Rank

Rank & Requirements

Requirements for promotion

1. You must have the minimum time and physical requirements.  The minimum time requirement is four (4) months of steady attendance to all classes.
2. You will be contacted by the Sensei.
3. You will need to be prepared for an oral test.
4. Must be wearing a clean, pressed, gi with the Isshin Ryu crest, the Megami on it.
5. Have all appropriate protective equipment, such as a mouth guard, groin cup, etc.
6. Must be a club member in good standing and have paid the grading fee.

Dragon Dojo Isshin Ryu Karate Ranking System

  •   Ju kyu (10) – White belt: no requirements
  •    Ku kyu (9) – White belt & 2 yellow stripes: Working knowledge of all basics (Kihon)
  •     Hachi kyu (8) – Yellow belt: Seisan
  •     Shichi kyu (7) – Orange belt: Seiunchin
  •     Roku kyu (6) – Green belt: Naihanchi
  •     Go kyu (5) – Green belt & 2 blue stripes: Wansu
  •     Yon kyu (4) – Blue belt: Sanchin, start Tokomeni no Kun
  •     San Kyu (3) – Brown belt: Chinto, Tokomeni no Kun
  •     Ni kyu (2) – Brown belt & 2 black stripes: Ku San Ku, start Hama Higa No Tuifa or Chotoku Kyan Sai
  •     Ik kyu (1) – Brown belt & 3 black stripes: Sun Nu Su, Hama Higa No Tuifa or Chotoku Kyan Sai
  •     Sho Dan – Black belt: Proficient in all empty hand kata and bunkai, Tokomeni no Kun and Hama Higa No Tuifa or Chotoku Kyan Sai. Oral test. Demonstrated    understanding of Isshin Ryu. Age requirement: 16 years old.

*All kyu ranks, regardless of the colour belt worn, are considered white relative to the black belt.

Kohai/Senpai
(Junior and Senior Grade Courtesy)

Senpai (先輩?) and kōhai (後輩?) is a traditional Japanese social construct that Isshin Ryu karate subscribes to.  Senpai is roughly equivalent to the western concept of mentor, while kōhai is roughly equivalent to protégé, but more simply, these may be translated as senior and junior. The senpai is the highest ranked student in the club who is not yet a black belt. They are expected to assist the sensei with younger or less experienced students. A kōhai is expected to respect and obey their senpai, and the senpai in turn must guide, protect, and teach their kōhai as best they can.