12/05/14 - THE BLACK SAMURAI

Friday, December 5, 2014

The JKA/WF Kyu and Dan Rank Certification System

2:44:00 PM
The JKA/WF Kyu and Dan Rank Certification System


Japan Karate Association :: Dan Ranking
There are 10 Kyu and 10 Dan in JKA karate. To obtain certification for each rank, you must fulfill the certification requirements and complete the testing procedure. Testing or grading is carried out by a panel of instructors authorized as JKA technical examiners.
Typically, Dan grading sessions take place 4 times per year, and Kyu grading takes place twice. In order to be eligible for testing, you must first have gained the appropriate amount of continuous experience at your current rank. Then, depending on the level of Dan you are being graded for, you may have to take the test outside your own country or region (at the higher Dan ranks, only Tokyo JKA HQ is authorized to evaluate, grade and issue certification).
These details are summarized in the following chart.

Kyu and Dan Grading Prerequisites

RankMin. ExperienceTesting Location
10th to 1st Kyu Branch dojo or group
1st Dan1 yr Cannot apply same day as attaining 1st DanPrefectural HQ or Branch dojo or group, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
2nd Dan1 yr at 1st Dan rankNational (Prefectural) HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
3rd Dan2 yrs at 2nd Dan rank
4th Dan3 yrs at 3rd Dan rankTokyo JKA HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
5th Dan4 yrs at 4th Dan rank
6th Dan6 yrs at 5th Dan rankTokyo JKA HQ
7th Dan7 yrs at 6th Dan rankSpring camp in JKA HQ or Autumun camp in JKA HQ or Funakoshi Gichin Cup world championships
8th Dan7 yrs at 7th Dan rankUpon recommendation by Instructor Committee
9th Dan8 yrs at 8th Dan rankUpon recommendation by Instructor Committee
10th Dan9 yrs at 9th Dan rank