Yoshukai Alliance Black Belt Requirements

Black belt exams will be held twice each year in June and December. The following are the minimum requirements that must be met before one may be considered for Yudansha promotion. Even if all the requirements are met it is up to the instructor, regional instructor, or the director and chief instructor to recommend promotion. In Yoshukai Karate Alliance the rank of black belt is still held as an elite rank and must be earned through the one’s dedication, perseverance, and knowledge of Yoshukai Karate.

Shodan (1st degree black belt)

  1. Have the recommendation of instructor
  2. Minimum 1 year as an active member in the Alliance since the promotion to 1st kyu brown belt
  3. Attend a minimum of 75% of all kyu belt clinics/training seminars conducted by the DCI or RI
  4. Attend at least one Natsu Keiko
  5. Katas; 27 Movements through Seisan, plus:
    • Niseishi
    • Rohaisho
    • Rohaidai
  6. Nunchaku (not required for promotion)
    • Kihon Kata Shodan
  7. Bo (not required for promotion)
    • Kihon Kata Shodan
    • Kihon Kata Nidan
    • Kihon Kata Sandan

Nidan (2nd degree black belt)

  1. Have the recommendation of instructor
  2. Minimum 16 years of age
  3. Minimum 3 consecutive years as an active member in the Alliance since the promotion to Shodan
  4. Attend a minimum of 75% of all yudansha clinics/training seminars conducted by the DCI or RI
  5. Attend at least one Natsu Keiko
  6. Katas; Seisan through Rohaidai, plus:
    • Sochin
    • Tenshin
    • Mugen
  7. Nunchaku (not required for promotion)
    • Kihon Kata Nidan
  8. Bo (not required for promotion)
    • Shonobo
    • Kumibo
  9. Sai (not required for promotion)
    • Zenshinkotai
    • Shihohai
    • Rohaisho
  10. Tonfa (not required for promotion)
    • Shihohai
  11. Katana (not required for promotion)
    • Iai (1-8)
  12. Bo tai Sai (not required for promotion)
    • Bo tai Sai (1-3)
  13. Bo tai Bo (not required for promotion)
    • Bo tai Bo (1-3)

Sandan (3rd degree black belt)

  1. Have the recommendation of instructor
  2. Minimum 3 consecutive years as an active member in the Alliance since the promotion to Nidan
  3. Attend a minimum of 75% of all yudansha clinics/training seminars conducted by the DCI or RI
  4. Attend at least two Natsu Keikos
  5. Katas
    • Bassai
    • Chinto
    • Kusanku
  6. Nunchaku (not required for promotion)
    • Kihon Kata Sandan
  7. Bo (not required for promotion)
    • Shounokon
  8. Sai (not required for promotion)
    • Rohaidai
    • Tenshin
    • Mugen
    • Bassai
  9. Tonfa (not required for promotion)
    • Rohaisho
    • Rohaidai
  10. Katana (not required for promotion)
    • Iai (9-10)
  11. Bo tai Sai (not required for promotion)
    • Bo tai Sai (4-6)

Yondan (4th degree black belt)

  1. Have the recommendation of instructor
  2. Minimum 4 consecutive years as an active member in the Alliance since the promotion to Sandan
  3. Attend a minimum of 75% of all yudansha clinics/training seminars conducted by the DCI or RI
  4. Attend at least three Natsu Keikos
  5. Katas
    • Ryusan
    • Sanshiryu
    • Seinchin
  6. Sai (not required for promotion)
    • Yosei
    • Unryu
  7. Tonfa (not required for promotion)
    • Niseishi
    • Mugen
  8. Bo tai Tonfa (not required for promotion)
    • Bo tai Tonfa (1-6)

Godan (5th degree black belt)

  1. Have the recommendation of instructor and Regional Instructor
  2. Only the Director and Chief Instructor has the authority to promote to Godan
  3. Minimum 5 consecutive years as an active member in the Alliance since the promotion to Yondan
  4. Attend a minimum of 80% of all yudansha clinics/training seminars conducted by the DCI or RI
  5. Attend at least three Natsu Keikos
  6. Katas
    • Sanchin
    • Ananko

Rokudan or higher (6th degree black belt)

  1. Have the recommendation of instructor and Regional Instructor
  2. Only the Director and Chief Instructor has the authority to promote to Rokudan or higher