Dan (rank)

The dan ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in traditional fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was later applied to martial arts by Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asian countries.

In the modern Japanese martial arts, holders of dan ranks often wear a black belt, those of higher rank also red-and-white and red belts. Dan ranks are still given in arts such as the strategy board games Go and Renju, the art of flower arrangement (ikebana), and tea ceremony.

The character of Dan is used in Japanese to mean step or grade, and is commonly equated with degree. However, the origin of the Chinese character, pronounced duán in modern Pinyin, was used to mean "phase". Dan rank is often used along with the lower rank system, Kyū rank. There are other methods of assessing rank in Japanese martial systems; of particular note is the older, menkyo system.

The definition of a 1st Dan Black Belt in the Young Americans system is, “the student who has

mastered the learning and execution of every technique from white belt through 1st Dan Black Belt.”

Ranks in Japanese: Many arts use between one and ten Dan ranks:

Degree 1st Dan 2nd Dan 3rd Dan 4th Dan 5th Dan 6th Dan 7th Dan 8th Dan 9th Dan 10th Dan Shodan Nidan Sandan Yondan Godan Rokudan Nanadan Hachidan Kudan Jūdan

red- red- red- Belt Colour black black black black black

white white white red red

BLACK BELT DAN REQUIREMENTS:

Black Belt Dan Levels are awarded based on meeting ALL of the following criteria:

1. Technical competency: Black Belts must train to become better at each Dan level. There must be distinct difference in grace, speed, fluidity of each technique among the individuals that hold different black belt Dan levels.

2. New Skill Assessment: Each Black Belt will be assigned skills and techniques which they must prefect by a specific date for their Dan Exam. This will require the individual to set a specific training routine, be self motivated and prepare themselves. Black belts who do not get in the necessary practice time to develop these skills on their own will not be promoted.

3. Time in Grade: Each Black Belt level has a distinct time in grade requirements. Association maintains a realistic time in grade requirements, that consists of actual training time not sitting time (please do not complain about how easy it is unless you have been training every single day for the past thirty years and know what your body goes through. When it comes to actually doing it, very few people even make it past the first five years). Following are the time in grade requirements at this time.

a. First Degree Black Belt - Up to Four Years continuous training time based on style, curriculum and mode of training.

b. Second Degree Black Belt - Depending on the progress at First Degree, one to three more years continuous training time.

c. Third Degree Black Belt - Depending on the progress at Second Degree, three to five more years continuous training time.

d. Fourth Degree Black Belt - Depending on the progress at Third Degree, five to seven more years continuous training time.

e. Fifth Degree Black Belt - Depending on the progress at Fourth Degree, seven to ten more years of continuous training time.

f. Sixth Degree Black Belt - Minimum 20 plus years training. Based on contribution to good of the mankind through martial arts as stated in sacred tenets.

g. Seventh Degree Black Belt - Range of minimum 25 to 30 plus years training. Based on contribution to good of the mankind through martial arts as stated in sacred tenets.

h. Eight and Ninth Degree Black Belt - Range of minimum 31 to 40 plus years of continuous training. Based on contribution to good of the mankind through martial arts as stated in sacred tenets. Eighth and Ninth Degree Black Belts are honorary levels.

i. Tenth Degree Black Belt - Honorary Level. Tenth Degree Black Belt is the top Administrative Level in a Martial Arts Organization or a Society similar to that of a CEO in a corporate structure. This position is assumed by a single individual from among the qualifying for 8th and 9th Degree Black Belt Organization Members, to establish a hierarchy within a martial arts Organizational Body of High Ranking Black Belts.

Testing requirements for 1st Dan black belt:

I. Blocking Techniques: high block, low block, outward middle block, inward middle, block, double knife block, double fist block, high X block, low X, block, middle block/low block combination, slap block, double low knife block, double high block, star block, scissors block, spread block, back hand block, ridge hand block, double side block, wedge block, crane stance leg block, middle block/low X block combination.

II. Striking Techniques: single punch, palm strike, double punch, elbow strike, spear hand strike, knife hand strike, hammerfist strike, back fist strike, inward knifehand strike, spinning back fist, cobra hand strike, double upper-cut punch, tiger-mouth strike, knee strike, phoenix-eye strike, rear elbow strike, side punch strike, wrist strike, double fist strike.

