5th to 8th Dan

Black Belt

Kihon

(Basic Movements)

At 5th to 8th Dan, no terminology is tested during the grading.

Kata

(Set of Movements)

At 5th to 8th Dan, two katas must be demonstrated to the examiner. The first of these will be from Option A and chosen by the student. The second will be any from Option B and chosen by the examiner. These must be different from those demonstrated for the student’s previous gradings.

See the option lists below.

Option A

(One must be selected by the student to demonstrate)

Bassai Dai

The tenth kata has 42 movements, making it the longest kata on a students way to their black belt, and demonstrates powerful techniques.

Jion*

Hangetsu*

Gankaku*

Tekki Sandan*

Nijushiho*

Bassai Sho*

Unsu*

Gojushiho Dai*

Meikyo*

(*Video content is pending production for the above Katas)

Option B

(One of these Katas will be chosen by the Examiner)

KANKU Dai*

(*Video is pending production for Kanku Dai)

Empi

The ninth kata is one of the longer katas at 37 movements, including a 360 degree jump.

Jitte

The seventh kata introduces movement that works with the bo (staff) and comprises of 24 moves.

Tekki Nidan

The eighth kata is set in kiba dachi (straddle stance) and works through whole body movements and grappling.

Sochin*

Kanku Sho*

Chinte*

Gojushiho Sho*

Wankan*

Jiin*

(*Video content is pending production for the above Katas)

Bunkai

(Application of Kata)

The Bunkai (application of a kata) must be demonstrated by the student at 5th to 8th Dan. They may pick any kata from Option A or Option B.

See video demonstrations on our Bunkai page.

Jiyu Kumite

(Free Sparring)

During grading, for 5th to 7th Dan students will take part in Jiyu Kumite, which is a free fighting competition. This is not required at 8th Dan.

At Stafford Shotokan Karate we focus on the martial art and traditional technique. Oppononents are decided by the Sensei, and of a similar level.