • Yakusoku Kumite with speed

  • 1 & 3 step with speed and power

    Weapons

• Bo Fundamentals

• Kata

  • Tokumine-no-kun & Bunkai

San (3rd) kyu - brown belt - Time in grade 4 months, 24 lessons

• Honour belt can be awarded at this level

• Improve all previous requirements

• Describe megami patch in detail

• Stances

  • kiba-dachi

• Makiwara training

• Kata

  • Chinto & Bunkai

  • Start Sanchin training

• Kumite

  • 4 x 1 minute rounds

• Self Defence - Part 1 Only

Ni (2nd) kyu - brown belt 1 stripe - Time in grade 4 months, 24 lessons

• Honour belt can be awarded at this level

• Improve all previous requirements

• Assist in instruction of Classes

• Kata

  • Kusanku & Bunkai

  • Sanchin Training

• Kumite

  • kaki-te (one handed Kumite) - 2 x 1 minute rounds

  • 4 x 1 minute rounds

• Self Defence - Part 2

Ichi (1st) kyu - brown belt 2 stripes - Time in grade 6 months

• Honour belt can be awarded at this level

• Improve all previous requirements

• Apply for accreditation course

• Apply for prohibited weapon permit

• Instruct class and assist in instruction of Classes

• Terminology - open and close class in Japanese

• Kata

  • Sunsu & Bunkai

  • Sanchin with balance and breathing

• Kumite

  • 3 x 2 minute rounds

  • 2 x 1 minute rounds of kaki-te

• Self Defence - Part 3

Yudansha 

Sho (1st) Dan - black belt 1 Gold Stripe - Time in grade 2 years

Title : Sensei (Teacher)

Seniors must be 16 years of age or over.

Juniors must be 13 - 16 years of age. Junior belt, 1 red stripe covering gold stripe.

Juniors will re-test for Senior rank. Time in grade starts from Senior promotion

• Improve all previous requirements

• Hood ability and knowledge of Isshin Ryu syllabus

• Instruct class to next grade level

• Written test paper and essay

• First aid certificate

• Terminology - working knowledge of all

• Kata 

  • Sanchin with power (have boards broken on body to show balance)

• Six foot 2x2 broken on arm (koteki-te test optional) or break boards

• Kumite 

  • 2 minute rounds with all Dojo

  • 3 x 2 minute rounds of kaki-te

    Weapons

• kata

  • Kusanku-no-sai & Bunkai

• Partner Work

  • Bo-Bo Kumite with power and movement

Ni (2nd) Dan - black belt 2 Gold Stripes - Time in grade 2 years

Title : Sensei (Teacher)

Seniors must be 18 years of age or over.

Juniors must be 15 - 16 years of age. Highest Junior grade. Junior belt, 1 red stripe and 1 gold stripe.

Juniors will re-test for Senior rank. Time in grade starts from Senior promotion

• Improve all previous requirements

• Instruct class and improve on syllabus

• Kumite

  • 3 continuous x 2 minute rounds koshiki or contract

• MAIA Coach course (NSW Snr Only)

    Weapons

• Kata 

• Urashi-bo & Bunkai

• Partner Work

  • Bo-Sai Kumite with power and movement

San (3rd) Dan - black belt 3 Gold Stripes - Time in grade 3 years

Title : Sensei  (Teacher)

• Improve all previous requirements

• May test for OIKA instructor certificate

• Improve knowledge of Isshin Ryu

    Weapons

• kata

  • Chatanyarano Sai & Bunkai

  • Shishi-No-Kun No Dai & Bunkai

Yon (4th) Dan - Black or White & Red belt - Time in grade 4 years

Title : Renshi (Instructor/Shihan-Dai)

• Essay on Isshin Ryu history and Okinawan karate

    Weapons

• Nunchaku basics

• Kata

  • Hama Higa No Tonfa & Bunkai

  • Nunchaku Kihon

Go (5th) Dan - Black or Red & White belt - Time in grade 5 years

Title : Renshi (Instructor/Shihan)

Roku (6th) Dan - Black or Red & White Panel belt - Time in grade 6 years

Title : Renshi (Master/Shihan)

Nana (7th) Dan - Black or Red & White Panel belt - Time in grade 7 years

Title : Kyoshi (Master/Shihan)

Hachi (8th) Dan - Black or Red & White Panel belt

Title : Kyoshi (Master/Shihan)