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black belt dan standards


Video & Text Article: What standard is a Karate Black belt Test (Shodan) and 3rd Dan?

This page shows examples of a number of brown belts testing from different dojos/styles for Shodan (Karate black belt) via the Traditional Japanese Karate Netwrok. It discusses standads, curriculums, expectations and hopefully serves as a reference point for students and sensei. Depicted dojos include the USA, Australia and Japan. Below that is written recommendations around the 3rd Dan (Sandan) rank.

Video footage represents all sections of a belt test (karate grading, or Shinsa in Japanese) from various dojos and styles (Shotokan, Goju, Shito-ryu). The sections shown include: Kihon, Ido (step over combinations), Kata, Bunkai, Ippon Kumite and free kumite (sparring). 

Related links include:

1. Black belt theory manual and curriculum....

2. Curriculum design, Karate & Street Fighting Statistics...

3. Belt test certifcate templates...  

                           shodan sandan karate belt test standard curriculum level

3rd Dan - Recommendations for this high level rank:

1st, 3rd and 5th dan are usually considered the 3 key ranks that one sits for on the way along the path. 

Sandan: 

Text book style karate – this level shows one has a solid approach on the “Shu” of Shuhari .

At least 10 years consistent training. 

Instructor experience - should be able to guide and hold Shodans as students 

Life experience – must be at leat 21 given the maturity of life experience expected for the rank (based on recommendations from senior sensei panels of international note). 

3rd Dan theory exam must be completed. 

Has a solid handle on terms, pronunciation, history, kata and karate lineage. 

Capable of refereeing a kumite bout with appropriate terminology. 

As strong and fast physically as anyone in a dojo – not the same experience as 4th, 5th Dan. 

If under 40 has made the effort to continually compete in tournaments to gain the experience they offer. 


A handful to deal with (partner work) for any instructor, regardless of their rank (nidans are generally not a rank that a 4th and 5th dan would struggle to deal with in Ippon kumite or kumite.  The application of fudoshin is a differentiator here for sandan.

Have a solid handle on all the kata and bunkai in the belt test curriculum. Know at least 3-4 advanced kata in depth with all the asscoaited bunkai. 

Sets the standard in the dojo technically, etiquette and attendance/support. 

Two diffreing common rules of thumb are out there on time between Dan ranks. 

1. The number that your rank is, is the time in years before you can go to the next Dan rank (e.g. a sandan needs at least 3 years on sandan before testing for yoondan).

2. The rank number you are going for determines how long you will be on that rank e.g. going for yondan means 4 years on sadan. 

However, select sensei sometimes consider more the time in consistent training and may override the above if someone has been unable to grade for political, or other reasons i.e. a catch-up like scenario (there are many examples of this from different leading sensei). 


black belt certificate dan standard grading karate

Finally, time in the art is by no means the only measure – just one. Promotion is not simply because someone has “put in their time”. 


Life experience requirements and ranks – set by past examples from quality organizations recognized internationally 

   - 21years old for sandan
       (Nick Lukich, Marcus Young) 

   - 27 yrs old for yondan
       (numerous examples in Japan) 

   - 33 yrs old for godan
       (Greg Story, Jason Armstrong) 

   - 38 for Rokudan
         (Iba, McCarthy, Armstrong & others).









                                    
 
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