Dan examinations

Purpose

These are the standard Dan examinations for candidates without physical restrictions. They examine kihon, kata, and kumite in full and add the sections this body considers essential: performed bunkai from Nidan, self-defense at every grade, a teaching requirement from Sandan, and a contribution to the art at Yondan. The companion Joint-Friendly examinations follow the same structure for candidates with multiple joint replacements, so a candidate can move between the two syllabi without the sections or the standard changing; only the techniques do.

Eligibility: one year at 1st Kyu for Shodan; one year at Shodan for Nidan; two years at Nidan and age 18 or over for Sandan; three years at Sandan for Yondan.

Examination board, order, scoring, and record (all grades)

The board has two voting examiners and an optional third seat, none of whom is or has been the candidate's student. Each examiner scores every section independently; scores are averaged. Pass requires a total of 70 or more and the floor (60 percent of the maximum) met in every section. A section below its floor fails the grading regardless of the total; the board may offer a retest of that section alone within six months. Examiners score within each section on a four-band scale: 90 to 100 percent is a model performance; 70 to 89 is solid standard with minor faults; 50 to 69 shows the material with faults the grade should not have; below 50 is not at standard.

At every grade the physical sections run in the order Kata, Kihon, Self-defense, Kumite. Kata comes first so it is performed fresh, where precision can be judged cleanly. Kumite comes last deliberately: the candidate should be tired by then, and the board is looking for someone who can still focus mentally as well as physically under fatigue. A candidate over 60 may ask for a rest of two to three minutes between any two sections. The whole examination is recorded on continuous, unedited video. The grading file holds the signed syllabus, the video, the scoring sheets with written justifications, and the certificate.

Shodan (1st Dan)

Components

Section (in order on the day)	Content	Weight	Floor
1. Kata	One of Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Jion (candidate's choice)	30	18
2. Kihon	Nine combinations, three repetitions each	30	18
3. Self-defense	One combination at realistic speed	15	9
4. Jiyu ippon kumite	Five attacks, both sides, candidate defending	25	15

Section 1: Kata (30 points)

One kata from the Shodan list, the candidate's choice, declared at least 14 days before the grading: Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, or Jion. Performed once at full speed and kime. Scoring criteria, weighted equally: correct sequence, embusen, and rhythm; kime and the contrast between tension and relaxation; hip and body connection; zanshin, breathing, and kiai placement.

Section 2: Kihon (30 points)

From gedan barai in front stance. Each combination is performed three times in the direction stated.

1. Triple punch (sanbon renzuki) — stepping in.

2. Rising block, reverse punch (age-uke, gyaku-zuki) — stepping back.

3. Outside block, side elbow strike, side back-fist, reverse punch (soto-uke, yoko-empi, yoko-uraken, gyaku-zuki) — stepping in, front stance to straddle stance to front stance.

4. Inside block in back stance, jab, reverse punch in front stance (uchi-uke, kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki) — stepping back.

5. Knife-hand block in back stance, spear-hand in front stance (shuto-uke, nukite) — stepping in.

6. Front kick on the spot, front kick stepping in (mae-geri, mae-geri).

7. Roundhouse kick (mawashi-geri) — stepping in.

8. Side snap kick in straddle stance, right and left (yoko-geri keage, kiba-dachi) — stepping in.

9. Side thrust kick in front stance (yoko-kekomi, zenkutsu-dachi) — stepping in.

Examiners look for: correct form on every block, strike, and kick; hip connection; kime with relaxation between techniques; correct hikite and chamber; head level; and clean transitions between stances. Hesitation or self-correction costs points.

Section 3: Self-defense (15 points)

One self-defense combination, declared at least 14 days before the grading, against a committed grab or strike of the candidate's choosing. Performed once slowly with explanation, then twice at realistic speed with the attacker committing fully. The attacker is a yudansha of similar size; the board may substitute its own uke for any repetition. Scoring: realism (the attack would hurt if it landed; the defense does not depend on the attacker stopping short); economy; finishing position; adaptation when the board changes the attack; and connection to a kata principle the candidate can name. Full-force strikes are pulled or delivered to pads; joint controls are applied to the partner's tap.

