Here you will find all of the information that you will need to prepare you for your grading. This information includes your theory and your practical test. I hope this information helps in giving you a better understanding about Kyokushin Karate and also in giving you a better understanding of your requirements. At the same time it will help you to study and prepare for your upcoming test.  This requirements page shows you the Kihon (Basics) techniques that you need to study for your technical improvement on the road to a new grade.  This guide will be very helpful to you but you will need the assistance of your teacher to teach you the tempo of the technique as also discipline and good manners.

 

MEANING OF THE BELT

Below you will find a possible interpretation of the symbolism of the belt colors. I hope this will give a further understanding of the meaning of the Obi (belts) colors. Belt colors are not only to reflect growth in technique, but also in character.

 

The White Belt (Innocence)
White belt is a symbol of innocence. The new student at white belt level is said to be innocent, because he or she is completely unaware of the requirements of the art and utterly lacking in experience of it. When starting, the beginner carries with him/her an innocence, and an enormous potential to be discovered and developed throughout his/her Karate lifetime.  For this reason, the white belt is a very important person in the dojo.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR YOUR KYOKUSHIN GRADING
WHITE BELT AND WHITE BELT WITH ORANGE STRIPE
JUNIOR AND BEGINNERS REQUIREMENTS

The karate gi (uniform) must always be kept clean and should be ironed before each class. All rips or tears must be repaired immediately.

Dojo Procedures During Class

The Bow In

Japanese culture places great emphasis on respect for one's senior. When the class commences, all students line up in order of seniority, facing the front (shomen). Students line up in one row (space permitting), from right to left, in order of rank. Within each rank, students also line up from right to left, in order of seniority.

After lining up, students kneel down together (seiza position). After a brief period of meditation (mokuso position), to clear the mind, everyone bows to the front. The first bow is to the front of the class (shomen ni rei), then to Shihan (shihan ni rei), if he is in the Dojo, then to Sensei (sensei ni rei), and then to all Senpai (senpai ni rei). The call to bow is made by the person most senior in rank below the person/persons being honored.

The Sensei will ask a student to recite the Karate Creed, or the Dojo Oath.

Again, everyone bows to the front and to the instructor. The instructor stands first, then the students stand and assume yoi position .

Formal training then commences.
 

During Class

During class, students should not converse with each other or ask the instructor too many questions, wait until the end of the class if you need to ask some questions to the instructor. In Japanese culture, one is expected to learn by insight developed after much training, rather than from rationalization or explanation; this is very much opposite from how one learns in Western culture.

If it becomes necessary to adjust the gi, or belt, students must turn away from the front of class. Normally, this should only be done during a break in training.

If you have to leave the dojo before class is over (because of another commitment, illness or injury) obtain permission from the instructor.

The Bow Out

At the end of class, students line up and then assume seiza position. There is a brief period of meditation.
 

After lining up, students kneel down together (seiza). After a brief period of meditation (mokusu), to clear the mind, everyone bows to the front. The first bow is to the front of the class (shomen ni rei), then to Shihan (shihan ni rei)- if he is in the Dojo, then to Sensei (sensei ni rei), and then to all Senpai (senpai ni rei). The call to bow is made by the person most senior in rank below the person/persons being honored.

Again, everyone bows to the front and to the instructor. The instructor stands first, then all students stand. It is customary in the dojo for the students to bow, shake hands with and thank each of the instructors. This is done quickly and by rank. Move quickly from the dojo to make room for the following class.

REISHIKI
DOJO ETIQUETTE

Reishiki comes from two Japanese words. The first is "Rei" which is defined as: bow, salutation, salute, courtesy, propriety, ceremony, thanks and appreciation. The second part of the term is "Shiki" which is defined as: ceremony, rite or function. Combined the two words "Reishiki" can mean etiquette or manners.

Below you will find a list of the dojo etiquette used in a Kyokushin Dojo. Many of these procedures are common sense, many are plain good manners, and most are modeled on the traditions of JAPAN, the home of modern Karate.
In the Kyokushin Dojos around the world, there is a strict adherence to tradition, yet there is also compromise where it is more suitable. Attitudes vary from nation to nation, so rule variations also exist. There is no justification for laziness, or disregard for rules because of it.

The dojo is a sacred place; treat it as such. It is not merely a gym or any training centre. Take care of and pride in your dojo and treat it as you would any place of reverence.

