- The Grading System
What is a grading? A grading is a test of your progress of an achieved level of knowledge, skill and spirit. Coloured belts are worn during training to reflect this to your Sensei and training partners so that they are aware at a glance of your level.
Traditional formal grading’s are held on average every three months. These consist usually of three judges and one of your instructors. The judges sit at the table positioned at the top of the Dojo. Your Sensei stands to the right of the table and conducts your grading accordingly.
Before your individual grading takes place all students are taken through a warm up routine. As well as preparing your body for the grading this also calms the nerves. A minimum of two students are graded together so don’t worry you won’t be on your own.
Your grading starts with basics (Kihon). Once you have worked through these it’s on to bag and pad work followed by form (Kata) and then application (Bunkai).Takedown techniques (Taoshi Waza) are introduced at green belt (6th Kyu). At brown belt (3rd Kyu) sparing (Kumite) is added. For shodan (1st Dan Black belt) alternative bunkai are added with weapon attacks for adults.
The grading content will vary depending on the individual and student numbers on the day, but rest assured: every student will earn their grade.
NOTE: Do not attempt your grading if you are ill or injured in any way that will hinder your performance!
You can always grade next time.
Reasonable Grading Periods
8th Kyu - 2nd Kyu 3 months between grades: 20 sessions per grade
2nd Kyu - 1st Kyu 6 months
1st Kyu – Shodan 12 months
You will require a minimum of 20 training sessions between grades up to 2nd Kyu brown belt.After which a minimum of six months training is required to 1st Kyu brown belt.Then a further twelve months to Shodan.After attaining your 1st kyu brown belt you will have to train a minimum of twelve months towards Shodan after this period your Sensei will decide if and when you are ready to take your Shodan grading.This is an invitation only grading.
The belt (obi) / grade (Kyu) order is as follows:-
White belt 9th Kyu
Yellow belt 8th Kyu
Orange belt 7th Kyu
Green belt 6th Kyu
Blue belt 5th Kyu
Purple belt 4th Kyu
Triple brown stripe belt 3rd Kyu
Double brown stripe belt 2nd Kyu
Brown belt 1st Kyu
Black belt Shodan 1st Dan
9th Kyu White Belt
This is your automatically assigned grade upon starting training. Your first belt (Obi) being white is supplied with you first suit (Gi).
8th Kyu Yellow Belt
-Basics (Kihon)
-Stances (Dachi)
I. Heiko dachi
II. Zenkutsu dachi
III. Han-Zenkutsu dachi
IV. Sanchin dachi
V. Shiko dachi
-Blocks (Uke)
I. Age uke
II. Uchi uke
III. Gedan barai
IV. Soto uke
-Strikes (Tsuki)
I. Jodan tsuki
II. Chudan tsuki
III. Gedan tsuki
IV. Shuto tsuki
V. Uraken tsuki
VI. Mae empi tsuki
-Kicks (Geri)
I. Mae geri
II. Mawashi geri
-Bag / Pad work
The techniques in the list that you have learned are to be demonstrated using bags and pads
-Form (Kata)
I. Kihon Da Ich
II. Kihon Da Ni
7th Kyu Orange Belt
-Kihon
-Dachi
I. Heiko dachi
II. Zenkutsu dachi
III. Han-Zenkutsu dachi
IV. Sanchin dachi
V. Shiko dachi
VI. Neko ashi dachi
-Uke
I. Age uke
II. Uchi uke
III. Gedan barai
IV. Hiki uke
V. Soto uke
VI. Mawashi uke
-Tsuki
I. Jodan tsuki
II. Chudan tsuki
III. Gedan tsuki
IV. Morote tsuki
V. Shuto uchi
VI. Uraken uchi
VII. Mae empi uchi
VIII. Morote kakuto uchi
-Geri
I. Mae geri
II. Mawashi geri
III. Kin geri
IV. Kansetsu geri
-Bag / Pad work
The techniques in the list that you have learned are to be demonstrated using bags and pads
-Kata 1) Gekisai Dai Ichi
-Bunkai
2) Gekisai Dai Ichi (junior & senior)
6th Kyu Green Belt
-Kihon
I. Dachi
II. Heiko dachi
III. Zenkutsu dachi
IV. Han-Zenkutsu dachi
V. Sanchin dachi
VI. Shiko dachi
VII. Neko ashi dachi
-Uke
I. Age uke
II. Uchi uke
III. Gedan barai
IV. Hiki uke
V. Soto uke
VI. Mawashi uke
-Tsuki
I. Jodan tsuki
II. Chudan tsuki
III. Gedan tsuki
IV. Morote tsuki
V. Shuto uchi
VI. Uraken uchi
VII. Mae empi uchi
VIII. Morote kakuto uchi
-Geri
I. Mae geri
II. Mawashi geri
III. Kin geri
IV. Kensetsu geri
V. Yoko geri
-Bag / Pad work
The techniques in the list that you have learned are to be demonstrated using bags and pads.
