IOSSKA Rank Requirements
IOSSKA YUDANSHA RANK REQUIREMENTS**
Shodan
· Minimum of 16 years old and 3 years of training
· Kihon Renshu and Zenshin Kotai
· Ippon Kumites – all 17 – demonstrated with a partner
· Seisan, Ananku, Wansu, Passai, and Gojushiho
· Seisan (3) person renzoku kumite and Seisan Yakosoku kumite
· Three minute jiyu kumite match
· 50 hours as an assistant teacher
· Written test on the history of the Shimabukuro family
Nidan
· Minimum of 18 years old, two years after promotion to shodan
· All material required for shodan
· Wanchin, and Naifanchi shodan
· 3 minute jikyu kumite match
· Nafianchi Renzoku Kumite
· 100 hours of as an assistant teacher
· Written test on the history of Shorin Ryu Karate
Sandan
· Minimum of 21 years of age and three years after promotion to nidan
· All previous material
· Chinto, Naifanchi nidan and Tokumine no kun
· Demonstrate (2) Renzoku kumite drills
· 150 hours as an assistant teacher or sensei of a dojo for one year
· Demonstrates support of Seibukan on a national level
· Written test on basic principles of Seibukan development of speed, and power
Yondan
· Minimum of 25 years old and four years after promotion to sandan
· Bunkai applications from each Seibukan kata – two (2) from each kata
· Kusanku and Naifanchi sandan
· Demonstrate a renzoku kumite drill created by the person being graded
· 200 hours as an assistant instructor or sensei of a dojo for two years
· Demonstrated support and development of Seibukan on a national level
· Deliver a paper explaining the theory of any Seibukan kata – history, purpose and value of the kata
(paper must be delivered one week before the grading date)
Godan
· Minimum of 30 years old and 5 years after promotion to yondan
· Jion and Passai Gwa – demonstrate the difference in execution from Seibukan kata
· Deliver a paper on any subject relative to Seibukan (Paper must be delivered one week before the grading date)
· 300 hours of teaching as an assistant instructor or dojo sensei for five years
· Demonstrated the ability to train others to the levels of yudansha
· Demonstrated the support and development of Seibukan on a national and international basis
Rokyudan
· Minimum of 36 years old and 6 years between promotion to godan
· A proven dojo sensei or proven leader of other yudansha in a chartered Seibukan Dojo
· Demonstrated the ability to develop yudansha to a higher grade levels
· Visited and trained in Okinawa a minimum of 2 times
· Teaches on a national level to Seibukan members
· Pinan Kata
· Perform (2) Seibukan Kata of choice
** The above requirements are subject to change at the discretion of Hanshi Dan Smith and the Seibukan USA Chief Instructors . Check with your dojo Sensei for any additional requirements or necessary information.