Karate is easily mistaken for nothing more than a rough and demanding sport, serving little purpose except to teach its participants to injure others in most distasteful ways.

No-one is above the common courtesies expressed in the dojo rules. Often a senior student becomes too familiar with the dojo and his peers, and finds humor in his disregard of the dojo rules. Always remember that all Karate-ka, whether black belt or beginner, train in the same dojo on the same floor. All practice the same techniques and aspire toward the same ideals. Therefore, all are governed by the same requirements of etiquette...

1. -  When entering or leaving the dojo, always face the front, bow and say OSU, then face the general direction of the other students in the class, bow and say OSU again.

2. -  When late to class, kneels facing the back of the class in SEIZA. Wait with your eyes closed in MOKUSO. When acknowledged, remain in SEIZA and bow, saying "SHITSUREI SHIMASU" (excuse me for being late). Stand turn to the front of the dojo and bow once again with a strong OSU, and quickly join the back of the class. Students who are late for class should try harder to be on time.

3. -  Do not remove any part of your DOGI during training without being told to do so.

4. -  Do not eat, chew gum, smoke or drink in the dojo.

5. -  When asked to proceed to a position, or when lining up at the beginning of training or for some reason during training, always move as quickly as possible - do not stroll.

6. -  Never practice Kumite unless an instructor is present. When practicing Kumite with a black belt, do your very best, but show respect for the rank. If you think you can go harder then do so, but remember that they have your lower rank in mind while they are sparring, and so will not be fighting their hardest.

7. -  Do not ask a higher grade for Kumite. You should not refuse however, if you are asked by a senior grade.

8. -  Do not break rank for any reason without permission from the instructor. Never walk between rows, or between the instructor and those training. If you must leave your position, walk behind the row you are in to either side of the class and proceed from there.

9. -  Address your instructor as SENPAI, SENSEI or SHIHAN, as the case may be. Do not address an instructor by their first name in class.

10. -  Do not swear, laugh, giggle, talk, lounge or act inattentively during training. Treat your training seriously; it is not a laughing matter. A karate-ka is always alert and well behaved. Possession of a senior grade (especially black belt) is not your ticket to relaxation and familiarity in the dojo. Do not waste your time and everyone else's if you are not prepared to treat your training and your fellow karate-ka with the respect and the seriousness deserved. This includes leaving before the end of training. Unless directed by the instructor, a student should remain in the class until completion of the final bow-out. Abuse of this rule will not be tolerated.

11. -  Kneel on your right knee to adjust or re-tie your belt. Turn to the right, away from the front of the class, or from your partner if you are working with someone, to adjust your Dogi. Learn to respect your belt as a symbol of your efforts in training.

12. -  Your Dogi must be washed clean and neat at all times. Your belt should be aired dry but never washed, as it symbolically contains the spirit of your hard training.

13. -  Listen carefully to the instructor's directions. Remember that the instructor will not ask you to do what he or she may think you can not do. Acknowledge all instructions with a strong OSU.

14. -  Prior to addressing a senior belt, students should bow and say "OSU". The instructor, whoever it may be, should be treated with the respect that you yourself would expect as common courtesy. If you cannot find it in you to show respect to a person who is taking their time to teach you, then you do not belong in a karate dojo. Never question his/her direction; never speak in class unless asked by the instructor. Such obedience develops a bond of trust between the instructor and student, which improves mutual receptivity, simplifying and speeding the learning process.

15. -  For the sake of safety and neatness, do not wear jewelry during training, or when you are wearing your Dogi. No shoes are to be worn on the dojo floor.

16. -  Keep your toenails and fingernails clean and cut short at all times. Always be sure your feet, nails and hands are washed clean for training. In training you often work closely with others. Nobody likes to train with someone who is dirty.

17. -  Be sure to go to the toilet prior to training. An accidental blow to a full bladder can be extremely dangerous. Try also to remember that it is not good for the body to train on a full stomach, so avoid eating for at least one hour before class starts.

18. -  Students will refrain from gossip and disparaging remarks about other schools or styles of Martial Arts.

19. -  All students should conduct themselves, both inside and outside the dojo, in such a way that they will not disgrace the honor of their dojo and the Kyokushin Karate Organization.
 

TAISO
WARM-UPS

Taiso is a Japanese word, which means callisthenics or warm-ups. Starting at the 12 Mon you will be tested in some physical exercise related to training, accordingly to your testing requirements decided by the examiners. 
 

