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Testing Requirements

The Kokikai grading syllabus from 6th to 1st Kyu. Every rank shares the same basic principles and Ki tests; each one adds techniques and a minimum time on the mat.

Download the full requirements (PDF) →

New to the belt system? How kyu and dan ranks work →

For every rank

Basic principles

  • Keep One Point
  • Relax Progressively
  • Correct Posture
  • Positive Mind

Ki tests

  • Seiza with mind/body coordination
  • Standing posture with mind/body coordination
  • Unbendable arm with mind/body coordination
  • Ushiro ukemi with mind/body coordination
  • Any Ki exercise — testing stability
  • Sitting cross-legged (agura) and being pushed from behind

Be prepared to present your passbook; promotions are recorded by the instructor.

6th Kyu

Minimum: 2 months / 16 practice hours

Techniques

  • Katate-tori shiho nage (irimi)
  • Katate kosa-dori kokyu nage (cross-hand grab)
  • Kao-tsuki kotegaeshi (face punch)
  • Ushiro kubishime kokyu-nage

5th Kyu

Minimum: 3 months / 26 practice hours

Techniques

  • All previous techniques
  • Kata-tori ikkyo irimi (static)
  • Mune-tsuki kotegaeshi (chest punch)
  • Yokomen-uchi shiho nage (irimi)
  • Shomen-uchi kokyu nage
  • Ukemi exercise

4th Kyu

Minimum: 5 months / 44 practice hours Freestyle: 1 uke

Techniques

  • All previous techniques
  • Kata-tori nikkyo (static)
  • Mune-tori kokyu-nage (chest grab pull)
  • Yokomen-uchi kokyu nage
  • Mae-geri (front kick) kokyu nage

3rd Kyu

Minimum: 7 months / 62 practice hours Freestyle: 2 ukes

Techniques

  • All previous techniques
  • Mune-tsuki kokyu nage (chest punch, short distance)
  • Ushiro kubishime sankyo
  • Ushiro tekubi-tori kokyu nage (large forward ukemi; both wrists grabbed from behind)
  • Mune-tsuki kaiten nage (chest punch)
  • Mawashi-geri (roundhouse kick) kokyu nage

2nd Kyu

Minimum: 9 months / 72 practice hours Freestyle: 3 ukes

Techniques

  • All previous techniques
  • Anything against shomen-uchi, yokomen-uchi, tsuki (kao/mune), or ushiro tekubi-tori
  • Any technique against keri (kicks)

1st Kyu

Minimum: 10 months / 88 practice hours Freestyle: 4 ukes

Techniques

  • All previous techniques
  • Anything against shomen-uchi, yokomen-uchi, tsuki (kao/mune), keri, mune-tori (one arm), ushiro kata-tori / hiji-tori / tekubi-tori, or katate ryote-tori (two hands on one wrist)
  • Any technique against keri (kicks)