Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Ranks and Belt Colors:
Beginner (white belt)
Ro-Kyu (white belt with one green tip)
Go-Kyu (white belt with two green tips)
Yon-Kyu (green belt)
San-Kyu (green belt with brown tips)
Ni-Kyu (brown belt)
IK-Kyu (brown belt with black tips)
Sho-Dan (1st degree black belt)
Ni-Dan (2nd degree black belt)
San-Dan (3rd degree black belt)
Yon-Dan (4th degree black belt)
Go-Dan (5th degree black belt)
Roku-Dan (6th degree black belt)
Shichi-Dan (7th degree black belt)
Hachi-Dan (8th degree black belt)
Ku-Dan (9th degree black belt)
Ju-Dan (10th degree black belt)
Children Additional Belts:
A yellow belt may be awarded to children as an intermediate step between the ranks of Go-Kyu and Yon-Kyu. Orange belts may also be awarded to children as an intermediate step between the ranks of San-Kyu and Ni-Kyu. These intermediate steps help the young student mature further prior to their next rank. All students under 18 years of age are required to have colored belts with a white stripe along it (including Sho-Dan) to denote that they are a child. Upon their 18th birthday, solid color belts will be awarded.
Qualification requirements for testing and promotion are described in detail in the “The Shorin-Ryu Okinawa Karate Question and Answer Book” (aka the Red Book) on pages 78-79. Review and permission to test from your Sensei/Shihan is required in advance of the testing day.
All those testing must submit a paragraph or essay (younger children may submit a drawing) to their Sensei/Shihan describing their thoughts on karate. A testing fee must also be paid in advance of the test. Adult Yon-Kyu and above must also have their annual membership fee paid in full (annual membership fees are due in November of every calendar year). Those testing must wear a clean gi with the Shorin-Ryu patch correctly placed on the gi.
Testing Fees:
$10 for Ro-Kyu (White Belt with One Green Tip)
$20 for Go-Kyu (White Belt with Two Green Tips)
$25 for Yellow Belt (optional intermediate level for youth)
$60 for Yon-Kyu (Green Belt)
$30 for San-Kyu (Green Belt with Brown Tips)
$35 for Orange Belt (optional intermediate level for youth)
$80 for Ni-Kyu (Brown Belt)
$40 for Ik-Kyu (Brown Belt with Black Tips)
$200 for Dan (Black Belt Degree)
Testing Requirements per Rank:
Testing for White Belt Green Tips (Ro-Kyu and Go-Kyu):
Fukyugata Ichi (for Ro-Kyu); Fukyugata Ichi and Fukyugata Ni (for Go-Kyu)
Basic techniques: high block (jodan uke), chest block (chudun uke), low block forward leaning stance (zenkutsu dachi gedan barai uke), side-squat punch (oi zuki), front snap kick (mae geri)
Pushups: Men – 10 knuckle pushups, Women and Children – 10 pushups (modified, conventional, or knuckle)
10 punches from squatting position (jigotai-dachi)
Testing for Green Belt (Yon-Kyu):
Minimum of 6 months training
Fukyugata 1-3
Oyotanren
Yakusoku kumite 1
Breaking technique
Testing for Brown Tips (San-Kyu):
Minimum of 6 months training as Yon-Kyu
Fukyugata 1-3
Pinan 1-2
Yakusoku kumite 1-2
Testing for Brown Belt (Ni-Kyu):
Minimum of 12 months training as San-Kyu
Fukyugata 1-3
Pinan 1-5
Yakusoku kumite 1-3
Breaking technique
Testing for Black Tips (Ik-kyu):
Minimum of 12 months training as Ni-Kyu
Fukyugata 1-3
Pinan 1-5
Naihanchi 1
Yakusoku kumite 1-3
Testing for Black Belt (Sho-Dan):
Minimum of 12 months training as Ik-Kyu
Fukyugata 1-3
Pinan 1-5
Naihanchi 1-3
Ananku
Weapon Kata
Yakusoku kumite 1-4
Breaking technique
Any exception to the length of time necessary for the above ranks is at the discretion of the Shihan. All other prerequisites are at the discretion of Hanshi.