III. Kicking Techniques: front kick, side kick, round house kick, rear (back) kick, inside crescent, reverse crescent, back straight kick, hook kick, jumping front kick, jumping side kick, rear kick/front kick combination, spinning back roundhouse, spinning crescent, jumping roundhouse, ax kick, jump-spinning-back straight kick, flying side kick, jump-spinning-back hook kick, flying double side kick, jumping double front kick, lead leg front kick, lead leg roundhouse kick.

IV. Kata: Must exhibit mastery on moves 1 through 66. V. Escape Techniques: Must demonstrate proficiency in defending against the following types of attack: one

arm grab attack, frontal choke, rear choke, double lapel grab, punch to the face, “full nelson” grab, rear bear hug grab, frontal bear hug grab, tackle attack, shove to the chest, lying on back while being choked by the assailant, rear choke with the garotte, rear arm lock, leg sweep attack, “head-butt” attack, frontal gun, rear gun attack, two assailant attacks (one in front/one behind; then one on each side of the victim).

Dachi (stances)

Heisoku dachi: Toes & heels together, (closed foot stance), at "attention".

Musubi dachi: Heels together, & toes apart, (open foot stance) "knot" shape.

Heiko dachi: Feet apart, parallel (open, hip width).

Hachiji dachi: Feet apart, toes pointing OUT at 45 degrees (open, shoulder width).

Uchi-Hachiji dachi (Niafanchi Dachi): Feet apart, toes pointing IN at 45 degrees (open, shoulder width).

Shiko dachi: Straddle leg, "Sumo" stance.

Moto dachi: Front knee partially bent, forward stance (shorter than Zenkutsu dachi).

Zenkutsu dachi: Front knee bent, long forward stance.

Nekoashi dachi: "Cat foot" stance.

Sanchin dachi: Inward tension stance. ("Hour glass" stance.)

Kokutsu dachi: "Looking back" stance. ("Back stance".)

Renoji dachi: Stance resembling the letter "L".

'Tee'-ji dachi: Stance resembling the letter "T" upside down.

Kosa dachi: "Hooked leg" stance.

Sagiashi dachi: "Heron foot" stance (one-legged).

Ukiashi dachi: Stance resembling Nekoashi dachi, but more upright in a loose floating leg stance.

Uke-waza (blocking techniques)

Gedan barai uke (Hari uke): Low-level, downward block / sweeping block.

Yoko uke (Soto uke): Block from inside (centre of body), towards outside.

Yoko uchi (Uchi uke): Block from outside, towards inside (centre of body).

Age uke: Rising, upper-level block.

Yoko Bari uke: Side, sweeping block.

Uchi Otoshi uke: Circular, inside drop (downward pushing) block.

Tsuki uke: Simultaneous punching (forearm) block.

Te Kubi Sasae uke: Augmented (supported) wrist block.

Sukui uke: Scoop block.

Shuto uke: "Knife-hand" block.

Kosa uke: "X" block (wrists crossed).

Hijisasae uke: Augmented (inside-middle) elbow block.

Osae uke: Pressing down block.

Kakewake uke: Reverse-wedge block.

Nagashi uke: Cross-body open-hand flowing/sweeping block.

Shiuko uke (Haishu Uke): Open-hand, back-hand block.

Shotei uke (Teisho): Palm-heel block.

Uchi-waza (striking techniques)

Seiken tsuki: Fore fist, straight punch (for basic practice).

Oi tsuki: Lunge punch.

Gyaku tsuki: Reverse hand punch.

Furi tsuki: Circular/swinging (roundhouse) punch.

Age tsuki: Rising punch.

Kagi tsuki: Hook punch.

Mae Te tsuki: Lead-hand (forward hand) jab-punch.

Ura tsuki: Inverted (palm up), close punch.

Morote tsuki: U-shape punch.

Tate tsuki: Vertical fist punch.

Nihon tsuki: Double punch.

Shuto uchi: "Knife" (chopping) hand strike.

Ura uchi: Back fist punch.

Kentsui uchi: Bottom fist strike.

Shotei (Teisho) uchi: Palm-heel strike.

Haito uchi: Ridge-hand strike.

Haishu uchi: Open back-hand strike.

Hiji ate uchi: Elbow strike.