Section 4: Jiyu ippon kumite (25 points)

Jiyu ippon kumite. Five attacks, each announced, delivered from free stance with full commitment, and performed on both sides, so the candidate defends ten exchanges:

1. Jodan oi-zuki

2. Chudan oi-zuki

3. Chudan mae-geri

4. Chudan yoko-kekomi

5. Mawashi-geri (attacker declares jodan or chudan)

Examiners look for kime, fluidity of movement, and connection between the block or evasion and the counter, together with distance, stance, and timing, and above all that the candidate understands how to get off the power line of the attack rather than meeting it head-on. The candidate may respond with any technique and any timing.

Nidan (2nd Dan)

Components

Section (in order on the day)	Content	Weight	Floor
1. Kata and bunkai	Favorite kata plus two bunkai applications	30	18
2. Kihon	Ten combinations, three repetitions each	25	15
3. Self-defense	Two combinations at realistic speed	20	12
4. Kumite	Jiyu ippon, five attacks, both roles; then one round of jiyu kumite	25	15

Section 1: Kata and bunkai (30 points)

The candidate's favorite kata, declared at least 14 days before the grading (20 points), performed once at full speed and kime. Two bunkai applications from the kata are then demonstrated and explained against a partner (10 points). Scoring criteria for kata as at Shodan. Scoring criteria for bunkai: fidelity to the actual movement of the kata; function against a partner who attacks with intent; the quality of the explanation.

Section 2: Kihon (25 points)

From gedan barai in front stance. Three repetitions each.

1. Lunge punch, middle level (chudan oi-zuki) — stepping in.

2. Lunge punch to the face, reverse punch to the body (jodan oi-zuki, chudan gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

3. Triple punch (sanbon renzuki) — stepping in.

4. Rising block, outside block with the same arm, reverse punch (age-uke, soto-uke, gyaku-zuki) — stepping back.

5. Inside block in back stance, jab, reverse punch in front stance (uchi-uke, kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

6. Knife-hand block in back stance, spear-hand in front stance (shuto-uke, nukite) — stepping back.

7. Front kick on the spot, front kick stepping in (mae-geri, mae-geri).

8. Side snap kick, side thrust kick in straddle stance, alternating feet (yoko-geri keage, yoko-kekomi, kiba-dachi).

9. Side thrust kick in front stance (yoko-kekomi, zenkutsu-dachi) — stepping in.

10. Roundhouse kick, side back-fist, reverse punch to the body (mawashi-geri, yoko-uraken, chudan gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

Examiners look for what they look for at Shodan, with more demanded of hip speed, the transition from kick to hand technique, and composure across a longer list.

Section 3: Self-defense (20 points)

Two self-defense combinations, declared at least 14 days before the grading, against two different categories of attack (a grab and a strike). Performed once slowly with explanation, then twice at realistic speed with the attacker committing fully. The attacker is a yudansha of similar size; the board may substitute its own uke for any repetition. Scoring: realism (the attack would hurt if it landed; the defense does not depend on the attacker stopping short); economy; finishing position; adaptation when the board changes the attack; and connection to a kata principle the candidate can name. Full-force strikes are pulled or delivered to pads; joint controls are applied to the partner's tap.

Section 4: Kumite (25 points)

Two parts. First, jiyu ippon kumite with five attacks, the candidate attacking and defending, both sides and both roles (20 exchanges; 15 points):

1. Jodan oi-zuki

2. Chudan oi-zuki

3. Chudan mae-geri

4. Chudan yoko-kekomi

5. Mawashi-geri (attacker declares jodan or chudan)

As attacker the candidate is scored on techniques that are crisp and committed but controlled, so that if the partner misses the block the attack does not injure them; an attack pulled short of real distance and an attack that would land hard on a missed block are both faults. Examiners look for kime, fluidity of movement, and connection between the block or evasion and the counter, together with distance, stance, and timing, and above all that the candidate understands how to get off the power line of the attack rather than meeting it head-on. The candidate may respond with any technique and any timing.

Second, one round of jiyu kumite of two minutes against a partner of the board's choosing (10 points). Examiners look for initiative, distance, control, and composure under pressure; contact is controlled to the body and non-contact to the head.

