FIRST DAN - BLACK BELT
SHODAN
初段

Here you will find all the information you need to prepare you for your grading. This information includes your theory and your practical test. I hope this information helps you in giving you a better understanding about Kyokushin Karate and also gives you a better understanding of your requirements and at the same time helps you to study and prepare for it. 

MEANING OF THE BELTS

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

The Black Belt (Achievement/New Beginning)

Equipped with a basic ability and understanding, your journey begin. The step from Brown Belt to Black Belt is the most important in the life of the Karate-ka. Practices in techniques should be now for the purpose of fine tuning. Black, like White, occurs rarely in nature and is often not regarded as a color as such. This is the color of the spirit. Black is the color of strength. The Black Belts is the strongest of all Karate-ka, and not colored Belt can cover him. Like the White Belt that gradually become Black, his Black Belt slowly fades, becomes frayes at the edges, and turn White again. Thus the circle is inevitable complete; the expert become the student once more. Seeking the ultimate truth is the only way.  

Do It Now

High achievers accomplish their goals by planning far in advance, but more importantly through their day-to-day activities. The goal of becoming a black belt begins in the mind, but is accomplished by daily sweat and training.

Through out the ages, we have watched the winners in combat and adopted their attitudes and behaviors because we have seen the ramifications of using the strategy and tactics of their loosing adversaries. A warrior understands that it is easy to know how to become successful in battle or even life. Simply watch what successful people do and duplicate their actions.

All successful people have a unique ability to see the future through a keen vision. They create their future one step at a time by chipping away those things that are standing in the way of their success. They know that where they are right now is based on their actions from the past and likewise, where they will be in the future is based on what they do right now. The actions they need to take right now to reach their future goals are usually not highly evolved tactics, but very basic things linked to universal truths. To understand yourself and the world around you, you must learn to incorporate these universal truths into your everyday life. One of these classical principles is to do it now.

In Japanese martial arts, combat tactics are discussed in reference to the timing of the movement. For example, Go no Sen is a counter attack which translates as after, before. In other words, you implemented your technique after your opponent launched his attack. He attacks and then you counter. The next level of techniques, is Sen no Sen which translates as before, before. This is where you initiated your technique at the same time that the attack occurs. To be successful at this higher level, you must develop a great sense of awareness and timing, reading the subtlest signs that most people would not even recognize. The highest level of techniques is Sen no Sen level where one actually counters a conflict before that action is ever initiated. It is at this level where the real senior tacticians and most successful people dwell.

To understand the sophistication of this level of conflict resolution, you must understand that all the biggest problems you have ever had in your life, began as a little one. If one learns to deal with situations at the lowest level, they never become a crisis, and you can spend your energy on more productive goals. Take for example a simple punching attack. If you wait till it gets to full speed and at full extension, then it can be very powerful and dangerous. If however, you reach in and stop the attack just as its being thrown, it is easily nullified.

This self-defense principle works in other areas as well. Lets look at time management for an example. One of the biggest time wasters is to handle an item several times by putting it off to another time. You receive a letter and place it in a pile, only to look at it at a later time and file it again. By taking care of the business as it comes in and only dealing with it once you save a tremendous amount of time and increases your productivity.

On a personal and even professional level, we may have a tendency to avoid an uncomfortable situation by not discussing a problem we have with another person or an employee. By not handling the problem at the lowest level, many times this situation will grow into a serious problem later on. Whenever you identify a problem of any nature it is better to try and resolve it right away.

The very best way to deal with a problem is to create proactive action plans that prevent them from occurring in the first place. The very best preventative action is to stay busy working on your short-term goals by identifying what is the most important thing you could be doing right now that will allow you to reach these goals in the shortest and most efficient manner. Once this has been identified, the key is to remember “do it now”.           

"Studying the Martial Way is like climbing a cliff; keep going forward without rest. Resting is not permissible because it causes recessions to old stages of achievement. Persevering day in, day out improves techniques, but resting, even one day, causes lapses. This must be prevented."

