Karate (each level is required to demonstrate the requirements of each previous level including kata and bunkai)

6^th kyu:

• Basic blocks, kicks and strikes
• Basic vocabulary
• Kata: sanchin ichi

5^th kyu:

• All of the above and
• Shiho uke
• Kata: gekisai dai ichi with bunkai

4^th kyu:

• All of the above and
• Basic kihon tai sabaki
• Ippon kumite (one step sparring)
• Kata: gekisai dai ni with bunkai, saifa with bunkai

3^rd kyu:

• All of the above and
• San bon kumite (3 step sparring)
• Jiyu kumite (free sparring)
• Kata: sanchin ni, seiyunchin with bunkai

Additional information and spelling corrections will be added as needed!

2nd kyu:

      Alll of the above and

      Basic knowledge of the major ryu of karateDo(Goju, Shotokan, Shorin, Uechi, Wado)

      Jiyu Kumite(free sparring) for five minutes

      Kata Performance -  Any of the Kata from previous ranks may be given to perform but a minimum of two   bunkai of one of those

1st kyu

     Performance and Bunkai of two Yudansha level Kata assigned to the student according to natural body movement observed during training, body size, and other factors.  The student's performance of these Kata will be considered evaluated appropriate to level of experience.  The student should understand that these two Kata are theirs to gain a deeper knowledge of by drilling the movements and bunkai often.  We advise videotaping your test at this level or asking the dojo to do that.  Further ranking will require a much higher level of proficiency demonstrating these two Kata.

    Basic knowledge of Okinawan Kobudo and of two Okinawan weapons(bo, sai, tonfa, kama, nunchaku, eikubo) by demonstrating simple weapon manipulation, basics, and historical knowledge of each.

    Verbal presentation of  historical information regarding Karatedo.  The student may use the dojo collection as reference material(books, videos) but permission is needed from the dojo manager for any material leaving the dojo.  Both the student and dojo manager will be responsible for any material not returned.

    Jiyu Kumite(three two minute sessions) with three different people.  Good control required by both.  Combinations expected with focal points of tsuki, geri, or uchi being the scoring areas of torso or head.  Please remember the face is not considered the head in jiyu kumite , at this level, at our school.

SHODAN

   In today's martial arts world it seems that this rank(the oft used phrase"black belt") has lost most of its original meaning.  To the Chief Instructor at the White River Budokan it means, simply but significantly, that the student has demonstrated a dedication to following the same path as other yudansha(holders of the rank shodan and above) that are still considered ahead on that path as guides.  A suggestion is made that there is an innocence that accompanies this rank which seems to be the important ingredient to help stay on the "right" path.  It is the belief, here, that the goal in traditional training, is to keep that innocence while becoming aware of life's realities.  This rank means that, as a true student of martial arts, you will learn from family, loved ones, instructors, mistakes, successes and experience and become an even better person.  Please don't forget that anyone can wear a "black belt" but becoming one is special.  REMAINING one is especially challenging and sometimes difficult.  If you achieve this rank here   we welcome you to our elite group. 

The physical expectations for this rank are the requirements listed above.   The student testing for Shodan will be required to present any and all of those requested during the test.  Anything presented, physically,  will require Shodan level control, focus, balance, skill, and power.  The student will be expected to carry themselves as a Yudansha in the months prior to the formal test.  This process will begin by receiving the word from the Chief Instructor who will be observing the student during training and evaluating him/her as a pending Yudansha.  Students are free to say no to this process.  Students need to know that having "thin skin" is no consideration during this process.