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Shotokan, walking the way: Part 2
George Carruthers and Charles Gidley
To follow on from our last article where we touched on the historical perspective of Shotokan gradings and their importance, we would like to continue with the two groups within the grading structure that of the kyu and dan grades.
Kyu (student) grades
Within the Shotokan style, there can be as many as 10 kyu grade levels, pre black belt, which are used simply as a point of reference to gauge the progress of the individual student. There may be a further 10 dan (advanced) grades within the black belt structure itself which is above and beyond the kyu ranks. The amount of steps in the grading process is dependent on the policies and allegiances of the individual associations involved. Most Shotokan groups either follow or have the ability to follow a 10 step grading process in both kyu and dan grade structures to include the JSKA (Japan Shotokan Karate Association), SKI (Shotokan Karate International), ISKF (International Shotokan Karate Federation) and the JKA (Japan Karate Association) to name but a few. The SKA (Shotokan Karate of America) on the other hand use a 5 step system, at least within the dan grade structure, which is based on their unwillingness to supersede any grade awarded by Master Funakoshi.
Each group may further use a slightly different variation on the colours to denote the grade within the Kyu grade system. However, the general rule in Shotokan, is that the darker the colour of belt the more senior the karate-ka. All students start with simple white-belts (10th kyu), denoting that they are beginners. The individual groups and associations usually have a set procedure, which is written down in order that the curriculum may be followed by both student and instructor alike. However the syllabus can be seen as just a guideline and may be open to change as necessary by the grading examiner/s on the day. This is especially true of the higher dan grades.
It may be considered that the rationale for the progressive nature of the kyu grade system itself and the use of the coloured belts is to allow an instructor the ability to gauge the progress of an individual student in both time and technique. It also allows the student access to a process which leads to a level of achievement and a way of appreciating just where they are in their personal karate learning cycle and self improvement. This is in itself is an important concept in the early stages of training for both student and instructor alike. These awards must however, represent recognition of the general progress of the student in all the physical, mental and emotional aspects of both karate and ‘self’.
Unfortunately, because of the volume of students taking kyu grades and the requirement to keep the dojo full and the students happy, this part of system, like the dan grades themselves may be open to some abuse. This situation of course is not limited to Shotokan but is inherent in all martial arts and styles. Fortunately the majority of instructors and associations, whether Japanese or Western led, retain the passion and ethics which ensures that standards within the style are maintained to a high level. This is in turn is reflected through their students and instructors and therefore the reputation and profile of the association itself.
To advance through the kyu grade system, a student must be able to demonstrate a proficiency in the basic technique of the style. This covers the three ‘K’, at least in Shotokan, of kihon, kata and kumite which are used to varying degrees dependent on the grade. The student must also have a basic knowledge of the etiquette, terms and commands used in a Shotokan dojo but the importance of this within the grading process, varies between groups.
Time between kyu grades may also differ from group to group and is usually at the recommendation of the instructor. Normally it involves a minimum time scale of between three and six months of continual training with a doubling of the time span between 1st kyu and black belt. There are also, within the system, an allowance or flexibility for both temporary grades, for those who didn’t quite make the grade and a double grading, for those individuals who have excelled enough in all areas of their own grading, to ‘jump’ a grade. The latter usually entails the individual being examined on the kata of the next grade and passing the requirements laid down at the time.
The kyu grade system runs numerically downwards from the most junior to the most senior e.g. 10th (ju) kyu is junior to 1st (ik) kyu. Ikkyu is the grade before 1st dan (shodan), the very first of the dan grades. To have reached the point at which an individual student is ready to attempt his first black belt grading, a karate-ka must have a sound grounding in Shotokan karate. This is in preparation for a road which will hopefully take them on a pathway of lifelong learning in the art.
Dan grades
A dan grade denotes a level of expertise held by those karate-ka who have successfully progressed through the kyu ranking system. The plain black belt, as used in our style, with or without personalised characters, is significant as it should recognise the level of knowledge, experience and understanding which allows the individual concerned the right to join those esteemed yudansha (black belts) who have gone before them. Above a certain grade, usually Go (5th) dan, a written dissertation is a requirement of the grading process.
Sho (1st) dan is seen as a transition between beginner and advanced student, or in some groups from student to instructor. However, most mainstream organisations accept that a shodan grade denotes that the karate-ka is ready to begin serious training, as the basics of the style have been mastered. In most cases it will take between 2 to 5 years to attain their first black belt with the shodan grading being universally accepted from the age of 16. All black belt grades below that age are classed either as ‘junior’ grades or in some organisations, not accepted at all. The San (3rd) dan is seen by some instructors, ourselves included, as a point where the individual has completed their ‘apprenticeship’ in Shotokan before progressing towards ‘master craftsman’. As with the kyu grade structure, there is also a timescale between the gradings which differs slightly dependent on the association and in most cases, has age related requirements.
The levels within the Dan grades, unlike the kyu grade system, run from the lowest to the highest, with the highest denoting seniority, experience, knowledge and understanding. They begin at Sho(1st) dan and progress to either Go(5th) dan as with the Shoto-kai or to Ku (9th) dan in the mainstream Shotokan groups to include the JKA, JSKA, ITKF or JKS. There are of course other groups who have Ju (10th) dan grades, which is awarded rather than requiring any formalised grading. The SKIF being an example of the same with Mr Kanazawa holding the only legitimate 10th dan in Shotokan from a mainstream organisation that we are aware of). (There are no 10th Dans listed by the JKA/JSKA/ITKF and JKS, however there is we believe, the structure and ability for these groups to raise an individual to Judan)
Within the JSKA (Great Britain)’s grading system guidelines, the subtleties of the requirements for progression through the dan grades are laid down by Keigo Abe sensei 8th Dan, Chief Instructor to the JSKA internationally and the JSKA Technical Committee:
Shodan (1st dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 2 years and learnt the basic techniques in karate and can apply them.
Nidan (2nd dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 1 year after Shodan and mastered the basic techniques in karate and can apply them fully.
Sandan (3rd dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 2 years after Nidan and mastered karate techniques and can apply them fully.
Yondan (4th dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 3 years after Sandan and mastered all karate techniques with an understanding of their principles. They can further apply them fully and have the ability to give general instruction.
Godan (5th dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 4 years after Yondan and who have attained a high level of Karate technique and displayed originality in their own Karate.
Rokudan (6th Dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 6 years after Godan are a minimum of 40 years of age and who have attained a high level of Karate both in technique and soul after devoting themselves to training.
Nanadan (7th Dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 7 years after Rokudan, who attained a fully mature level of Karate both in technique and soul after devoting themselves to training.
Hachidan (8th Dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 7 years after Nanadan and who have attained an acutely refined level of Karate after devoting themselves to training.
Kyudan (9th Dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 8 years after Hachidan and who mastered the essence of Karate, after devoting themselves to training.
Judan (10th Dan) is awarded to those who have trained for a minimum of 9 years after Kyudan and who mastered the essence of Karate and entered a transcendental level.
The time requirement between grades and our perception of the grading itself will be discussed in the next article.
George or Charles are happy to accept comments and can be contacted through jskagb@aol.com website: www.jskagb.org
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