Grading Requirements

We prefer to use the term “grade” to that of “rank” since rank is easily confused with hierarchical position and status and can easily get in the way of personal progress. Accommodations may be made to reflect each individual’s progress relative to their own capabilities.

In all cases, requirements are cumulative and each student should continue to refine and learn from earlier material even as they seek to progress in the advanced concepts.

We do not charge a fee for grades below black belt. Black belt grading fees are collected to compensate visiting Jundokan representatives who administer black belt examinations. Belts are provided free of charge to students as they progress through the grades.

• Adult grades begin at 9th Kyu and progress to 10th Dan.

• Beginning adult students are considered to be 9th Kyu.

• Juniors (under 16 years old) follow a separate grading curriculum. They will be moved over to the adult curriculum according to their individual progress at the instructor's discretion. At that time, they will be awarded the appropriate adult grade according to their level.

• Grading examinations from 8th to 4th Kyu and for Junior Orange Belt and below are provided for each student on an individual basis as their progress allows.

• Grading examinations are held at scheduled intervals, but accomodations will be made for individual grading if necessary.

• Time between grades may very greatly between students.

Belt: White Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Basic Blocks Basic Stances Basic Punches Basic Kicks Basic Hojo-undo Dojo Kun/Basic Terminology Belt: White Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Sandan Uke (Solo) Basic Stance Set Basic Kigu-undo Belt: White Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 15 to 30 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Sanchin Basic Ukemi Sandan Uke (w/Partner) Belt: Green Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 30 to 60 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Gekisai Dai Ichi (Kata) Gekisai Dai Ichi (Kihon Bunkai) Basic Judo Sweeps Kakie Kihon Belt: Green Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 50 to 100 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Gekisai Dai Ni (Kata) Gekisai Dai Ni (Kihon Bunkai) Saifa (Kata) Saifa (Kihon Bunkai) Belt: Green Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 50 to 100 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Seiyunchin (Kata) Seiyunchin (Kihon Bunkai) Belt: Brown Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 100 to 200 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Shisochin (Kata) Shisochin (Kihon Bunkai Improved Sanchin (w/Breathing) Ability to Teach Beginners American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certification Belt: Brown Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 100 to 200 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Sanseiru (Kata) Sanseiru (Kihon Bunkai) Belt: Brown Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 100 to 200 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: The requirements for promotion to Shodan from 1st Kyu are set by Jundokan So Honbu, Okinawa, Japan. In addition to those technical requirements set forth by Jundokan, we require members to complete the ASEP Basic Coaching Certification and to write a paper on their karate experience and their future goals pertaining to their training. Belt: Black Grading Fee: $100 per Dan Grade Approximate Time: Variable Requirements to advance to next grade: The requirements for all dan grade promotions are set and regulated by Jundokan So Honbu, Okinawa, Japan.

Belt: White Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Basic Blocks Basic Stances Basic Punches Front Kick Sprint Skip Back-Skip Side-Skip Monster Step Belt: Yellow with white stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 30 to 40 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Escape (straight-wrist grab) Escape (cross-wrist grab) Escape (double-wrist grab) Sandan Uke (solo) Roundhouse Kick Basic Stance Set Count to 10 in Japanese Ladder Mini-Run Ladder Mini-Gallop Ladder Side-Step Ladder Hip-Twist Belt: Orange with white stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 60 to 70 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Escape (double-hand choke) Escape (choke against wall) Escape (single-hand choke) Moving Reverse Punch Sandan Uke (partner) Joint Kick Sparring (3 matches) Ladder Full-Run Ladder Full-Gallop Ladder Off-Step Belt: Green with white stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 90 to 100 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Kata (Gekisai Dai Ichi) Defend Straight Punch Defend Hooking Punch Four Direction Front Stance Set Sparring (5 matches) Explain Dojo Kun Identify Goju-ryu Figures Belt: Purple with white stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 120 to 130 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Kata (Gekisai Dai Ni) Defend Rear Choke (2 hand) Defend Rear Choke (1 arm) Four Direction Sanchin Dachi Set Sparring (5 matches) Belt: Blue with white stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 150 to 160 sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Kata (Saifa) Defend Rear Hug (over arms) Defend Rear Hug (under arms) Kakie Sparring (5 matches) Belt: Brown with white stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: Variable Requirements to advance to next grade: At this point, junior students should be polishing and refining their technique as well as learning new skills as their individual abilities allow. At the age of 16, they will be eligible to examine for adult shodan grade.

Belt: White Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 Sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Make a good fist and middle punch Belt: White with yellow stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 Sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Basic Skips and Jumps Belt: White with orange stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 Sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Basic Stances Belt: White with green stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 Sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Basic Punches Belt: White with purple stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 Sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Basic Blocks Belt: White with blue stripe Grading Fee: None Approximate Time: 10 to 20 Sessions Requirements to advance to next grade: Basic Kicks

Guests may wear the uniform and belt that they have earned in their own training or may wear a white belt according their own preference.

Members of Jundokan So Honbu Dojo or official branch dojos thereof will be recognized at their current Jundokan grade. They should work hard to make sure they are current on the specific requirements we use according to such grade.

Students who have previous experience in traditional Goju-ryu that is fundamentally similar to the way it is taught at Jundokan may wear the belt color appropriate for their current Goju-ryu grade. At the next scheduled grading examination, they may reexamine for their appropriate current grade.

Students from other styles of martial art should wear a white belt to begin training and then may progress through the grading levels at an accelerated pace according to their individual level.