Grading syllabus and requirements to obtain the following belts:
White belt
Yellow stripe
Yellow belt
Orange belt
Green belt
Blue belt
Purple belt
Brown belt
Brown with white tag
Brown with double white tag
Black belt
White belt
There are no requirements to obtain the white belt in Shito Ryu Karate, however instructors expect a dedicated and enthusiastic student. It is a bonus to understand a basic Shito Ryu Karate history.
Yellow stripe
Tachi Kata (Stances)
• Heisoku Dachi
• Musubi Dachi
• Heiko Dachi
• Hachiji Dachi
• Moto Dachi
• Zenkutsu Dachi
Kihon
• Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi
o Mae te Zuki
o Gyaku Zuki
o Jodan Zuki
o Gedan Barai
o Chudan Yoko Uke
o Yoko Uchi Uke
o Jodan Age Uke
o Ushiro Ashi Mae Geri
• Heisoku Dachi
o Mae Geri
• Heiko Dachi & Hachiji Dachi
o Chudan Zuki
o Jodan Zuki
o Gedan Barai
o Chudan Yoko Uke
o Yoko Uchi Uke
o Jodan Age Uke
Ido Kihon (Moving Techniques)
• Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi
o Oi Zuki
o Gedan Barai
o Yoko Uke
o Chudan Uchi Uke
o Age Uke
Ashi Sabaki (Footwork), (Tempo Hassoku)
• Ayumi Ashi (Stepping)
• Mawari Ashi (Turning)
Kata (Form)
• Shiho Uke
• Juni No Kata
Yellow belt
Tachi Kata (Stances)
• Shiko Dachi
• Neko Ashi Dachi
Kihon
• Moto Dachi
o Jodan Shuto Uchi
o Shuto Yoko Uchi
• Moto Dachi
o Mae Geri
• Hachiji Dachi
o Uraken Uchi
o Uraken Yoko Uchi
o Hiji Yoko Uchi
o Ushiro Hiji Ate
o Mae Hiji Ate
o Kentsui Uchi
• Shiko Dachi
o Chudan Zuki
o Jodan Zuki
o Nido Zuki
o Hiji Otoshi Ate
o Chudan Hiji Ate
o Gedan Barai (to the sides)
o Shuto Gedan Barai (to the sides)
Ido Kihon (Moving Techniques)
• Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi (Moving Forward)o Oi Zuki
o Oi Gyaku Zuki
o Oi Mae Geri (Jun Mae Geri)
• Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi (Moving Forward & Backward & Backward in 45 degree)
o Gedan Barai
o Yoko Uke
o Chudan Uchi Uke
o Age Uke
• Shiko Dachi (Moving Forward & Backward & Backward in 45 degree)
o Gedan Barai
o Chudan Uchi Uke
o Shuto Gedan Barai
Renzoku Kihon (Combination Techniques)
• Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi
o Mae te Zuki, Gyaku Zuki
o Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki
o Yoko Uke, Gyaku Zuki
o Chudan Uchi Uke, Gyaku Zuki
o Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
• Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi
o Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki
o Yoko Uke, Gyaku Zuki
o Chudan Uchi Uke, Gyaku Zuki
o Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki • Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi (Moving Forward & Backward & Backward in 45 degree)
o Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki
o Yoko Uke, Gyaku Zuki
o Chudan Uchi Uke, Gyaku Zuki
o Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki
• Shiko Dachi
o Gedan Barai, switch to Zenkutsu Dachi and execute Gyaku Zuki
o Chudan Yoko Uke, switch to Zenkutsu Dachi and execute Gyaku Zuki
o Chudan Uchi Uke, switch to Zenkutsu Dachi and execute Gyaku Zuki
Kata (Form)
• Hiji Ate Go Ho
• Heian Nidan
Kumite (Sparring)
• Yakusoku Kihon Kumite or Kihon Ippon Kumite (pre-arranged basic sparring)
o Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki Yoko Uke, Gyaku Zuki Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki
Orange belt
Kihon
• Moto Dachi
o Otoshi Uke
o Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri
o Ushiro Ashi Mawashi Geri
• Hachiji Dachi
o Hiji Yoko Uchi
o Ushiro Hiji Ate
o Mae Hiji Ate
o Kentsui Uchi
• Neko Ashi Dachi
o Shuto Chudan Uke
o Chudan Yoko Chudan Uke
o Chudan Uchi Uke
o Mae Ashi Mae Geri
o Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri
• Hachiji Dachi
o YokoGeri
Ido Kihon (moving techniques)
o Zenkutsu Dachi Gedan Barai, Moving Forward on Moto Dachi Oi Zuki -> Back to Zenkutsu Dachi Gedan Barai
o Zenkutsu Dachi Yoko Uke, Moving Forward on Moto Dachi Oi Zuki -> Back to Zenkutsu Dachi Yoko Uke
o Zenkutsu Dachi Uchi Uke, Moving Forward on Moto Dachi Oi Zuki -> Back to Zenkutsu Dachi Uchi Uke
o Zenkutsu Dachi Age Uke, Moving Forward on Moto Dachi Oi Zuki -> Back to Zenkutsu Dachi Age Uke
Renzoku Kihon (Combination Techniques)
o From Yoi Position (Hachiji Dachi) Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri -> back to yoi position
