Shodan
Minimum of 6 months since 1st Kyu
KIHON
Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai
(Everything x 4)
Tobe konde sanbon zuki
Rotate forward 360’ gyaku zuki chudan
Back age uke mae geri gyaku zuki
Forward soto uke empi uraken (in kiba dachi) gyaku zuki (zenkutsu dachi)
Back shuto uke (kokutsu dachi) mae geri (front leg) nukite (zenkutsu dachi)
Forward uchi uke kizami zuki gyaku zuki
Forward yoko geri keage, yoko geri kekomi (same leg)
Forward mea geri, mawashi geri gyaku zuki
Forward ushiro geri gyaku zuki
Forward double jodan shuto uchi (from outside then inside)
KUMITE
Jiyu ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mae, mawashi, yoko, ushiro)
KATA
Tokui gata. Choose from: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Enpi.
Examiner imposes kata from: Heian Shodan – Godan, Tekki Shodan
Nidan
Minimum of 2 years since Shodan
KIHON
All from jiyu kamae
(Everything x 4)
Forward kizami zuki sanbon zuki
Forward kizami zuki mae geri oi zuki
Back age uke forward mawashi geri uraken oi zuki
Forward ushiro geri uraken gyaku zuki
Forward mawashi geri, forward ashi barai, gyaku zuki
Forward ura mawashi geri gyaku zuki
Facing examiner: mae geri, yoko geri keage, ushiro geri
Gyaku zuki distance control
KUMITE
Jiyu kumite
KATA
Tokui kata
Examiner chooses from: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Enpi
Sandan
Minimum of 3 years since Nidan
KIHON
From jiyu kamae
Forward kizami zuki gyaku zuki choku zuki oi zuki gyaku zuki (gohon renzoku oi komi – 5 punches one step plus yori ashi)
Forward age empi (kokutsu dachi), mawashi empi (zenkutsu dachi), yoko empi (kiba dachi)
Forward gyaku zuki, shift into kiba dachi yoko empi, shift back shuto uke, drive forward gyaku zuki
Forward mae geri oi zuki, mawashi geri uraken, ushiro geri gyaku zuki
Facing examiner: mae geri, yoko geri, ushiro geri, mawashi geri
KUMITE
Jiyu kumite.
KATA
Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Bassai-dai, Bassai-Sho, Kanku-dai, Kanku-Sho, Jion, Enpi.
Questions will be asked about tokui kata.
Yondan
Minimum of 4 years since Sandan
Examinee must have mastered all karate techniques, can understand their principles, apply them fully and be able to give general instruction. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique.
KUMITE
Jiyu kumite or (by prior arrangement with examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui waza with a partner.
KATA
Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Bassai-dai, Jion, Enpi, Kanku-dai, Hangetsu, Jitte.
Godan
Minimum of 5 years since Yondan
Examinee must have attained an exceptionally high level of karate technique and displayed originality in their karate. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique, tokui kata and bunkai.
KUMITE
Jiyu kumite or (by prior arrangement with examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui waza with a partner.
KATA
Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Bassai-sho, Kanku-sho, Jiin, Wankan, Chinte, Unsu, Sochin and ask questions about the examinee’s tokui kata.
Rokudan
Minimum of 6 years since Godan
Examinee must have obtained an exceptionally high level of karate both in technique and spirit. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique, tokui kata and bunkai.
KUMITE
Jiyu kumite or (by prior arrangement with examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui waza with a partner.
KATA
Tokui kata. Examiner chooses a kata from any of the Shotokan kata.
Nanadan
Minimum of 7 years since Rokudan
This grade is awarded by the Head Technical Director and the International Council after the HDKI senior has obtained an exceptionally high level of karate and developed their own individuality within the art of Shotokan.
Hachidan
Minimum of 8 years since Nanadan
This grade is awarded by the Head Technical Director and the International Council after the HDKI senior has obtained an exceptionally high level of karate and has shown a continuous development of their own individuality within the art of Shotokan.