-Kata
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Sanchin (snr)
-Bunkai
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi ( jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (snr)
Performed with Takedown techniques (Taoshi Waza)
5th Kyu Blue Belt
-Kihon
-Dachi
I. Heiko dachi
II. Zenkutsu dachi
III. Han-Zenkutsu dachi
IV. Sanchin dachi
V. Shiko dachi
VI. Neko ashi dachi
-Uke
I. Age uke
II. Uchi uke
III. Gedan barai
IV. Hiki uke
V. Soto uke
VI. Mawashi uke
VII. Nagashi uke
-Tsuki
I. Jodan tsuki
II. Chudan tsuki
III. Gedan tsuki
IV. Morote tsuki
V. Shuto uchi
VI. Uraken uchi
VII. Mae empi uchi
VIII. Morote kakuto uchi
IX. Tettsui uchi
X. Haito uchi
-Geri
I. Mae geri
II. Mawashi geri
III. Kin geri
IV. Kensetsu geri
V. Yoko geri
VI. Ushiro geri
-Bag / Pad work
The techniques in the list that you have learned are to be demonstrated using bags and pads.
-Kata
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Sanchin (jnr & snr)
IV. Saifa (snr)
-Bunkai
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
(Performed with Taoshi Waza)
4th Kyu Purple Belt
-Kihon
-Dachi
I. Heiko dachi
II. Zenkutsu dachi
III. Han-Zenkutsu dachi
IV. Sanchin dachi
V. Shiko dachi
VI. Neko ashi dachi
-Uke
I. Age uke
II. Uchi uke
III. Gedan barai
IV. Hiki uke
V. Soto uke
VI. Mawashi uke
VII. Nagashi uke
VIII. Ko uke
-Tsuki
I. Jodan tsuki
II. Chudan tsuki
III. Gedan tsuki
IV. Morote tsuki
V. Heiko tsuki
VI. Shuto uchi
VII. Uraken uchi
VIII. Mae empi uchi
IX. Morote kakuto uchi
-Geri
I. Mae geri
II. Mawashi geri
III. Kin geri
IV. Kensetsu geri
V. Yoko geri
VI. Ushiro geri
-Bag / Pad work
The techniques in the list that you have learned are to be demonstrated using bags and pads
-Kata
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Sanchin (jnr & snr)
IV. Saifa ( jnr & snr)
-Bunkai
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Saifa (snr)
(Performed with Taoshi Waza)
3rd Kyu Brown Belt
-Kihon
-Dachi
I. Heiko dachi
II. Zenkutsu dachi
III. Han-Zenkutsu dachi
IV. Sanchin dachi
V. Shiko dachi
VI. Neko ashi dachi
-Uke
I. Age uke
II. Uchi uke
III. Gedan barai
IV. Hiki uke
V. Soto uke
VI. Mawashi uke
VII. Nagashi uke
VIII. Ko uke
IX. Kuri uke
X. Suki uke
XI. Shotei otoshi uke
-Tsuki
I. Jodan tsuki
II. Chudan tsuki
III. Gedan tsuki
IV. Morote tsuki
V. Heiko tsuki
VI. Shuto uchi
VII. Uraken uchi
VIII. Mae empi uchi
IX. Morote kakuto uchi
X. Tettsui uchi
XI. Nukite
XII. Furi uchi
-Geri
I. Mae geri
II. Mawashi geri
III. Kin geri
IV. Kensetsu geri
V. Yoko geri
VI. Ushiro geri
-Bag / Pad work
The techniques in the list that you have learned are to be demonstrated using bags and pads
-Kata
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Sanchin (jnr & snr)
IV. Saifa jnr & snr
V. Seiyunchin snr
-Bunkai
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi ( jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Saifa (jnr & snr)
(Performed with Taoshi Waza)
2nd Kyu Brown Belt
-Kihon
-Dachi
I. Heiko dachi
II. Zenkutsu dachi
III. Han-Zenkutsu dachi
IV. Sanchin dachi
V. Shiko dachi
VI. Neko ashi dachi
-Uke
I. Age uke
II. Uchi uke
III. Gedan barai
IV. Hiki uke
V. Soto uke
VI. Mawashi uke
VII. Nagashi uke
VIII. Ko uke
IX. Kuri uke
X. Suki uke
XI. Shotei otoshi uke
-Tsuki
I. Jodan tsuki
II. Chudan tsuki
III. Gedan tsuki
IV. Morote tsuki
V. Heiko tsuki
VI. Shuto uchi
VII. Uraken uchi
VIII. Mae empi uchi
IX. Morote kakuto uchi
X. Tettsui uchi
XI. Nukite
XII. Furi uchi
-Geri
I. Mae geri
II. Mawashi geri
III. Kin geri
IV. Kensetsu geri
V. Yoko geri
VI. Ushiro geri
-Bag / Pad work
The techniques in the list that you have learned are to be demonstrated using bags and pads
-Kata
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Sanchin (jnr & snr)
IV. Saifa (jnr & snr)
V. Seyunchin ( jnr & snr)
-Bunkai
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi ( jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Saifa (jnr & snr)
