Promotions

Rank requirements and standards

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 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 Kobudo syllabus.

Any member of OIKA Ryukyu Kobudo that does no 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 Ryukyu Kobudo.

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

Ku (9th) kyu - white belt - Time in grade 3 months, 24 lessons

Welcome, this is probably the hardest grade!  It takes courage and commitment to walk into a Dojo

Hachi (8th) kyu  - yellow belt - Time in grade 3 months, 24 lessons

• • Dojo Rules

  • Bo Basics

  • Kata

    • Tsi-Yoi Bo (Power Bo)

    • Mi-Yoshi Bo

  • Partner Work

    • Bo Partner Basics (11 techniques)

    • Bo-Bo Kumite (first 5 movements)

(Bunkai used on Bo katas are only for training and not for grading)

Shichi (7th) kyu - blue belt - Time in grade 3 months, 24 lessons

• • Improve all Bo basics

  • Improve all previous requirements

  • Kata

    • Tokumine-No-Kun Bo kata and bunkai (Bunkai Snr. Only)

  • Partner Work

    • Bo-Bo Kumite (last 5 movements)

Roku (6th) kyu - green belt - Time in grade 3 months, 24 lessons

• • Improve all previous kata and bunkai

  • Basics associated to Urashi Bo kata

  • Kata

    • Urashi Bo kata and bunkai

  • Partner Work

    • Bo-Bo kumite with movement and power

    • Imprive Bo-Bo partner basics

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

• • Improve on all previous bo basics and katas

  • All sai basics

  • Kata

    • Kyan-No-Sai

  • Partner Work

    • Bo-Sai partner basics

    • Bo-Sai Kumite (first 5 movements)

(Bunkai is for instruction purposes only and not testing)

Yon (4th) kyu - green belt 2 stripes - Time in grade 3 months, 24 lessons

• • Improve all previous kata and bunkai

  • Kata

    • Tsuken Shitahaku No Sai (Nippon-Sai)

  • Partner Basics

    • Bo-Sai kumite (last 5 movements)

    • Improve Bo-Sai Partner Basics

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

• • Improve all previous kata and bunkai

  • Improve all partner basics

  • Start teaching students to 7th kyu

  • Kata

    • Nicho-Sai with Bunkai

  • Partner Work

    • Bo-Sai Kumite with movement and power

Ni (2nd) kyu - brown belt 1 stripe - Time in grade 3 months, 24 lessons

• • Improve all previous basics, kata and bunkai

  • Help teach classes to 5th kyu

  • Kata

    • Kusanku-No-Sai kata with bunkai

Ik (1st) kyu - brown belt 2 stripes - 3 months, 24 lessons

• • Improve all previous kata and bunkai

  • Help teach classes to 4th kyu

  • Kama basics

    • Kama Hojo Undo (4 step moving)

  • Kata

    • Kanegawa-No-Nicho Gama Kama

  • Partner Work

    • Bo-Kama partner basics

(Bunkai is for instruction purposes only and not testing)

Yudansha 

Sho (1st) Dan - Black Belt, 1 Red 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 yellow stripe covering red stripe.

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

• • Must show improvement in all previous basics, kata and bunkai

  • Written 200 word essay on kobudo and masters.

  • Teach Kobudo classes to 2nd kyu. (About 10 classes)

  • Must have First Aid Certificate (Snr Only)

  • Kata

    • Kobo Nicho Gama with bunkai (Bunkai for snr. grades only)

    • Chatanyara-No-Sai with bunkai (Bunkai for snr. grades only)

Ni (2nd) Dan - Black Belt, 2 Red 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 yellow stripe.

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

• • Minimum 50 hours teaching to Sho-Dan level

  • Must do MAIA coaching course (NSW Only)

  • Must apply for Restricted Weapon Permit if operating a branch (NSW only)

  • All Tonfa basics

  • Kata

    • Tsi-Fa Tonfa

    • Toma Tonfa

    • Hama-Higa  no Tonfa

  • Partner Work

    • Bo-Tonfa Partner Basics

    • Bo-Tonfa Kumite

San (3rd) Dan - Black Belt, 3 Red Stripes - Time in grade 3 years

Title : Sensei  (Teacher)

• • Minimum 50 hours teaching to Ni-Dan level

  • Teaching partner training of: Bo, Sai, Kama, Tonfa

  • Kobudo instructor certificate course (Optonal, Branch Dojo heads must do this Certificate course)

  • Nunchaku Basics

  • Kata

    • Nunchaku Kihon

    • Shishi-No-Kun-No-Dai Bo with bunkai

    • Chiken Nu Eku (Kai) kata

    • Tokushin-No-Eku (Kai) kata with bunkai

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

Title : Renshi (Instructor/Shihan-Dai)

• • Minimum 50 hours teaching to San-Dan level

  • Kata

    • Nunchaku Fyukyu kata

    • Nunchaku Jitsu kata

    • Ishikawa no Kama kata

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

Title : Renshi (Instructor/Shihan)

• Minimum 50 hours teaching to San-Dan level

• Kata

  • Ifune No Eku kata

  • Fukyu No Tekko Kata

  • One kobudo kata of chaice that is not in the syllabus (For demo only)

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

Title : Renshi (Master/Shihan)

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

Title : Kyoshi (Master/Shihan)

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

Title : Kyoshi (Master/Shihan)