• For those who enroll in the Traditional Shotokan Karate program
Shotokan belt test structure
While some things have changed since Sensei Deddy Mansyur received his black belt in Indonesia, tradition still remains.
Sensei Mansyur -- "Earning my Shodan (first degree black belt) in 1976 proved to be a very tough exam. There were 150 first Kyu brown belt, including myself, from all over Indonesia who were vying for their chance to take the Shodan examination at that same time. These were the days when black belt tests actually lasted days, not minutes.
Prior to the day of the exam, we boarded a train to a military base far outside the city of Jakarta for our 6 day examination. Each morning, we were lined up by 6 a.m. and trained until 5 p.m. Training included a 5 mile run, hundreds of Kihon technique repetitions. Once we were done with structure Kihon, we moved on to our Kata training and then Kumite. During Kumite drills (sparring), there was no such thing as gloves or head gear - just good old fashion bare knuckle sparring. Any complaints, and you were out of the examination until the following year. Blood? Bruises? Hurt finger? No big deal. This was true Bushido (Samurai spirit) training. Before we went to sleep each day, we were given several lectures on karate-do."
Houston Shotokan
Sensei Mansyur -- "Earning my Shodan (first degree black belt) in 1976 proved to be a very tough exam. There were 150 first Kyu brown belt, including myself, from all over Indonesia who were vying for their chance to take the Shodan examination at that same time. These were the days when black belt tests actually lasted days, not minutes.
Prior to the day of the exam, we boarded a train to a military base far outside the city of Jakarta for our 6 day examination. Each morning, we were lined up by 6 a.m. and trained until 5 p.m. Training included a 5 mile run, hundreds of Kihon technique repetitions. Once we were done with structure Kihon, we moved on to our Kata training and then Kumite. During Kumite drills (sparring), there was no such thing as gloves or head gear - just good old fashion bare knuckle sparring. Any complaints, and you were out of the examination until the following year. Blood? Bruises? Hurt finger? No big deal. This was true Bushido (Samurai spirit) training. Before we went to sleep each day, we were given several lectures on karate-do."
Houston Shotokan
** Students looking for restructure, and who have no prior formal Shotokan training, will be taught in accordance to the Kyu requirements to ensure their ability to properly (and safely) perform more advance techniques.
9th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From White (10th) to White with Yellow Stripe (9th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
CHUDAN JUN ZUKI (OI ZUKI)
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
KYU NO KATA:
TAIKYOKU SHODAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
GOHON KUMITE (HIDARI - LEFT SIDE ONLY)
JODAN
CHUDAN
8th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From White with Yellow Stripe (9th) to Yellow (8th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
CHUDAN JUN ZUKI (OI ZUKI)
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN SHODAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
GOHON KUMITE (HIDARI & MIGI)
JODAN
CHUDAN
MAE GERI
7th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Yellow (8th) to Orange (7th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
JODAN JUN ZUKI (OI ZUKI)
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
MAWASHI GERI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN NIDAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
SANBON KUMITE NO. 1 AND NO. 2 (HIDARI)
6th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Orange (7th) to Green (6th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
JODAN JUN ZUKI (OI ZUKI)
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
MAWASHI GERI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN SANDAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
SANBON KUMITE NO.1 AND NO.2 (HIDARI & MIGI)
5th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Green (6th) to Blue (5th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
SANBON ZUKI (JUN ZUKI): JODAN – CHUDAN – CHUDAN
SANBON ZUKI (GYAKU ZUKI): CHUDAN - JODAN – CHUDAN
JODAN AGE UKE – GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE (ZENKUTSU DACHI) –
ENPI UCHI – URAKEN UCHI (KIBA DACHI)
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE – JODAN KIZAMI ZUKI –
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE (KOKUTSU DACHI) AND
NUKITE (ZENKUTSU DACHI)
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI – REN GERI (CHUDAN – JODAN)
MAWASHI GERI – REN GERI (CHUDAN – JODAN)
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN YONDAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
KIHON NO KUMITE
KIHON IPPON KUMITE:
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 2 MAE GERI
4th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Blue (5th) to Purple (4th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
SANBON ZUKI (JUN ZUKI): JODAN – CHUDAN – CHUDAN
SANBON ZUKI (GYAKU ZUKI): CHUDAN - JODAN – CHUDAN
JODAN AGE UKE – GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE (ZENKUTSU DACHI) –
