DAN Ranking
The JKA Kyu and Dan Rank Certification System
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. ExperienceAgeTesting Location
10th to 1st KyuBranch dojo or group
1st Dan1 year , Cannot apply same day as attaining 1st DanPrefectural HQ or Branch dojo or group, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
2nd Dan1 year at 1st Dan rankNational (Prefectural) HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
3rd Dan2 years at 2nd Dan rank18 and over
4th Dan3 years at 3rd Dan rankTokyo JKA HQ or Regional HQ, with permission of Tokyo JKA HQ
5th Dan4 years at 4th Dan rank
6th Dan6 years at 5th Dan rankTokyo JKA HQ
7th Dan7 years at 6th Dan rank50 and overSpring camp in JKA HQ or Autumun camp in JKA HQ or Funakoshi Gichin Cup world championships
8th Dan7 years at 7th Dan rank60 and overUpon recommendation by Instructor Committee
9th Dan8 years at 8th Dan rankUpon recommendation by Instructor Committee
10th Dan9 years at 9th Dan rank
Kyu / Dan Grading Guideline
10th Kyu
【KIHON】In place basics in HACHIJIDACHI
CHUUDAN CHOKUZUKI
JOUDAN AGEUKE
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE
MAEGERI (HEISOKU DACHI・GEDAN KAKIWAKE)
* “GOREI” command (From right side in turn for each Waza)
9th Kyu
【KIHON】In place basics in SHIZEN TAI to ZENKUTSU DACHI and back to SHIZEN TAI
CHUUDAN JUNZUKI
JOUDAN AGEUKE
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE,
KOKUTSU SHUTOU UKE
MAEGERI (HEISOKUDACHI, GEDAN KAKIWAKE)
* “GOREI” command (From right side two action in turn for each WAZA)←Is that 1 to 4
8th Kyu
【KIHON】IDOU KIHON Moving basics
CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE (step in)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)
GEDAN BARAI (step in)
KOKUTSU SHUTOU UKE (step in)
MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)
【KATA】TAIKYOKU SHODAN
【KUMITE】GOHON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI)
7th Kyu
【KIHON】IDOU KIHON Moving basics
CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)
CHUUDAN UCHIUKE (step back)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE (step in)
MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE (in HEISOKU DACHI, right and left alternating)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in HEISOKU DACHI, right and left alternating)
【KATA】HEIAN SHODAN
【KUMITE】GOHON KUMITE (JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI)
6th Kyu
【KIHON】 IDO KIHON Moving basics
CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE (step back)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE (step in)
CHUUDAN UCHIUKE (step back)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE (step in)
MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBADACHI, right and left) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBADACHI, right and left) (step in)
【KATA】 HEIAN NIDAN
【KUMITE】KIHON IPPON KUMITE
(JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left)
5th Kyu
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics
CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step in)
CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOUUKE (step in)
MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBADACHI, right and left) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in KIBADACHI, right and left) (step in)
【KATA】HEIAN SANDAN
【KUMITE】KIHON IPPON KUMITE
(JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN MAEGERI GEDAN KAKIWAKE – right and left)
4th Kyu
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics
CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
SANBON RENZUKI (step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step in)
CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOUUKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)
MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBADACHI, right and left) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)
【KATA】HEIAN YONDAN
【KUMITE】KIHON IPPON KUMITE
(JOUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI – right and left, CHUUDAN MAEGERI GEDAN KAKIWAKE – right and left, CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI – right and left)
3rd Kyu
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics
CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
SANBON RENZUKI (step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (step in)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKU ZUKI (as KOUKUTSUDACHI is) (step in)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)
MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step in)
【KATA】 HEIAN GODAN
【KUMITE】JIYUU IPPON KUMITE