Sandan (3rd Dan)

Components

Section (in order on the day)	Content	Weight	Floor
1. Kata and bunkai	Favorite kata plus three bunkai applications	30	18
2. Kihon	Seven combinations from free kamae, three repetitions each	20	12
3. Self-defense	Two combinations at realistic speed	15	9
4. Kumite	Jiyu ippon, five attacks, both roles; then one round of jiyu kumite	25	15
5. Teaching	Five-year rule; demonstration only if under five years	10	6

Section 1: Kata and bunkai (30 points)

The candidate's favorite kata, declared at least 14 days before the grading (20 points), performed once at full speed and kime. The candidate then demonstrates and explains three bunkai applications from the kata against a partner (10 points). Scoring criteria for kata as at Shodan. Scoring criteria for bunkai: fidelity; function against a partner who attacks with intent; the quality of the explanation; the ability to answer a “what if” from the board without stalling.

Section 2: Kihon (20 points)

From free kamae (jiyu kamae). Three repetitions each.

1. Jab, lunge punch to the face, reverse punch to the body (kizami-zuki, jodan oi-zuki, chudan gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

2. Rising block, outside block with the same arm, reverse punch (age-uke, soto-uke, gyaku-zuki) — stepping back.

3. Inside block in back stance, jab, reverse punch in front stance (uchi-uke, kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

4. Knife-hand block in back stance, front-leg front kick, spear-hand in front stance (shuto-uke, kizami mae-geri, nukite) — stepping back.

5. Front kick and reverse punch, side thrust kick and reverse punch, roundhouse kick and reverse punch (mae-geri gyaku-zuki, yoko-kekomi gyaku-zuki, mawashi-geri gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

6. Back kick (ushiro-geri) — stepping in.

7. Front kick, side thrust kick, back kick on the same leg in front stance, right and left (mae-geri, yoko-kekomi, ushiro-geri).

Examiners look for what they look for at Nidan, with more demanded of the hip change between hanmi and shomen, the fluency of kick-to-punch transitions, balance on one leg across the in-place combination, and the ability to change direction without losing posture.

Section 3: Self-defense (15 points)

Two self-defense combinations, declared at least 14 days before the grading, against two different categories of attack. Performed once slowly with explanation, then twice at realistic speed with the attacker committing fully. The attacker is a yudansha of similar size; the board may substitute its own uke for any repetition. Scoring: realism (the attack would hurt if it landed; the defense does not depend on the attacker stopping short); economy; finishing position; adaptation when the board changes the attack; and connection to a kata principle the candidate can name. Full-force strikes are pulled or delivered to pads; joint controls are applied to the partner's tap.

Section 4: Kumite (25 points)

Two parts. First, jiyu ippon kumite with five attacks, both sides and both roles (20 exchanges; 15 points):

1. Jodan oi-zuki

2. Chudan oi-zuki

3. Chudan mae-geri

4. Chudan yoko-kekomi

5. Mawashi-geri (attacker declares jodan or chudan)

As attacker the candidate is scored on techniques that are crisp and committed but controlled, so that if the partner misses the block the attack does not injure them; an attack pulled short of real distance and an attack that would land hard on a missed block are both faults. Examiners look for kime, fluidity of movement, and connection between the block or evasion and the counter, together with distance, stance, and timing, and above all that the candidate understands how to get off the power line of the attack rather than meeting it head-on. The candidate may respond with any technique and any timing.

Second, one round of jiyu kumite of two minutes against a partner of the board's choosing (10 points). Examiners look for initiative, distance, control, composure, and the ability to set up a technique rather than wait for an opening; contact is controlled to the body and non-contact to the head.

Section 5: Teaching (10 points)

Five-year rule: a candidate who has taught as the instructor of record for five years or more submits a teaching record (years and where; membership by grade; students graded, with dates; other instructor qualifications), and the board awards the section from the record. A candidate with less than five years gives a 10-minute teaching demonstration on a technical point chosen by the board, with the board's uke as the student.