IV. Seyunchin (snr)
(Performed with Taoshi Waza)
1st Kyu Brown Belt
-Kihon
-Dachi
I. Heiko dachi
II. Zenkutsu dachi
III. Han-Zenkutsu dachi
IV. Sanchin dachi
V. Shiko dachi
VI. Neko ashi dachi
-Uke
I. Age uke
II. Uchi uke
III. Gedan barai
IV. Hiki uke
V. Soto uke
VI. Mawashi uke
VII. Nagashi uke
VIII. Ko uke
IX. Kuri uke
X. Suki uke
XI. Shotei otoshi uke
XII. Juji uke
-Tsuki
I. Jodan tsuki
II. Chudan tsuki
III. Gedan tsuki
IV. Morote tsuki
V. Heiko tsuki
VI. Shuto uchi
VII. Uraken uchi
VIII. Mae empi uchi
IX. Morote kakuto uchi
X. Tettsui uchi
XI. Nukite
XII. Furi uchi
-Geri
I. Mae geri
II. Mawashi geri
III. Kin geri
IV. Kensetsu geri
V. Yoko geri
VI. Ushiro geri
-Bag / Pad work
The techniques in the list that you have learned are to be demonstrated using bags and pads
-Kata
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Sanchin (jnr & snr)
IV. Saifa (jnr & snr)
V. Seyunchin (jnr & snr)
VI. Geri Waza (snr)
-Bunkai
I. Gekisai Dai Ichi (jnr & snr)
II. Gekisai Dai Ni (jnr & snr)
III. Saifa (jnr & snr)
IV. Seyunchin (jnr & snr)
(Performed with Taoshi Waza)
-Kumite
(Meeting of hands)
jnr & snr
Shodan Black Belt
Dansha Gradings It is expected that by shodan level students have approximately 90% knowledge of dojo terminology in the Japanese language. Gradings are conducted mostly in Japanese as follows: Syllabus Traditional warm up Basic through to advanced techniques Moving techniques Free choice - techniques announced in Japanese performed as functional combinations Pad work Kakie + finishing techniques Body conditioning Chishi - all routines Wrestling Ippon kumite Kata - including all previous kata, plus Sanchin shime testing Kata bunkai + renzoku no bunkai (Supplimentary kata, bunkai and weaponry at Examiner's discretion) 16 man kumite - 16 x 1.5 minute rounds, no stopping Belt whipping - 20 seconds, by 2 senpai Origins of the 16 man kumite The part that keeps every promising Black Belt up the night before the test, at least dwelling on it for a while, the sixteen man kumite. After about two and half hours of Dansha testing students are required to fight 16 individuals for one and half minute rounds. This totals 24 minutes of continuous sparring (semi contact). Not only is a standard of fitness important for this but also a strong mental condition (spirit). Irrespective how fit a participant is, he or she, if they put 100% effort into it will be worn out at the end of 24 minutes. I have seen people take this test and try to conserve energy for the last few fights, this is not what I am looking for. A good 16 man fight (when I say man, I of course mean mankind, both man and woman) is when students give their all physically and the spirit then carries them onto the
end. When we are tired and feeling sick in the stomach, a little bruised, it is all too easy to give up, in fact the body sends messages to the brain for this to happen. Unless the spirit can override this request we will feel like giving up throughout the sparring and it will be noticeable to the examiner. After accomplishment of the 16 man fight my black belts are allowed to wear a Black gi whenever they want to during training unless otherwise stated to wear the white one. The black gi to us in the TOGKA is a symbol of the 16 man fight. I know by now some of you out there are saying 16 man fight that's nothing, Kyokushinkai style does 100 man kumite. I had the of honour of meeting one of the first few "Gaijin" (None Japanese) to have taken such a test, Sensei John Jarvis of New Zealand who in his wisdom reduced this ritual from 100 man to a 40 man fight for his Shodan gradings. I was in New Zealand on the invitation of Sensei Jarvis teaching at one of his Gasshukus (training camps) when a Shodan test was taken. I always remember counting to myself how many