Rank Requirements 3rd Kyu-Shodan
Sankyu (3rd Kyu) Rank Requirements- Brown Belt
All Previous Rank Requirements, Plus:
Physical Fitness
Timed Run- 1/2 mile in 4 minutes
60 Sit-Ups
60 Push-Ups
Academic
Written Paper #1- 2 or more page double spaced typed paper on Power in the Martial Arts. Where does the power come from? How can it be controlled? What is “ki”?
Service
Candidates must have at least 10 hours of community service since Yonkyu.
Candidates must have at least 10 hours of teaching time since Yonkyu.
Candidates must have at least 40 hours of formal training time since Yonkyu.
Kata (Forms)
Heian Yondan (Peaceful Mind #4)
Kihon Waza (Basic Techniques)
Gyaku Mawashi Geri (Reverse Roundhouse Kick)
Kagi Tsuki (Hook Punch)
Gedan Uchi Barai (Outside Inside Downward Block), a/k/a Soto Gedan Barai
Te Nagashi Uke (Sweeping Hand Block)
Tobikonde Mae Geri (Jumping Front Kick)
Tate Tsuki (Vertical Punch)
Yama Tsuki (Wide U-Punch)
Haiwan Nagashi Uke (Sweeping Back Arm Block)
Ura Gyaku Mawashi Geri (Spinning Reverse Round House Kick)
Ura Ushiro Geri (Spinning Back Kick)
Nage Waza (Throwing Techniques)
Ura Nage (Rear Throw)
Shiho Nage (Four Corner Throw)
Tsuri Goshi (Pulling Hip Throw)
Yoko Otoshi (Side Body Drop Throw)
Hiki Taoshi (Front Arm Pull Down)
Ude Gaeshi Nage (Arm Locking Throw)
Osae Waza (Holding Techniques)
Kuzure Yoko Shiho Gatame (Modified Side Quarters Hold)
Kansetsu Waza (Joint Locking Techniques)
None
Sime Waza (Choking Techniques)
Nami Juji Jime (Normal Cross Strangle)
Renraku Waza (Combination/Continuation Techniques)*
* Unless otherwise noted, all renraku waza will be conducted from both zenkutsu dachi and kokutsu dachi.
Goshinjutsu Waza (Self-Defense Techniques)
Forward Punch- 8
Lapel Grab- 6
Same Side Wrist Grab- 6
Two Hands on One Wrist Grab- 6
Opposite Side Wrist Grab- 6
Double Wrist Grab- 6
Strike to Forehead- 6
Front Choke- 4
Rear Choke- 2
Front Bear Hug, Arms Free- 4
Front Bear Hug, Arms Trapped- 2
Knife Attack from front above- 2
Knife Thrust Attack from Front- 2
Kumite (Sparring)
Ippon (1-Step), Sanbon (3-Step), and Gohon (5-Step) Kumite
Zenkutsu Dachi-
Kokutsu Dachi-
Tameshiwari (Breaking)
2 Boards with Kentsui Uchi
2 Boards with Shuto Uchi
1 Board with Teisho Uchi
1 Board with Mawashi Empi Uchi
1 Board with Yoko Geri
1 Board with Mae Geri
1 Board with Otoshi Gyaku Tsuki
Nikyu (2nd Kyu) Rank Requirements- Brown Belt w/ 1 stripe
All Previous Rank Requirements, Plus:
Physical Fitness
Timed Run- 1/2 mile in 4 minutes
70 Sit-Ups
70 Push-Ups
Academic
Written Paper #1- 2 or more page double spaced typed paper on Christianity and Self-Defense. Is it okay for a Christian to defense themselves and/or others? Why or why not? Use both biblical and secular references, as well as original thought. Use examples.
Written Paper #2- 2 or more page double spaced typed paper on Self-Defense and the Law. When is it legal to defend oneself? Give specific legal references, justifications, and examples.
Service
Candidates must have at least 10 hours of community service since Sankyu.
Candidates must have at least 10 hours of teaching time since Sankyu.
Candidates must have at least 60 hours of formal training time since Sankyu.