ENPI UCHI – URAKEN UCHI (KIBA DACHI)
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE – JODAN KIZAMI ZUKI –
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE (KOKUTSU DACHI) AND
NUKITE (ZENKUTSU DACHI)
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI – REN GERI (CHUDAN – JODAN)
MAWASHI GERI – REN GERI (CHUDAN – JODAN)
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN GODAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
KIHON NO KUMITE
KIHON IPPON KUMITE:
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 1 MAE GERI – 1 YOKO GERI –
1 MAWASHI GERI (HIDARI)
3rd KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Purple (4th) to Brown (3rd)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
JODAN JUN ZUKI
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
MAWASHI GERI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
USHIRO GERI
KYU NO KATA:
TEKKI SHODAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
KIHON IPPON KUMITE
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 2 MAE GERI – 1 YOKO KEKOMI –
1 MAWASHI GERI (HIDARI & MIGI)
2nd KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Brown (3rd) to Brown (2nd)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
CHUDAN JUN ZUKI
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
USHIRO GERI
FROM ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
MAE GERI – JUN ZUKI
MAWASHI GERI – GYAKU ZUKI
GYAKU ZUKI – MAE GERI – JUN ZUKI – GEDAN BARAI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE – YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
TEKKI SHODAN
SENTEI: BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, JION, ENPI (student’s choice)
KYU NO KUMITE:
JIYU IPPON KUMITE
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 2 MAE GERI – 1 YOKO KEKOMI –
1 MAWASHI GERI (HIDARI)
1st KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Brown (2nd) to Brown (1st)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
CHUDAN JUN ZUKI
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
USHIRO GERI
FROM ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
MAE GERI – JUN ZUKI
MAWASHI GERI – GYAKU ZUKI
GYAKU ZUKI – MAE GERI – JUN ZUKI – GEDAN BARAI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE – YOKO KEKOMI
KIME WAZA – GYAKU ZUKI
KYU NO KATA:
TEKKI SHODAN
SENTEI: BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, JION, ENPI (student’s choice)
KYU NO KUMITE:
JIYU IPPON KUMITE
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 2 MAE GERI – 1 YOKO KEKOMI –
1 MAWASHI GERI (HIDARI & MIGI)
SHODAN REQUIREMENTS:
From Brown (1st) to Solid Black (Shodan)
DAN NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
SANBON ZUKI: JUN ZUKI (JODAN – CHUDAN – CHUDAN)
SANBON ZUKI: GYAKU ZUKI (CHUDAN – JODAN – CHUDAN)
AGE UKE – GEDAN BARAI – GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE (ZENKUTSU DACHI) – ENPI – URAKEN UCHI (KIBA DACHI) – CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI (ZENKUTSU DACHI)
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE – KIZAMI ZUKI – MAE GERI – CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
SHUTO UKE – KIZAMI GERI – NUKITE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI (COMBINATIONS)
5 MAE GERI – MAWASHI GERI – GYAKU ZUKI – GEDAN BARAI
5 MAE GERI – YOKO KEKOMI – GYAKU ZUKI – GEDAN BARAI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE – YOKO KEKOMI
KIME WAZA – GYAKU ZUKI
DAN NO KATA:
1 SHITEI: HEIAN SHODAN to TEKKI SHODAN (examiner’s choice)
1 SENTEI: BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, ENPI, JION, JITTE (student’s choice)
DAN NO KUMITE:
JIYU IPPON KUMITE (HIDARI & MIGI)
· JODAN JUN ZUKI
· CHUDAN JUN ZUKI
· MAE GERI
· YOKO GERI
· JODAN MAWASHI GERI
· USHIRO GERI
· JODAN KIZAMI ZUKI
· CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
9th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From White (10th) to White with Yellow Stripe (9th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
CHUDAN JUN ZUKI (OI ZUKI)
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
KYU NO KATA:
TAIKYOKU SHODAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
GOHON KUMITE (HIDARI - LEFT SIDE ONLY)
JODAN
CHUDAN
8th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From White with Yellow Stripe (9th) to Yellow (8th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
CHUDAN JUN ZUKI (OI ZUKI)
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN SHODAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
GOHON KUMITE (HIDARI & MIGI)
JODAN
CHUDAN
MAE GERI
7th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Yellow (8th) to Orange (7th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
JODAN JUN ZUKI (OI ZUKI)
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
MAWASHI GERI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN NIDAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
SANBON KUMITE NO. 1 AND NO. 2 (HIDARI)
6th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Orange (7th) to Green (6th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
JODAN JUN ZUKI (OI ZUKI)
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE - GYAKU ZUKI
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
