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Student Corner
Shokyu Shinsa (grading for Kyu) This is a quick (not 100% complete) overview of the grading system for Kyokushin-Ha, Mudansha. Each Kyokushin-Ha Sensei of each dojo will offer their students the required kata's for each grade test. The white belt (shiro obi) represents innocence and pure beginnings. Since this is the first level no are required to wear this grade, it is the first step in the (kyu) learning levels. At this level the new student learns all about Karate not just only Kyokushin-Ha. Also each student should be taught the proper way to address each student and each Instructor, as well respect to the training hall (Dojo) and to wear and tie their belt as well the bows. Of all the levels this is the MOST IMPORTANT ONE because this is where each student learns the foundation of knowledge, training habits, and spirit. The first 2-4 classes are {should be} taught by the Chief Instructor accompanied by the student instructor (senpai) who will be the new students guide. This way the Sensei sets the foundation and rules that both the Senpai, and new student will clearly understand and follow the goals set by the Sensei. White Belt (Shiro–Obi) Jukyu or 10th Kyu (white belt no stripes) is the first step in the ten Kyu's, and is the Kyu that all new students start. Kukyu or 9th Kyu one blue stripe on the white belt ; time is 1-3 months of training.. Blue Belt (Mizuiro-Obi) Hachikyu or 8th kyu a blue belt and is the first true testing that a new student should attend, time 3-6 months from kukyu. Nanakyu or 7th kyu a blue belt with one yellow stripe, time 3-6 months Yellow Belt (Kiiro-Obi) Rok-kyu or 6th kyu yellow belt time 3-6 months from nanakyu Gokyu or 5th kyu yellow belt with one green stripe, time 4-8 months Green Belt (Midori-Obi) Yonkyu or 4th kyu green belt, time 6-9 months from gokyu Sankyu or 3rd kyu green belt one brown stripe, time 5-9 moths Brown Belt (Cha-Obi) Nikyu or 2nd kyu brown belt time 6-9 months from sankyu Ikkyu or brown belt one black stripe, time 8-10months Yudansha (Kuro-Obi) shikashi Shodan 1 or more years after Ikkyu Nidan 2 or more years after Shodan Sandan 3 or more years after Nidan Yondan 4 or more years after Sandan Godan 5 or more years after Yondan Rokudan 10 or more years after Godan Nanadan- Judan 10 years after each dan rank Please note that testing required for each dan grade up to and including Godan and from that point forward Dan promotion is based on Kancho's decision, years involved in Karate, accomplishments i.e, students, self, teaching skills, Karate knowledge and what one has done for the Art to name just a few requirements. Grading (Shinsa) process is made up of 5 elements, the knowledge of Kihon’s (basic block’s, punches, kicks, & stances) Kata (forms), and Kumite (sparring) are the three physical elements. Knowledge of the Art, i.e. ability to teach it, and the system's history, and Spirit in each shinsa process. The time between each Kyu belt level varies on each student (due to age and physical make-up and time spent training per week etc). Using the most learned student it is 3 months for white to blue and blue to yellow (though up to 6 months and longer between each is more common) and 6 months between yellow and green and green to brown (though 9-12 months between each is more common, though it is not uncommon to be 1 year between each) and 1- 2 years between brown and black We are using minimal time between each rank, but your instructor will be your guide through this process for years to come. Time between each rank is not something a student should dwell on, but they should focus on learning and listening to each of their instructors. Time noted for each rank is not accurate do to many variation of each student, and is just a guide, nor is it used as a schedule for progress for any student. Kata is personal, once you understand it. I don’t mean being able to do the kata without mistake or perfect technique either and defiantly not "performimg" it . If you observe a karateka “perform” a kata, which no mistake is made, you say they know the kata. Then you see a karateka “do” a kata that is done from within, no mind, no thought, just execution of the move and spirit to the fullest, you see a different kata. Your eyes will glaze over, your heart will pound, and you push your jaw back up to mumble, Wow!!! You feel the power, every, punch kick, block and stance from across the dojo floor. You start to see each invisible person that attacks them and they defends agianst. The Kiai causes your body to bleed, do to the spirit and power it holds. This is the kata all should strive for, which will remove ego from the karateka, allowing them to move to the next level of nothing viod of ego and the ability to teach with wisdom. Mark Dana Sensei Mas Oyama also emphasized the three fundamental principles of kata: |
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Reading is a powerful way of learning many things of the Martial Arts. One should not focus their reading on just the Kyokushin system, but read all books on all systems as possible.Since the student should expand their minds to all Budo and Bujutsu as well as the philosophies of all the systems and all the cultures of the worlds Martial Arts.Here is a small list of the books one should read before they reach Shodan. Reading for each student should never stop just because of his or her rank. No one is all knowing and must continue to gain knowledge, that is why Shodan is known as the "Beginners grade" since it is understood that a student truly begins to learn at Shodan!!! The book of Five Rings, Sun Tzu’ s Art of War, Bubishi, The Code of the Warrior, Classical Budo, Classical Bujutsu, 47 Ronin, The Ronin, Tao Te Ching, The Unfettered Mind, Hagakure, Zen in the Martial Arts, Ideals of the Samurai, The weaponless Warriors, The Roots of Wisdom... Again, this is just a Small example of the books one should/can read, we left out all books on Karate since you should read every book you can on Karate and the list would be much to long. You should figure to read two books a month (sometimes 3-4 do to the small number of pages in some of the books) OSU The word OSU is considered by many Karate-Ka, both Japanese and non-Japanese to be a crude word, not acceptable for use in the dojo. This is because it is interpreted as a contraction of “Ohayo gozaimasu”, and through its use in the docks and barracks it is therefore the Japanese equivalent of “what’s up man!” The OSU! we use however does not have the same origin. It comes for the expression “Oshi shinobu! ” which means to push oneself to the limit of one's ability and yet to continue, to persevere under pressure, and to endure.It is used as a word of many meanings, expressing the willingness to strive against all odds, to persevere on the road to physical, mental, and spiritual strength, an expression of respect of ones seniors and responsibility to ones juniors.It is pronounced “OSS!”, with a long "O", and not "Oosh" or "Oos" as is commonly heard outside of Japan" !In the Kyokushin Dojo, it is also a greeting and can be used to replace words such as "yes", "alright", "good", "I'll do it" and "excuse me". It is also used to mean "hello", "goodbye", "have patience with me", "I'm trying", "well done!" and just about anything else. Unlike many other Karate styles, a student is never expected to say "yes sir" (HAI!) when given a command in the Kyokushin dojo but to use the word "OSU" instead.As students of Kyokushin and Budo, we are all expected to strive and develop this positive attitude (spirit) of perseverance, determination, and respect for others in our training as well as in our daily life (i.e. business, work, studies etc).Dojo Kun1. We will train our hearts and bodies for a strong, unshaken spirit. 2. We will pursue the true meaning of the martial way so that in time our senses will be alert. 3. With true vigor we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self-denial. 4. We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence. 5. We will follow our principles and never forget the true virtue of humility. 6. We will look upwards to wisdom, and strength, and not seeking other desires. 7. All our lives, through the discipline of Karate, we will seek to fulfill the true meaning of the Kyokushin way Karate Creed I come to you with only Karate, empty hands. I carry no weapons and mean you no harm. But should it be an affair of honor, or possible physical harm, or a matter of principles. Then here I stand, with my weapons, my empty hands.
Albert Pine once said; What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal |
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