fights passed before the student in my estimation was at the mercy of his attackers, it was 16. For the next 24 fights the poor man did not know if he was coming or going. He eventually lost a couple of teeth to an over enthusiastic black belt (Nidan) as he inadvertently walked into a "pulled" Jodan Kizame-tsuki, and that was "only" a 40 man fight. I vowed to myself that day none of my students would lose their teeth or any other body parts in such a way. I did like the idea of some kind of endurance test for the spirit and hardiness of body, so I included the 16 man fight and like all good teachers should teach by example, I underwent the 16 man fight too. I will not give my students tasks to do that I cannot do myself, being satisfied that the 16 man fight can bring even the mighty to their knees. I have kept it at that number ever since. [N.B. Karateka over the age of 50 are not required to participate in the 16 man kumite. Strikes to the face should be open handed.]
Purpose of the belt whipping I am sure many of you are wondering why in the TOGKA Shodan grading syllabus are requirements for the student to undertake a 16 man fight then a 20 second whipping, carried out by 2 Senpai using their black belt as whips (appx. 30 lashes are administered). Some of you are wondering how a mild beating up to a bloody nose or fat lip, followed by a flogging can help a new black belt on his Dansha path. I hope after reading this article my logic is made clear to you. A student of TOGKA is ready for black belt after about 4 to 5 years of training twice a week regularly. In this time their character grows stronger and they become more assertive in many ways. It comes with traditional training methods. But although we seek only goodness from training the badness can follow, by this I mean we gain confidence from Karate training but over confidence will then follow leading to Ego inflation. I have in my 42 years of practicing Karate-do seen this happen to all martial artists in varying degrees. So it must be a natural process in a world of DUALITY to experience BOTH degrees of whatever we seek (in this example confidence). The trick is then to realize there is ‘’a third position’’ esoterically named the triune. It is where harmony is said to exist. It is in basic terms the middle path as shown on the diagram. I really think this is the quest of the Dansha journey to find the middle path. The Kyu journey starts with no confidence or very little and we build as much as we can on the way, using rigorous training as a tool to strengthen both body & mind. But to find the middle path we need the help of the soul. This is where the whipping comes in. It can promote in some people the awakening of the soul. This happening in spiritual terms is called "Opening the third eye" or the eye of enlightenment. It is well known in Bushido that with the help of rigorous training over many years, a student might awaken the soul and become more as one with their arts and surroundings. Rigorous training puts the body in pain and when the body is stressed the mentalism gets stronger. In my opinion the 16man fight and whipping can do that. Many wise men of the past such as Guru-Magi and Avatars have put their bodies through pain to attain enlightenment. This is a great example of how the hard and soft work together on a higher level. I believe in the science of this discipline and try to give my new black belts this awakening as a tool for their Dansha journey.
Some people put their bodies through a rigorous discipline lasting a life time to gain enlightenment. Although the 16 man fight and whipping can stir "the third eye" it is for the individual to then keep it awake.
-Sensei Graham Ravey. [N.B. Protective eye wear must be worn to prevent accidental injury.]
Weapons Kata
Gekisai Dai Ichi. Seniors only