Belts

• 9th Kyu – White Belt – Some ISKF schools also have a 10th Kyu white belt level

  • Kata (to learn for next belt) – Heian Shodan

• 8th Kyu – Yellow Belt

  • Kata (to learn for next belt) – Heian Nidan

• 7th Kyu – Orange Belt

  • Kata (to learn for next belt) – Heian Sandan

• 6th Kyu – Green Belt

  • Kata (to learn for next belt) – Heian Yondan

• 5th Kyu – Purple Belt

  • Kata (to learn for next belt) – Heian Godan

• 4th Kyu  – Purple Belt

  • Kata (to learn for next belt) – Tekki Shodan

• 3rd Kyu – Brown Belt

  • Kata (to learn for next belt) – Bassai Dai

• 2nd Kyu – Brown Belt

  • Kata – Student must select Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai or Enpi (Empi).

  • However, be aware that some schools use only Bassai Dai for this level.

• 1st Kyu – Brown Belt

  • Black Belt Kata Test Requirements

  • 1st Kata – Student selection of Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai or Enpi (Empi).

  • 2nd Kata – Examiner’s selection of kata from Heian Nidan through Tekki Shodan. Therefore, students must know them all. See Black Belt Wiki’s main Shotokan kata section for instructions & videos on these kata.

• 1st Dan Black Belt – Shodan

• 2nd Dan Black Belt – Nidan

• 3rd Dan Black Belt – Sandan

• 4th Dan Black Belt – Yondan

• 5th Dan Black Belt – Godan

• 6th Dan Black Belt – Rokudan

• 7th Dan Black Belt – Shichidan

• 8th Dan Black Belt – Hachidan

• 9th Dan Black Belt – Kudan

• 10th Dan Black Belt – Judan