Kata (Forms)
Heian Godan
Kihon Waza (Basic Techniques)
Kakato Gyaku Mawashi Geri (Heel Reverse Round House Kick), a/k/a Kagi Geri
(Hook Kick)
Ura Kakato Gyaku Mawashi Geri (Spinning Heel Reverse Round House Kick)
Ippon Ken Uchi (One-Knuckle Fist Strike)
Tobikonde Mawashi Geri (Jumping Round House Kick)
Tobikonde Yoko Geri (Jumping Side Kick)
Mawashi Tsuki (Round House Punch)
Kizami Tsuki (Jab Punch)
Sokutei Osae Uke (Pressing Foot Block)
Koken Uchi (Back of Wrist Strike)
Koken Uke (Back of Wrist Block)
Nage Waza (Throwing Techniques)
Koshi Guruma (Hip Wheel Throw)
Harai Tsuri Komi Ashi (Sweeping Lifting Pulling Foot Throw)
Ashi Guruma (Leg Wheel Throw)
Koshi Nage (Waist Throw)
Sode Tsuri Komi Goshi (Lifting Pulling Hip Throw)
Sasae Tsuri Komi Ashi (Propping Drawing Ankle Throw)
Ko Soto Gake (Minor Outside Dash Throw)
Kaiten Nage (Wheel Throw)
Osae Waza (Holding Techniques)
Kuzure Kesa Gatame (Modified Cross-Chest Hold)
Kansetsu Waza (Joint Locking Techniques)
Uchi Ude Gaeshi (Inward Elbow Twist Lock)
Juji Gatame (Cross Armlock)
Shime Waza (Choking Techniques)
Okuri Eri Jime (Sliding Lapel Choke)
Goshinjutsu Waza (Self-Defense Techniques)
Forward Punch- 8
Lapel Grab- 6
Same Side Wrist Grab- 6
Two Hands on One Wrist Grab- 6
Opposite Side Wrist Grab- 6
Double Wrist Grab- 6
Strike to Forehead- 6
Front Choke- 4
Rear Choke- 2
Front Bear Hug, Arms Free- 4
Front Bear Hug, Arms Trapped- 2
Knife Attack from front above- 2
Knife Thrust Attack from Front- 2
Tameshiwari (Breaking)
2 Boards with Kentsui Uchi
2 Boards with Shuto Uchi
1 Board with Teisho Uchi
1 Board with Mawashi Empi Uchi
2 Boards with Yoko Geri
1 Board with Mae Geri
2 Boards with Otoshi Gyaku Tsuki
Ikkyu (1st Kyu) Rank Requirements- Brown Belt w/ 2 stripes
All Previous Rank Requirements, Plus:
Physical Fitness
Timed Run- 3/4 mile in 6 minutes
80 Sit-Ups
80 Push-Ups
Academic
Written Paper #1- 5 or more page double spaced typed paper on the Five Element Theory of Martial Arts. Discuss in depth the Water Principle, how it applies to Karate-Do, and how can it be applied to everyday life. Be as specific and complete as possible, and use information provided by your research, your Sensei, as well as original thought.
Service
Candidates must have at least 10 hours of community service since Nikkyu.
Candidates must have at least 30 hours of teaching time since Nikkyu.
Candidates must have at least 80 hours of formal training time since Nikkyu.
Kata (Forms)
Tekki Shodan
Kihon Waza (Basic Techniques)
Haishu Uke (Back Hand Block)
Tate Shuto Uke (Vertical Knife Hand Block)
Morote Tsuki (Double Punch)
Haito Uke (Ridge Hand Block)
Seiryuto Uke (Ox-Jaw Hand Block)
Tobikonde Nidan Mae Geri (Jumping Double Front Kick)
Tobikonde Ura Gyaku Mawashi Geri (Jumping Spinning Reverse Round House Kick)
Tobikonde Ura Kakato Gyaku Mawashi Geri (Jumping Spinning Heel Reverse Round
House Kick)
Tobikonde Ura Ushiro Geri (Jumping Spinning Back Kick)
Nage Waza (Throwing Techniques)
Uki Otoshi (Floating Drop)
Uki Waza (Floating Throw)
Koshi Guruma (Waist Wheel Throw)
Harai Tsuri Komi Ashi (Lifting Pulling Foot Sweep)
Yoko Guruma (Side Wheel Throw)
Sukui Nage (Scooping Throw)
Hane Makikomi (Springing Winding Pulling Throw)
Tani Otoshi (Valley Drop)
Sumi Gaeshi (Corner Throw)
Sumi Otoshi (Corner Drop)
Osae Waza (Holding Techniques)
Kansetsu Waza (Joint Locking Techniques)
Hiza Gatame (Arm Knee Lock)
Juji Gatame (Cross Arm Lock)
Ashi Garami (Entangled Arm Lock)
Ude Hara Gatame (Stomach Arm Lock)
Shime Waza (Choking Techniques)
Kata Ha Jime (Single Wing Choke)
Okuri Eri Jime (Sliding Lapel Lock)
Ryote Jime (Two-Handed Neck Lock)
Goshinjutsu Waza (Self-Defense Techniques)
Forward Punch- 8
Lapel Grab- 6
Same Side Wrist Grab- 6
Two Hands on One Wrist Grab- 6
Opposite Side Wrist Grab- 6
Double Wrist Grab- 6
Strike to Forehead- 6
Front Choke- 4
Rear Choke- 2
Front Bear Hug, Arms Free- 4
Front Bear Hug, Arms Trapped- 2
Knife Attack from front above- 2
Knife Thrust Attack from Front- 2
Kumite (Sparring)
Candidates must perform jyu kumite against three opponents.
Ippon (1-Step), Sanbon (3-Step), and Gohon (5-Step) Kumite
Zenkutsu Dachi-
Kokutsu Dachi-
Tameshiwari (Breaking)
3 Boards with Kentsui Uchi
3 Boards with Shuto Uchi
1 Board with Teisho Uchi
1 Board with Mawashi Empi Uchi
2 Boards with Yoko Geri
1 Board with Mae Geri
3 Boards with Otoshi Gyaku Tsuki
Shodan (1st Dan) Rank Requirements- Black Belt
All Previous Rank Requirements, Plus:
Secret Test
Candidates will be tested in an unknown fashion at some time before being formally examined for Shodan. The passing or failing of this secret test will determine whether or not the candidate will be allowed to be formally examined for Shodan.
Physical Fitness
Timed Run- 1 mile in 8 minutes
100 Sit-Ups
100 Push-Ups
Academic
Written Paper #1- 2 or more page double spaced typed paper on your martial arts journey, to include how you started, what you have studied, what you consider to be your greatest accomplishments in the martial arts, future goals, and what you plan to give back to Tenshin Shoden Ryu Karate-Do.
Written Paper #2 – 25 or more page double spaced typed paper on the history of the martial arts, to include general history until introduction to Japan and then specific historical information regarding the Japanese-style martial arts, including introduction of the arts to the United States and leading up to Tenshin Shoden Ryu Karate-Do. Include as many aspects as possible (physical, mental, spiritual, religious, etc.). Include specific information about people who have played major historical roles in Kobudo, Karate-Do, Judo, Aikido, Jujutsu, and Aiki-Jujutsu as practiced today. Include information about both Koryo and modern arts.
Service
Candidates must have at least 20 hours of community service since Ikkyu.
Candidates must have at least 100 hours of teaching time since Ikkyu.
Candidates must have at least 120 hours of formal training time since Ikkyu.
Kata (Forms)
Nage No Kata
Empi
Hangetsu
Bassai Dai
Tai Chi Short Form
Goshinjutsu Waza (Self-Defense Techniques)
Forward Punch- 10
Lapel Grab- 10
Same Side Wrist Grab- 10
Two Hands on One Wrist Grab- 10
Opposite Side Wrist Grab- 10
Double Wrist Grab- 10
Strike to Forehead- 10
Front Choke- 10
Rear Choke- 6
Front Bear Hug, Arms Free- 6
Front Bear Hug, Arms Trapped- 4
Rear Bear Hug, Arms Free- 4
Rear Bear Hug, Arms Trapped, 2
Knife Attack from front above- 6
Knife Thrust Attack from Front- 8
Tameshiwari (Breaking)* (all techniques must be performed on both sides)
4 Boards with Kentsui Uchi
4 Boards with Shuto Uchi
4 Boards with Teisho Uchi
4 Boards with Otoshi Empi Uchi
1 Board with Mawashi Empi Uchi
2 Boards with Yoko Geri
2 Boards with Mae Geri
4 Boards with Otoshi Gyaku Tsuki
1 Board with Tobikonde Mae Geri
1 Board with Tobikonde Ura Ushiro Geri
1 Board with Tobikonde Yoko Geri
1 concrete block with Teisho Uchi
* More than 2 boards will always require spacers
Kumite
Candidates will be receive a Level 1 OC contamination and must perform jiyu kumite against 4 opponents in Red Man suits.
Weapons Qualifications
Handgun
Rifle
Shotgun
Bow and Arrow
Shaken/Shuriken
Terminology
All Japanese terms for the techniques required at this level and previous levels, plus:
Students must successfully complete and pass an exam based on the Pimsleur’s Japanese Level One Language Course