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IOSSKA Yudansha Rank Requirements*

Shodan

  • Minimum of 16 years old and 3 years of training

  • Kihon Renshu and Zenshin Kotai

  • Ippon Kumites – all 17 – demonstrated with a partner

  • Seisan, Ananku, Wansu, Passai, and Gojushiho

  • Seisan (3) person renzoku  kumite and Seisan Yakosoku  kumite

  • Three minute jiyu kumite match

  • 50 hours as an assistant teacher

  • Written test on the history of the Shimabukuro family

 

Nidan

  • Minimum of 18 years old, two years after promotion to shodan

  • All material required for shodan

  • Wanchin, and Naifanchi shodan

  • 3 minute jikyu kumite match

  • Nafianchi Renzoku Kumite

  • 100 hours of as an assistant teacher

  • Written test on the history of Shorin Ryu Karate

 

Sandan

  • Minimum of 21 years of age and three years after promotion to nidan

  • All previous material

  • Chinto, Naifanchi nidan and Tokumine no kun

  • Demonstrate (2) Renzoku kumite drills

  • 150 hours as an assistant teacher or sensei of a dojo for one year

  • Demonstrates support of Seibukan on a national level

  • Written test on basic principles of Seibukan development of speed and power

 

Yondan

  • Minimum of 25 years old and four years after promotion to sandan

  • Bunkai applications from each Seibukan kata – two (2) from each kata

  • Kusanku and Naifanchi sandan

  • Demonstrate a renzoku kumite drill created by the person being graded

  • 200 hours as an assistant instructor or sensei of a dojo for two years

  • Demonstrated support and development of Seibukan on a national level

  • Deliver a paper explaining the theory of any Seibukan kata – history, purpose and value of the kata (due one week before test date)

 

Godan

  • Minimum of 30 years old and 5 years after promotion to yondan

  • Jion and Passai Gwa – demonstrate the difference in execution from Seibukan kata

  • Deliver a paper on any subject relative to Seibukan (Paper must be delivered one week before the grading date)

  • 300 hours of teaching as an assistant instructor or dojo sensei for five years

  • Demonstrated the ability to train others to the levels of yudansha

  • Demonstrated the support and development of Seibukan on a national and international basis

 

Rokyudan

  • Minimum of 36 years old and 6 years between promotion to godan

  • A proven dojo sensei or proven leader of other yudansha in a chartered Seibukan Dojo

  • Demonstrated the ability to develop yudansha to a higher grade levels

  • Visited and trained in Okinawa a minimum of 2 times

  • Teaches on a national level to Seibukan members

  • Pinan Kata

  • Perform (2) Seibukan Kata of choice

 

*The above requirements are subject to change at the discretion of Hanshi Dan Smith and the Seibukan USA Chief Instructors.

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