Sosai Masutatsu Oyama

You must find out what it mean the Black Belt to you. It is a recognition of skill by your Sensei or is it a recognition of something more and deeper commitment to a way and philosophy of life?  For some students it meant a sense of responsibility to make sure your Kyokushin is kept to a good standard, and to work on improvement, as well as set a good example to other students.
However, the more important is what it means to you.
 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR YOUR
KYOKUSHIN THEORY TEST
FIRST DAN - BLACK BELT/SHODAN  

NOTE: PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS LEVEL (SHODAN) IS NOT FINISHED YET, SO YOU MUST CHECK THIS OFTEN AS I MAY BE DOING SOME CHANGES TO THIS REQUIREMENTS. THANK YOU!

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

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAILS:

- The meaning of Black Belt (See above)
 

KYOKUSHIN KATAS

TAIKYOKU KATA

TAIKYOKU ICHI, NI, SAN  (URA):

Taikyoku means first cause or first course. Also, means taking the overview, the large view. See the whole rather than focusing on the individual parts. According to a translator of the Karate-Do Kyohan "a philosophical term denoting the macrocosm before its differentiation into heaven and hearth: hence, chaos or the void".
Taikyoku Katas come from a Karate style named, Shotokan and was created by Gichin Funakoshi en 1930. Sosai Masutatsu Oyama (Who created Kyokushin Karate), described this Kata as the most basic of all. We must learn first how to crow before we walk the way of Karate. The Chinese characters for Taikyoku are " t'ai ch'i ".  

The 3 Taikyoku Katas are of northern influence - Shuri-te

REQUIREMENT FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST
DOJO ENTHEOS

NOTE: Review these requirements often as it may be some adding/changes on it.

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

SHODAN - ( BLACK BELT)

Time in Classes : 42 Months (3 years and 6 Months / three class a week - 2 hours class ).
Students must have at least 1 year completion at 1st. Kyu Level.

Theory :
1.- Students must have or know:

Certification :
1.- Students must have a current CPR and First Aid Certificate given by reliable institution like the St. John Ambulance. 
2.- Coaching Level 1 Certificate.

Physical Requirement:

1) Stances (Tachikata / Dachi):

No new stances at this level

2) Tsuki - Uchi: (Strikes)

	Morote Haito Uchi Jodan (Two hands Inner knife hand strike - High)
	Morote Haito Uchi Chudan (Two hands Inner knife hand strike - Middle)

3) Uke: (Blocks)

	Morote Kake Uke Jodan (Two hands or Supported Hook Block - High)
	Morote Kake Uke Chudan (Two hands or Supported Hook Block - Chudan)
	Morote Haito Uchi Uke (Two hands Inner knife hand Block )
	Osae Uke (Push down Block)

5) Forms: (Katas)

	All Taikyoku Katas in Ura
	Tensho
	Saiha
	SanchinTensho
	Chion Bo Kata
	Taikyoku Sono Ichi Bo Kata
	Taikyoku Sono Ni Bo Kata
	Taikyoku Sono San Bo Kata
	Taikyoku Sono Ichi Nunchaku Kata
	Taikyoku Sono Ni Nunchaku Kata
	Taikyoku Sono San Nunchaku Kata

Combinations - ( Renraku ) :

	Gohon Geri: A combinations of five kicks starting from a fighting stance (Right Jodan Mawashi Geri, Left Ushiro Mawashi Geri, Right Jodan Mae Geri, Left Mawashi Geri, Right Jodan Ushiro Mawashi Geri.
	Combinations as required ( hands and legs techniques, striking and blocking )

	Ippon Kumite: Using Basic techniques in Ippon Kumite with a good understanding of Kawashi, Kuzuchi, Ryushi, Sashi-te, Sure-Ashi, Hikkake.
	Use of Tai-Sabaki
	Releasing techniques using the concept of Sashi-te
	Students should have a clear understanding of, and good physical ability for economy of motion. Ippon Kumite should incorporate a wide range of Kihon with good use of tactics and a variety of counters and follow ups. The ability to react to unknown or new situations. Movements should indicate good Seichin Ryoku

Fifteen Sparring of 11/2 minutes.

Two 10 x 8 inch boards: 1) Using Seiken & 2) Students choice of technique.

MOROTE KAKE UKE JODAN
Front View	Side View	Front View

 

MOROTE KAKE UKE CHUDAN
Front View	Side View	Front View

MOROTE HAITO UCHI UKE
Front View	Front View
Side View	Side View

 

OSAE UKE
Front View	Front View
Osae Uke combined with  Yonhon Nukite