Rank Requirements
Kokusai Shotokan Rengokai
Our Kyu and Dan ranking manual brings together kata, kihon, kumite, and grading eligibility in one place. Use it to prepare for class and discuss your next grading with Renshi Victor Carson.
Open manual in a new tab · Download PDF
Read the 14-page manual below, or download it for printing. The PDF includes searchable text, rank navigation links, and bookmarks.
Kata video pathways
Select an underlined kata name to watch the demonstration on YouTube. Videos open in a new tab.
Kyu rank pathway
| Rank | Belt | Kata |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Kyu | White | None |
| 8th Kyu | Yellow | Heian Shodan |
| 7th Kyu | Green | Heian Nidan |
| 6th Kyu | Green | Heian Sandan |
| 5th Kyu | Purple | Heian Yondan |
| 4th Kyu | Purple | Heian Godan |
| 3rd Kyu | Brown | Tekki Shodan |
| 2nd Kyu | Brown | Bassai-dai & Kanku-dai |
| 1st Kyu | Brown | Enpi & Jion + either Kanku-dai or Bassai-dai |
Dan rank pathway
| Rank | Kata / examination | Age & time requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Dan | Jitte + either Jion or Enpi | 16 years old; minimum age / 3 years training |
| 2nd Dan | Hangetsu, Tekki Nidan, Bassai-sho, Gankaku, Kanku-sho | 18 years old; minimum age / 2 years past Shodan |
| 3rd Dan | Sochin, Tekki Sandan, Chinte, Ji’in, Nijushiho | 20 years old; 2 years past Nidan |
| 4th Dan | Meikyo, Unsu, Wankan | 25 years old; 5 years past Sandan |
| 5th Dan | Gojushiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho; one 4th Dan kata | 30 years old; 5 years past Yondan |
| 6th Dan | - | 35 years old; 5 years past Godan |
| 7th Dan | - | 40 years old; 5 years past Rokudan |
| 8th Dan | - | 50 years old; 10 years past Nanadan |
| 9th Dan | - | 60 years old; 10 years past Hachidan |
| 10th Dan | - | 70 years old; 10 years past Kudan |
Video sources: ShotokanKataman; Gojushiho Dai and Sho by Shotokan Karate Academy.
Questions about grading?
Ask your instructor which requirements apply to your rank and when you are ready to test.