CLEANING THE DOJO

Cleaning the dojo trains the spirit and shows our respect for our place of training. The dojo should be viewed as a temple of training and not simply as a gym.
 

BODY HYGIENE

Respect the dojo and your training partners by always coming clean to classes (It is very uncomfortable for the others students if you smell for luck of proper cleaning). Also, always wear a clean gi.
 

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR NIT AND CLEAN

Folding your Gi properly is also good training for the spirit. It teaches humility and attention to detail. It teaches us to do for others without expectation of reward in return. Teach the younger students this tradition. It is also a show of your respect for your sempai and guest instructors to fold their Gi. It should be your way to say thank you for the help you have received from them.

New students are entitled to wear a gi as soon as they begin training. However, it is not necessary to purchase a uniform immediately. Until a gi is obtained, students should wear a plain t-shirt and sweat pants.

All that is required for the students to know at this level are explained below: Click on the links to get more information on the subject.

Below  are some vocabulary you should know  in order to do your grading.

Uke: We usually translate Uke as a block, but the Japanese Uke comes from the word Ukeru (Uke (ru)) which literally mean to "receive" and not "Block". (as the saying goes "A block is a lock, is a blow, is a throw". Using blocks like attacks is far more in line with the original intent of their application.
Dojo: A place of training for Japanese martial arts, no matter how grand or simple.
Dogi: Martial arts training suit. Occasionally abbreviated simply to "Gi"
Kiai: Spirit meeting, the unity of the body and mind
Kumite: It mean Entangled or Intertwined hands not fighting or sparring.
You see, the word “kumite” actually means “entangled” or “intertwined” (“kumi”) + “hands” (“te”). Not “fighting”, “sparring” or “jumping around trying to score points”.

Count in Japanese until 10

Below  are some vocabulary that even if you are not required to learn all of them at this level, it is good for you to have it as a reference.

KYOKUSHIN KATAS
KIHON KATA

KIHON KATA ICHI, NI, SAN :

Kihon means basic, so these Katas are for the purpose of practicing the basic moving in four basic directions (Hidari; Migi; Shomen; Ushiro). Those basic are:

1) Low Block (Gedan Barai); Middle Block (Chudan Uke); High Block (Jodan Uke).
2) Low Punch (Gedan Tsuki); Middle Punch (Chudan Tsuki); High Punch (Jodan Tsuki).
3) Front or Forward Position (Zenkutsu Dachi).
4) Turning (Mawatte)

REQUIREMENT FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST
DOJO ENTHEOS

Below you will find all what you need to know for your grading. It was designed to supply the students with information about their requirements for their grades. If you have any question regarding the requirements consult your teacher. The grading requirements in our school contain the following:

WHITE BELT & WHITE BELT WITH ORANGE STRIPE (NO KYU):

Theory: (No theory test at this level for children under 7 years old)

Physical Requirement:

1) Dachi Waza : (Stances)

2) Tsuki Waza: (Punches - Strikes)

3) Uke Waza: (Blocks)

4) Keri Waza: (Kicks)

5) Katas: (Forms):  (No Kyokushin Katas at this level, however there are 3 basic Kihon Katas )

6) Idogeiko: (Basic Moving) 

 7) Goshin Jitsu: (Self Defense)

STANCES AND WEIGHT DISTRIBUTIONS (DACHI)

STRIKES WITH FISTS

BLOCKS (UKE)

FEET STRIKES (KERI)

HOW TO TIE A BELT (OBI)
 

The Karate Dogi or Gi is the outfit worn for Karate training. It consists of a jacket (uwagi) and trousers (zubon) made of white cotton or canvas and a belt (obi).

THE OBI

The belt worn indicates the rank of the Karateka according to the standard ranking system adopted in Kyokushin Karate. The ten lower ranks (Mudansha) of Kyu or non-black belt holders are divided into the following colors: White, Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green and Brown. The upper ten ranks (Yudansha) of Dan have the holders wearing the Black Belt. (See belt rankings.) Although one washes ones gi, the belt is never washed. Every class that you take, every drop of sweat, every little tear or abrasion is part of what goes into each student's unique experience. It is something to be remembered, but not clung to. Therefore no experience is washed away. The belt must tell its own story.

How to Tie the Obi

BELT  RANKINGS

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