The following are the grading requirements for Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Australia.

GRADING REQUIREMENTS

Requirements to learn prior to promotion to the next level
Grading To Kata Yakusoku Kumite Tanshiki Kumite Other Minimum Time
Hakkyu (8)
Yellow Belt		 Naihanchin Sho no Kata Renshu Ichi 2 Self Defense
1st Group		 3 months
Rokkyu (6)
Orange Belt		 Happiken no Kata Renshu Ni 3 Self Defense
2nd Group		 3 months
Yonkyu (4)
Green Belt		 Nijushiho no Kata Nijushiho no Waza 4 Self Defense
Knife		 3 months
Sankyu (3)
Green Belt		 Naihanchin no Kata Itsutsu no Waza 5 Sundome Kumite 3 months
Nikyu (2)
Brown Belt		 Naihanchin no Kata; and
Gorin no Bo no Kata		 Sankakutobi Shodan no Ichi 5 Bogu Kumite 6 months
Ikkyu (1)
Brown/Black Tip		 Sanchin no Kata; and
Nijushiho no Sai no kata		 Sankakutobi Shodan no Ni 6 Bogu Kumite 9 months
Shodan Ho/
Junior Black Belt		 Seisan no Kata Sankakutobi Shodan no San 6 Bogu Kumite 9 months
Shodan
1st Black Belt		 Sankakutobi no Kata Sai Bo no Kumite 7 12 months
Nidan
2nd Black Belt		 Bassai no Kata; and
Shishiryu no Bo no Kata		 Sanchin no Waza 8 3 Years
Sandan
3rd Black Belt		 Chinto Sho no Kata; and
Ufuchiku no Jo no Kata		 Naihanchin no Waza 9 3 Years
Yondan
4th Black Belt		 Chinto no Kata Sankakutobi Nidan no Ichi
Sankakutobi Nidan no Ni
Sankakutobi Nidan no San		 10 3 Years
Godan
5th Black Belt		 Sochin no Kata Sankakutobi Sandan no Ichi
Sankakutobi Sandan no Ni
Sankakutobi Sandan no San
Sankakutobi Sandan no Yon
Sankakutobi Sandan no Go		 10 4 Years
Rokudan
6th Black Belt		 Kusanku no Kata Naihanchin no Waza Ni
Renzoku Kogeki (Te & Ashi Waza)		 12 N/A 5 Years

NB: Items listed at lower levels may be required at examiners discretion.

The decision as to when when a student is ready for grading is made by the student’s instructor.

Remember, Spiritual Development of Individuality in Mind and Body means that each student progresses at his or her own speed. Therefore, some students may grade quicker than others.

To attain the Shodan level, students must continue to be commited to training and teaching Shorinjiryu Karatedo for at least one year after being granted Shodan Ho.