Yondan (4th Dan)

Components

Section (in order on the day)	Content	Weight	Floor
1. Kata and bunkai	Tokui kata plus three bunkai applications	25	15
2. Kihon	Seven combinations from free kamae, four repetitions each	20	12
3. Self-defense	Two combinations at realistic speed	15	9
4. Kumite	Jiyu ippon, five attacks, both roles; then one round of jiyu kumite	20	12
5. Teaching	Five-year rule; demonstration only if under five years	10	6
6. Contribution to the art	Written paper, or a practical contribution presented after the kumite	10	6

Section 1: Kata and bunkai (25 points)

The candidate's tokui kata, declared at least 14 days before the grading (15 points), performed once at full speed and kime. The candidate then demonstrates and explains three bunkai applications from the kata against a partner (10 points), stating for each the movement in the kata, the attack it answers, and the principle at work. Scoring criteria for kata as at Shodan. Scoring criteria for bunkai as at Sandan.

Section 2: Kihon (20 points)

From free kamae (jiyu kamae). Four repetitions each.

1. Jab, triple punch (kizami-zuki, sanbon renzuki) — stepping in.

2. Rising block, outside block with the same arm, reverse punch (age-uke, soto-uke, gyaku-zuki) — stepping back.

3. Inside block in back stance, jab, reverse punch in front stance (uchi-uke, kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

4. Knife-hand block in back stance, front-leg front kick, spear-hand in front stance (shuto-uke, kizami mae-geri, nukite) — stepping back.

5. Front kick, lunge punch, reverse punch (mae-geri, oi-zuki, gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

6. Front-leg roundhouse kick, side thrust kick, reverse punch (kizami mawashi-geri, yoko-kekomi, gyaku-zuki) — stepping in.

7. Front kick, side thrust kick, back kick on the same leg in front stance, right and left (mae-geri, yoko-kekomi, ushiro-geri).

Examiners look for: hip connection on every technique, kime at the end point with relaxation between, correct hikite and chamber, head level, unbroken breathing, balance on one leg across the in-place combination, and the ability to change direction without losing posture. Hesitation or self-correction mid-combination costs points.

Section 3: Self-defense (15 points)

Two self-defense combinations, declared at least 14 days before the grading, against two different categories of attack. At least one response in each must trace to a movement in the candidate's tokui kata or another kata he names. Performed once slowly with explanation, then twice at realistic speed with the attacker committing fully. The attacker is a yudansha of similar size; the board may substitute its own uke for any repetition. Scoring: realism (the attack would hurt if it landed; the defense does not depend on the attacker stopping short); economy; finishing position; adaptation when the board changes the attack; and connection to a kata principle the candidate can name. Full-force strikes are pulled or delivered to pads; joint controls are applied to the partner's tap.

Section 4: Kumite (20 points)

Two parts. First, jiyu ippon kumite with five attacks, both sides and both roles (20 exchanges; 12 points):

1. Jodan oi-zuki

2. Chudan oi-zuki

3. Chudan mae-geri

4. Chudan yoko-kekomi

5. Mawashi-geri (attacker declares jodan or chudan)

As attacker the candidate is scored on techniques that are crisp and committed but controlled, so that if the partner misses the block the attack does not injure them; an attack pulled short of real distance and an attack that would land hard on a missed block are both faults. Examiners look for kime, fluidity of movement, and connection between the block or evasion and the counter, together with distance, stance, and timing, and above all that the candidate understands how to get off the power line of the attack rather than meeting it head-on. The candidate may respond with any technique and any timing.

Second, one round of jiyu kumite of two minutes against a partner of the board's choosing (8 points). Examiners look for initiative, distance, control, composure, and the ability to set up a technique rather than wait for an opening; contact is controlled to the body and non-contact to the head.

Section 5: Teaching (10 points)

As at Sandan. A Yondan in an independent dojo will grade students, and the rank should attest to that ability.

Section 6: Contribution to the art (10 points)

Yondan candidates make a contribution to the art, in one of two forms:

• A written paper of 2,500 to 4,000 words on a technical or pedagogical topic in Shotokan karate, submitted at least 14 days before the grading, or

• A practical contribution to improving Shotokan karate, presented to the board as part of the examination: a method, syllabus, drill set, or adaptation that other instructors could adopt, with the reasoning behind it and evidence that it works.

A practical contribution is presented in up to 10 minutes after the kumite, followed by questions from the board. The board scores it on technical accuracy and depth; originality; honesty about limits; clarity; and, for a practical contribution, whether it is usable by someone other than the candidate.