Koken uchi: Bent wrist-hand strike.

Keri-waza (kicking techniques)

Mae geri: Front (forward & return) kick.

Oi geri: Stepping (lunging forward) kick.

Yoko sokuto geri: Side (edge of foot) kick.

Mawashi geri: Roundhouse kick (to front).

Gyaku Mawashi geri: Reverse direction (inside) roundhouse kick.

Ura Mawashi geri: Back leg, hook kick to front (heel/ball of foot).

Ushiro geri: Straight-back (backward) kick.

Ushiro Mawashi geri: Spinning, back-roundhouse kick to front.

Mae-ashi geri: Forward leg, front kick.

Fumikomi geri: Stamping/thrusting kick.

Hiza geri: Knee cap kick.

Ushiro geri: Spinning-back, roundhouse kick.

Gyaku geri: Reverse (inside) roundhouse kick.

Mae-tobi geri: Front (jumping/flying) kick.

Yoko-tobi geri: Side (jumping/flying) kick.

Karate Kata

Kata is a Japanese word describing detailed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Karate Kata are executed as a specified series of a variety of moves, with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. The practitioner is counseled to visualize the enemy attacks and their responses. Karateka "read" a kata in order to explain the imagined events. There are perhaps 100 kata across the various forms of karate, each with many minor variations. Teaching

Traditionally, kata are taught in stages. Previously learned kata are repeated to show better technique or power as a student acquires knowledge and experience. It is common for students testing to repeat every kata they have learned but at an improved level of quality. The student will perform one new kata and one or two previous ones, to demonstrate how much they have progressed.

The various styles of karate study different kata, or variations of a common core. Some kata may therefore be known by two names, one in Japanese, the other in Okinawan/Chinese. This is because Gichin Funakoshi renamed many kata to help Karate spread throughout Japan. Kata performed in various styles

Some kata and/or styles are not included here, due but not limited to popularity and common usage for kata, and recognition (or not) of styles by the various governing bodies.

Kata Gōjū-ryū

Shitō-ryū

Shōrin-ryū

Shōtōkan-ryū

Shuri-ryū

Wadō-ryū

Isshin-ryū

Gensei-ryū

Kyokushin

kaikan

Tōon-ryū

Uechi-ryū

Ryukyu

Kempo

Shindo

Jinen

Ryu Ananku Yes Yes Annan Yes Yes Annanko Yes Aoyag (Seiryu) Yes Chatanyara Kushanku Yes Some Yes

Chinte Yes Some Yes Yes Chintō/Gankaku Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Dan Enn Sho Yes Empi Sho Yes Fukyugata/Gekisai/Shinsei Yes Yes Some Yes

Garyu Yes Go Pei Sho Yes Gojūshiho Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Hakucho Yes

Hakutsuru Some

Heiku Yes Jiin Yes Yes Yes

Jion Yes Yes Yes Yes Some Yes Yes Jitte Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Jyuroku Yes Yes Kanchin Yes Kanshiwa Yes Kanshu Yes Kururunfa Yes Yes Yes Kusanku/Kanku-dai Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Matsukaze Yes Naihanchi/Tekki Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Some Yes Nan Dan Sho Yes Nipaipo/Neipai Yes Yes Niseishi/Nijushiho Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Pachu Yes Paiku Yes Papuren Yes Passai/Bassai Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Some Yes Pinan/Heian Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Rōhai/Meikyo Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Ryuko Some Some Som

e

Saifā Yes Yes Yes Yes Sanchin Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Sansai Yes Sanseiru/Sanseru Yes Yes Yes Seichin Yes Seipai Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Seiryu Yes Yes Seisan/Hangetsu Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Seiyunchin/Seienchin Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Shimpa Yes Yes Shisōchin Yes Yes Yes Sōchin Yes Yes Yes Sunsu Yes Suparinpei/Pechurin/Hyaku Hachi Ho Yes Yes Yes Som

e Yes Yes

Taikyoku Some Yes Some Yes Yes Yes Yes

Tai Sabaki Yes Tensho Yes Yes Some Yes Yes

Ten No Kata Some Yes Tsuki no Kata Yes Unsu/Unshu Yes Yes Yes Wankan Yes Yes Yes Wanshu/Enpi Yes Some Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yantsu Yes KORYO