(JOUDAN JUNZUKI , CHUUDAN JUNZUKI , CHUDAN MAEGERI) – right and left
2nd Kyu
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics
JOUDAN JUNZUKI , CHUUDAN GYAKUZUKI(step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE ,GYAKUZUKI (step in)
CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOUUKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)
MAEGERI (GEDAN KAKIWAKE) (step in)
MAWASHIGERI (step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBADACHI, right and left) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (in ZENKUTSUDATI) (step in)
【KATA】TEKKI SHODAN
【KUMITE】JIYUU IPPON KUMITE
(JODAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN MAEGERI, CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI ,MAWASHIGERI) – right and left
※Inform your choice of JOUDAN or CHUUDAN for MAWASHIGERI
1st Kyu
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics
JOUDAN JUNZUKI , CHUUDAN GYAKUZUKI(step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, YOKOENPI (ZENKUTSUDACHI changing stance to KIBADACHI) (step in)
CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)
MAEGERI (On the spot) ,MAEGERI(step in)
MAWASHIGERI (step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBADACHI, right and left) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)
【KATA】BASSAI DAI
【KUMITE】JIYU IPPON KUMITE
(JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN MAEGERI, CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI, MAWASHIGERI) – right and left
※Inform your choice of JOUDAN or CHUUDAN for MAWASHIGERI
1st Dan
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics
SANBON RENZUKI (step in)
JOUDAN AGEUKE, GYAKUZUKI (step back)
CHUUDAN SOTOUKE, YOKOENPI, YOKOURAKEN UCHI, GYAKUZUKI (ZENKUTSUDACHI changing stance to KIBADACHI changing stance to ZENKUTSU DACHI) (step in)
CHUUDAN UCHIUKE, KIZAMIZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (KOUKUTSUDACHI to ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step back)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOU UKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step in)
MAEGERI (On the spot) ,MAE GERI(step in)
MAWASHIGERI (step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE (in KIBA DACHI, right and left) (step in)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (ZENKUTSUDACHI)
【KATA】BASSAI DAI, KANKU DAI, ENPI or JION (your choice)
【KUMITE】JIYU IPPON KUMITE
(JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN MAEGERI, CHUUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI, JOUDAN MAWASHIGERI) – right and left
※Inform your choice of JOUDAN or CHUUDAN for MAWASHIGERI
2nd Dan
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics
CHUUDAN JUNZUKI (step in)
JOUDAN JYUNZUKI, CHUUDAN GYAKUZUKI (step in)
SANBON RENZUKI (step in)
AGEUKE, SOTOUKE (with same arm), GYAKUZUKI (step back)
UCHIUKE, KIZAMIZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (KOKUTSUDACHI to ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)
KOUKUTSHU SHUTOUUKE, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)
MAEGERI (On the spot), MAEGERI(step in)
YOKOGERI KEAGE, YOKOGERI KEKOMI (KIBADACHI, alternate feet)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI (ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)
MAWASHIGERI, YOKOURAKENUCHI, CHUUDAN GYAKUZUKI (step in)
【KATA】 Student’s favorite KATA
【KUMITE】JIYU KUMITE
3rd Dan
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics free KAMAE
KIZAMIZUKI, JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN GYAKUZUKI (step in)
AGEUKE, SOTOUKE (with same arm), GYAKUZUKI (step back)
UCHIUKE, KIZAMIZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (KOKUTSUDACHI to ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOUUKE, KIZAMIMAEGERI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)
MAEGERI・GYAKUZUKI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI・GYAKUZUKI, MAWASHIGERI・GYAKUZUKI (step in)
USHIROGERI (step in)
MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, USHIROGERI (ZENKUTSUDACHI same feet right and left)
【KATA】Student’s favorite KATA (Question and Answer Session)
【KUMITE】JIYU KUMITE
4th Dan
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics free KAMAE
KIZAMIZUKI, SANBON RENZUKI (step in)
AGEUKE, SOTOUKE (with same arm), GYAKUZUKI (step back)
UCHIUKE, KIZAMIZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (KOKUTSUDACHI to ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOUUKE, KIZAMIMAEGERI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)
MAEGERI, JUNZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)
KIZAMIMAWASHIGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)
MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, USHIROGERI (ZENKUTSUDACHI same feet right and left)
【KATA】 Student’s favorite KATA (Question and Answer Session)
【KUMITE】JIYU KUMITE
5th Dan
【KIHON】IDO KIHON Moving basics free KAMAE
KIZAMIZUKI, SANBON RENZUKI (step in)
AGEUKE, SOTOUKE (with same arm), GYAKUZUKI (step back)
UCHIUKE, KIZAMIZUKI, GYAKUZUKI (KOKUTSUDACHI to ZENKUTSUDACHI) (step in)
KOUKUTSU SHUTOUUKE, KIZAMIMAEGERI, ZENKUTSU NUKITE (step back)
MAEGERI, JOUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUUDAN GYAKUZUKI (step in)
YOKOGERI KEKOMI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)
MAWASHIGERI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)
MAEGERI, YOKOGERI KEKOMI, MAWASHIGERI, GYAKUZUKI (step in)
【KATA】
from HEIAN SHODAN to TEKKI SANDAN specified by examiner (Question and Answer Session)
Student’s favorite KATA (Question and Answer Session)
【KUMITE】JIYU KUMITE
6th Dan
【KIHON】Specified by examiner
【KATA】
from HEIAN SHODAN to TEKKI SANDAN BASSAIDAI, KANKUUDAI, ENPI, or JION specified by examiner (Question and Answer Session)
Student’s favorite KATA (Question and Answer Session)
【KUMITE】JIYU KUMITE
-Question and Answer Session on technique
-Submit a report on technique on the exam day (Submitted one week in advance)
7th Dan
【KIHON】 Specified by examiner
【KATA】 Student’s favorite KATA (Question and Answer Session)
【KUMITE】JIYU KUMITE
-Question and Answer Session on technique
-Submit a report on technique on the exam day (Submitted one week in advance)
8th, 9th, 10th Dan
Recommendation by SHIHANKAI
(Note)＜from 2nd Dan to 7th Dan＞
General KUMITE for men / women the age of 60 and above are required JIYUU KUMITE or JIYUU IPPON KUMITE (JODAN JUNZUKI, CHUDAN JUNZUKI, CHUDAN MAEGERI, CHUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI, MAWASHIGERI) right
※Inform JOUDAN or CHUDAN as for MAWASHIGERI
Effective from 1st April, 2022
To progress to the next Kyu or Dan, JKA students must demonstrate exceptional skill and near flawless execution of a prescribed set of techniques and kata. Our specially-trained instructors and examiners carefully study and evaluate each student based on the criteria shown by clicking on any rank on the chart above.
How to convert Dan taken from other Karate organization
【General condition】
Join Japan Karate Association or an organization under the JKA WF
Provide the certificate issued by your former organization
(Dan grade and the date of promotion should be displayed on that)
Your years of experience will be counted from the date of your last Dan examination in the former organization in the case of your testing for a higher JKA Dan than you currently have.
The examination date of JKA Dan should be the acquisition date of your JKA Dan.ex.) If you pass JKA 5th Dan exam on April 1, 2020 with 5th Dan from another organization, your acquisition date of 5th Dan is April 1, 2020.
When you take the test for the next Dan, the training years will be counted from the acquisition date of JKA Dan.ex) If you pass JKA 5th Dan exam on April 1, 2020, your exam of 6th Dan should be after 6 years from April 1, 2020.
【Outside of Japan】
You have to take exam for whichever Dan you apply. At the exam, submit a copy of the Dan certificate issued by your former organization.
Up to 3rd Dan can be tested by the Special Dan right holder in each country. 4th and 5th Dans are tested by HQ instructors in each region. 6th Dan and above are tested for only at HQ.
The registration fee of the converted Dan is required. Additionally, the conversion fee of all previous Dan is also required.
【Conversion process】
Join an organization under the JKA WF
Prepare a copy of the Dan certificate issued by your former organization.
Take the JKA Dan examination (Based on the JKA examination rules and regulations)
*You can take the exam for a higher Dan than you have.
*You may not take the exam for a dan for which you do not have the required experience.
The examiner gives the JKA Dan, which matches your ability
*There is a possibility of being given a lower level of Dan than you held in your former organization.
Register JKA Dan
*The registration fee of the Dan you converted and the conversion fee up to the acquired Dan, will be required.
ex.) If you have passed and held the 4th Dan of another organization for more than 4 years, you can take JKA 5th Dan exam. In case you pass 5th Dan, you have to pay the registration fee for 5th Dan and the conversion fee of 1, 2, 3, 4 Dan. In case you get 3rd Dan, you have to pay the registration fee for 3rd Dan and conversion fee for 1st and 2nd Dan.
