Katsu Dojo Shito-Ryu Black Belt (Shodan) Study Guide

Black Belt (Shodan) Requirements

• Perform every basic exercise and every kata listed in the textbook (all 14 kata).
• Take all the written tests in the textbook and score 100%. From Green/White up, these are given orally in class the Monday or Tuesday before the test, using all the written questions in random order. Every answer must be correct.
• Other areas of the student's progression, both mental and physical, will be tested. The black belt test is private: only black belts may attend.
• Age: students 16 and older test for Shodan (1st Degree). Under 16 test for Shodan-Ho (Junior 1st Degree), unless an exception is made for superior ability and dedication. Junior black belts may not sit on the testing board, take part in the black belt test, or receive the title of Sensei.
• Attendance: attend almost all advanced classes in the months before the test, and help in beginner and intermediate classes.
• Instructor review: in the last two weeks before the test, your instructor reviews all requirements for your level, plus your attitude, manners, out-of-class behavior and school performance. Students who don't follow the five Katsu Dojo Virtues may not test.

Confirm with Sensei

• The minimum number of classes required at each belt level (the textbook says a minimum is required but gives no number).
• Whether every rank still uses the same Tanren Ho counts (the book lists 10 of each at every rank).
• Meaning of Sachin-dachi (listed as a stance from Green/Brown up, but not defined in the written tests).
• The Green Belt kanji question (the characters for Japan / kara / te) — practise from the printed textbook.
• The details of Take Down #7, Moving Exercise #2 and the Todi; the textbook only gives the quiz answers.
• How many rounds of Jyu Kumite, and what other 'mental and physical' areas, are tested at black belt.
• Whether kobudo (weapons) is part of the black belt test — the textbook's testing section does not list it.

The 14 Kata (in order)

Kihon: everything required by black belt

Tachikata (stances), 13

• Musubi: Attention stance
• Yoi: Natural stance
• Zenkutsu: Front stance
• Shiko: Wide stance
• Hanzenkutsu: Half-front stance
• Neko Ashi: Cat stance
• Kosa: "X" stance
• Heisoku: Feet-together stance
• Kokutsu: Back stance
• Re No Ji: V-stance
• Sachin: Confirm with Sensei (not defined in the written tests)
• Ten No Ji: "T" stance
• Sagi Ashi: Crane foot stance

Tanren Ho (exercises)

• 10 Udetate Seiken (knuckle pushups)
• 10 Sanbon Geri (three front kicks)
• 10 Suwari Geri (squat kicks)

Kihon Waza (basic techniques), 18

1. Shiko-Dachi Chudan-Zuki
2. Zenkutsu-Dachi Chudan-Zuki
3. Zenkutsu-Dachi Chudan-Geri Chudan-Zuki
4. Sokuto Kansetsu-Geri
5. Ten Shin
6. Zenkutsu-Dachi Gyakuzuki
7. Yoko-Geri
8. Kumite Style Gyakuzuki
9. Kumite Style Mawashi-Geri
10. Ushiro-Geri
11. Spinning Kentsui
12. Ura Mawashi-Geri
13. Spinning Ushiro-Geri
14. Kumite Style Ten Shin
15. Tobi Nidan-Geri
16. Shiko-Dachi Kakate
17. Spinning Mawashi-Geri
18. Spinning Ura Mawashi-Geri

Kumite

Jyu Kumite (free sparring): one round from Orange through Green/Brown, then two rounds from Brown/White on.

Rank by rank: what each rank adds

Flashcards

Built from the textbook's official written tests and answer key. Tap the card to flip it.

Oral Test Practice Quiz

25 random questions from all the written tests. Best score: 0%

6-Week Study Plan

• Week 1: Shiho, Ten, Kihon and Chi No Kata; all 13 stances; the 3 Tanren Ho exercises; Basics and Stances flashcards.
• Week 2: Heian Shodan to Godan; techniques 1–9; Terms and Body flashcards.
• Week 3: Jitte, Jin and Jion; techniques 10–18; Kumite and Language flashcards; Jyu Kumite rounds.
• Week 4: Jyuroku and Rohai; spinning and jumping kicks; History and Dojo flashcards.
• Week 5: All 14 kata in order, judged against the 7 kata criteria; full kihon run; take the quiz until you score 100%.
• Week 6: Mock test with a partner asking the questions in random order (like the oral test); help in beginner and intermediate classes; ask your instructor for a pre-test review.

A suggested plan, not part of the official requirements.