MAWASHI GERI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN SANDAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
SANBON KUMITE NO.1 AND NO.2 (HIDARI & MIGI)
5th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Green (6th) to Blue (5th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
SANBON ZUKI (JUN ZUKI): JODAN – CHUDAN – CHUDAN
SANBON ZUKI (GYAKU ZUKI): CHUDAN - JODAN – CHUDAN
JODAN AGE UKE – GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE (ZENKUTSU DACHI) –
ENPI UCHI – URAKEN UCHI (KIBA DACHI)
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE – JODAN KIZAMI ZUKI –
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE (KOKUTSU DACHI) AND
NUKITE (ZENKUTSU DACHI)
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI – REN GERI (CHUDAN – JODAN)
MAWASHI GERI – REN GERI (CHUDAN – JODAN)
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN YONDAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
KIHON NO KUMITE
KIHON IPPON KUMITE:
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 2 MAE GERI
4th KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Blue (5th) to Purple (4th)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
SANBON ZUKI (JUN ZUKI): JODAN – CHUDAN – CHUDAN
SANBON ZUKI (GYAKU ZUKI): CHUDAN - JODAN – CHUDAN
JODAN AGE UKE – GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE (ZENKUTSU DACHI) –
ENPI UCHI – URAKEN UCHI (KIBA DACHI)
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE – JODAN KIZAMI ZUKI –
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE (KOKUTSU DACHI) AND
NUKITE (ZENKUTSU DACHI)
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI – REN GERI (CHUDAN – JODAN)
MAWASHI GERI – REN GERI (CHUDAN – JODAN)
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
HEIAN GODAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
KIHON NO KUMITE
KIHON IPPON KUMITE:
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 1 MAE GERI – 1 YOKO GERI –
1 MAWASHI GERI (HIDARI)
3rd KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Purple (4th) to Brown (3rd)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
JODAN JUN ZUKI
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
MAE GERI
MAWASHI GERI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE
YOKO KEKOMI
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
USHIRO GERI
KYU NO KATA:
TEKKI SHODAN
KYU NO KUMITE:
KIHON IPPON KUMITE
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 2 MAE GERI – 1 YOKO KEKOMI –
1 MAWASHI GERI (HIDARI & MIGI)
2nd KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Brown (3rd) to Brown (2nd)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
CHUDAN JUN ZUKI
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
USHIRO GERI
FROM ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
MAE GERI – JUN ZUKI
MAWASHI GERI – GYAKU ZUKI
GYAKU ZUKI – MAE GERI – JUN ZUKI – GEDAN BARAI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE – YOKO KEKOMI
KYU NO KATA:
TEKKI SHODAN
SENTEI: BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, JION, ENPI (student’s choice)
KYU NO KUMITE:
JIYU IPPON KUMITE
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 2 MAE GERI – 1 YOKO KEKOMI –
1 MAWASHI GERI (HIDARI)
1st KYU REQUIREMENTS: From Brown (2nd) to Brown (1st)
KYU NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
CHUDAN JUN ZUKI
CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
JODAN AGE UKE
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE
KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
CHUDAN SHUTO UKE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE
USHIRO GERI
FROM ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
MAE GERI – JUN ZUKI
MAWASHI GERI – GYAKU ZUKI
GYAKU ZUKI – MAE GERI – JUN ZUKI – GEDAN BARAI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE – YOKO KEKOMI
KIME WAZA – GYAKU ZUKI
KYU NO KATA:
TEKKI SHODAN
SENTEI: BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, JION, ENPI (student’s choice)
KYU NO KUMITE:
JIYU IPPON KUMITE
2 JODAN – 2 CHUDAN – 2 MAE GERI – 1 YOKO KEKOMI –
1 MAWASHI GERI (HIDARI & MIGI)
SHODAN REQUIREMENTS:
From Brown (1st) to Solid Black (Shodan)
DAN NO KIHON:
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI
SANBON ZUKI: JUN ZUKI (JODAN – CHUDAN – CHUDAN)
SANBON ZUKI: GYAKU ZUKI (CHUDAN – JODAN – CHUDAN)
AGE UKE – GEDAN BARAI – GYAKU ZUKI
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE (ZENKUTSU DACHI) – ENPI – URAKEN UCHI (KIBA DACHI) – CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI (ZENKUTSU DACHI)
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE – KIZAMI ZUKI – MAE GERI – CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
SHUTO UKE – KIZAMI GERI – NUKITE
ZENKUTSU DACHI GEDAN BARAI (COMBINATIONS)
5 MAE GERI – MAWASHI GERI – GYAKU ZUKI – GEDAN BARAI
5 MAE GERI – YOKO KEKOMI – GYAKU ZUKI – GEDAN BARAI
KIBA DACHI GAMAE
YOKO KEAGE – YOKO KEKOMI
KIME WAZA – GYAKU ZUKI
DAN NO KATA:
1 SHITEI: HEIAN SHODAN to TEKKI SHODAN (examiner’s choice)
1 SENTEI: BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, ENPI, JION, JITTE (student’s choice)
DAN NO KUMITE:
JIYU IPPON KUMITE (HIDARI & MIGI)
· JODAN JUN ZUKI
· CHUDAN JUN ZUKI
· MAE GERI
· YOKO GERI
· JODAN MAWASHI GERI
· USHIRO GERI
· JODAN KIZAMI ZUKI
· CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI
