Makotokai

TABLES OF GRADES

 KYU                    PRACTICE TIME                   BELT

• Beginner                     4 Months                White (RED)

• 6th Kyu                        4 Months               White  Kyu

• 5th Kyu                        4 Months               Yellow

• 4th Kyu                        4 Months               Orange

• 3rd Yku                        4 Months               Green

• 2nd Kyu                       4 Months               Blue

• 1st Kyu                        6 Months               Brown

• 1st Dan                       18 / 24 Months       Black

The Practice Times are based on a Karateka training at least two hours - two or three times a week (minimum 4hrs/week) The periods shown above is the time that must elapse between one grade and the next grade. The period of time shown is the minimum time that can elapse before the Karateka can apply for the next Grading. However grading for each student must take in to consideration and dependent his or her own ability and effort. Accordingly examiners may therefore award an appropriate Kyu grade depending on the level of skill demonstrated by a student at the time of the examination.

 General Example

To apply for yellow belt the Karateka will have practised for at least 4 months and have obtained his/her white belt. To apply for green belt the Karateka will have practised at least 20 months and have obtained his/her orange belt.

 Junior Grades
Junior members, training only 1 to 2 hours per week can be awarded up to three “flashes” or “tags” to their belt to signify their advancement between Ku grades. This will take recognition of the junior student’s advancement accounting for the reduced training periods. However junior students, depending on their application and advancement, can still be graded on their ability comparative to the senior time scales. Accordingly each student must be examined on his or her own ability and effort.

GRADING REQUISITE

 6TH KYU

 BLOCKS
Basic movements and execution of Low, middle and High Blocks (Gedan Barai, Ude-Uke, Age-Uke ).

STRIKES
Both Oi-zuki and Gyaku--zuki . 

KICKS
 Mae-Geri, Fumi-komi and Kekomi (Gedan & Chu-dan levels)

STANCE
 Must be familiar with Zenkutsu-Dashi, Kokutsu-dachi and Kiba-Dachi. The student must also be aware of Do-Jo etiquette

KATAS
 Taikyoku Shodan, Nidan.

5th KYU

BLOCKS
Must first demonstrate competency in the previous grading requirements. Basic understanding of Uchi-comi (Uchi-uke), Shoto-Uke.

STRIKES
Both Oi-zuki and Gyaku--zuki .+
Be familiar with Uraken (Back fist) and Nukite (or shuto [sword hand])

KICKS
Mae-Geri, Fumi-komi and Kekomi (Gedan & Chu-dan levels) +
Mae-Geri, Fumi-komi and Ke-komi (Jo-dan level) Mawashi-Geri, Kekomi

STANCES
 Must be familiar with Zenkutsu-Dashi, Kokutsu-dachi and Kiba-Dachi. The student must also be aware of Do-Jo etiquette  +

 Must be confident in Zenkutsu-Dashi, Kokutsu-dachi and Kiba-Dachi postures and be familiar with Fudo-dachi. Must be Familiar with Hito-e-mi (making body small) and Irimi. Introduction of the Sen principle "Sen-No-Sen"

STICK/SWORD
Familiar with Basic Suburi with Ken and Jo.

KATAS
All previous Katas and including Taikyoku Sandan, Heian Shodan.

4th KYU

BLOCKS
Must first demonstrate competency in the previous grading requirements. Basic understanding of Teisho-barai and Tettsui-uchi.

STRIKES
Improvement of previous grades. Learn Nukite and Empi

KICKS
Improvement of Technique, and understanding of centre while performing kicking strikes from previous gradings. Ashi-bari Ushiro-geri (sweeping foot) and Ushiro-geri (back kick)

STANCES
Must be confident in all stances from previous grades. Demonstrate improvement of Centre, movement from posture and of Hito-e-mi (making body small) and Irimi Demonstrate principle of Sen-no-Sen. Be familiar with the Principle of "Sen-Sen-no-Sen". Be familiar with Zanshin.

STICK/SWORD
Improvement of Basic Suburi with Ken and Jo. Know first 5 suburi

KATAS
All previous Katas plus Heian Nidan and Heian Sandan.

3rd KYU

BLOCKS
Must first demonstrate competency in the previous grading requirements.Basic understanding of Kakae-te (Trapping Block) and Kakiwake (opening block).

STRIKES
Improvement of previous grades. Be familiar with Ippon-Ken (one finger fist)

KICKS
Improvement of Technique, and understanding of centre while performing kicking strikes from previous gradings. Emphasis of Centre, direction and execution.

STANCES
Must be confident in all stances from previous grades. Demonstrate improvement of Centre and posture. Improvement of Hito-e-mi (making body small) and Irimi with demonstration of Ura and Omote in Irimi. Demonstrate principles of "Sen" . Demonstrate an understanding of Zanshin.

STICK/SWORD
Improvement of Basic Suburi with Ken and Jo. Know all seven suburi and first 4 with partner. Demonstrate 13 movement Kata with Jo.

KATAS
All previous Katas plus Heian Yodan and Heian Godan.

2nd KYU

BLOCKS
Must first demonstrate competency in the previous grading requirements.
Projection and Ki to be demonstrated throughout blocking techniques. Concentration on centre of opponent.
 

STRIKES
Improvement of previous grades. Be familiar with Hiraken  (flat fist)

KICKS
Improvement of Technique, and understanding of centre while performing kicking strikes from Previous gradings. Emphasis of Centre, direction and execution. Be familiar with Mikazuki-geri (crescent -moon kick) 

STANCES
Must be confident in all stances from previous grades. Demonstrate improvement of Centre and posture.  Improvement of Hito-e-mi (making body small) and Irimi with demonstration of Ura and Omote in relation to Irimi. Demonstrate all principles of "Sen" (timing) . Demonstrate good understanding of Zanshin.

STICK/SWORD
Improvement of all previous movements with Ken and Jo. Demonstrate free flowing movements. Be familiar with the basic movements of the 31 Jo Kata

KATAS
All previous Katas plus Bassai-Dai.

Ist KYU

BLOCKS
Must first demonstrate competency in the previous grading requirements. Projection an Ki to be demonstrated throughout the blocking techniques. Own Body-weight and centre must not be influenced when executing blocks

STRIKES
Improvement of previous grades. Be familiar with Nihon-zuki and Ippon-zuki (two and One finger thrust) 

KICKS
Improvement of Technique, and understanding of centre while performing kicking strikes from Previous gradings. Emphasis of Centre, direction and execution. Be familiar with Nami-geashi (returning wave)

STANCES
Must be confident in all stances from previous grades. Demonstrate improvement of Centre and posture.  Must demonstrate good centre when moving from one posture through to the next and especially in movements involving hito-e-mi and Irimi.

STICK/SWORD
Improvement of Basic Suburi with Ken and Jo. Demonstrate good free flowing movements and 31 Jo Kata.

KATAS
All previous katas plus Tekki Shodan and Tekki Nidan.

1st Dan

 BLOCKS
Must first demonstrate competency in the previous grading requirements. Projection and Ki to be demonstrated throughout the blocking techniques with no loss of centre.

STRIKES
Improvement of previous grades and demonstrate all closed and open handed fists. Have good knowledge of all strike areas. Ki and projection to be demonstrated throughout punching and striking techniques.

KICKS
Improvement of Technique, and understanding of centre while performing kicking strikes from previous gradings. Emphasis of Centre, direction and execution.

STANCES
Must be confident in all stances from previous grades. Demonstrate improvement of Centre and posture. Must demonstrate good centre when moving from one posture through to the next . High emphasis on Irimi and Hito-e-mi

 STICK/SWORD
Demonstrate good free flowing movements and 31 Jo Kata.

KATAS
All previous katas plus Hangetsu.