o From Yoi Position (Hachiji Dachi) Neko Ashi Dachi Chudan Yoko Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri -> back to yoi position
o Moto Dachi Gedan Barai, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki
o Moto Dachi Yoko Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki
o Moto Dachi Uchi Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki
o Moto Dachi Age Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
o Neko Ashi Dachi Yoko Uke, Ushiro Ashi Mae Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Oi Zuki
o Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Chudan Uke, Mae Ashi Mae geri (Moving Forward & Backward & Backward in 45 degree)
Ashi Sabaki (Footwork), (Tempo Hassoku)
• Mae Sugi Ashi
• Ushiro Sugi Ashi
Tenshin Happo
• Nagashi Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki (To the Front “Mae”)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Uraken Uchi (To the back “Ato” or “Ushiro”)
Kata (Form)
• Heian Shodan
Kumite (Sparring)
• Yakusoku Kihon Kumite Or Ippon Kumite (pre-arranged basic sparring)
o Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki Yoko Uke, Gyaku Zuki Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki
• Kata Bunkai
o Heian Nidan
• Hokei Kumite
o Heian Nidan
Green belt
Kihon
• Shiko Dachi
o Chudan Hiji Uke
o Ni no Ude Uke
o Gedan Kote Uke
• Moto Dachi
o Furi Zuki
o Chudan Shotei Uke
oMaeAshiMawashiGeri
• Hachiji Dachi
o Ushiro Furi Zuki
• Neko Ashi Dachi
o Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
o Moto Dachi Ushiro Ashi Mae Geri Chudan, Back to Moto Dachi, with the same leg Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri Jodan
o Moto Dachi Ushiro Ashi Mae Geri Chudan, Back to Moto Dachi, with the same leg Ushiro Ashi Oi Mawashi Geri Jodan
o Moto Dachi Mae Ashi Mae Geri Chudan, Back to Moto Dachi, with the same leg Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri Jodan
o Moto Dachi Mae Ashi Mae Geri Chudan, Back to Moto Dachi, with the same leg Ushiro Ashi Oi Mawashi Geri Jodan
o Moto Dachi Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri Chudan, Back to Moto Dachi, with the same leg Ushiro Ashi Oi Mawashi Geri Jodan, Gyaku Zuki
o Neko Ashi Dachi Chudan Yoko Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri Chudan, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri Chudan, Moto Dachi Oi Zuki
o Moto Dachi Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri, Back to Moto Dachi, with the same leg Ushiro Ashi Oi Mawashi Geri
• Shiko Dachi (Moving Forward & Moving Backward)
o Gedan Barai, switch to Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki
o Chudan Uchi Uke, switch to Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki
o Shuto Gedan Barai, switch to Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki
Ashi Sabaki (Footwork), (Tempo Hassoku)
• Ayumi Ashi Mae Naname
• Ayumi Ashi Ushiro Naname
• Sugi Ashi Mae Naname
• Sugi Ashi Ushiro Naname
• Mae Yori Ashi
• Ushiro Yori Ashi
• Fumikae Ashi
Tenshin Happo
• Nagashi Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki (Mae)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Uraken Uchi (Ushiro)
• Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri (Ushiro Naname)
Kata (Form)
• Heian Sandan
Kumite (Sparring)
• Yakusoku Kihon Kumitei
• Nihon Kumite o Gedan Barai Age Uke Gyaku zuki
o Gedan Barai on Shiko Dachi Yoko Uke on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
• Kata Bunkai
o Heian Shodan
• Hokei Kumite
o Heian Shodan
Blue belt
Kihon
• Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi
o Gedan Kosa Uke
o Jodan Kaishu Kosa Uke
o Hiji Sasae Uke
o Yoko Barai
Tachi Kata (Stance)
o Kosa Dachi
o Naifanchi Dachi
Ido Kihon (Moving Techniques)
• Naifanchi Dachi Yoko Gamae
o Yoko Geri to the side moving sideward with Kosa Ashi
Renzoku Kihon (Combination Techniques)
o Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Chudan Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
o Neko Ashi Dachi Chudan Yoko Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
o Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Chudan Uke, Mae Ashi Jodan Mawashi Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
o Moto Dachi, Mae Ashi Mae Geri Chudan, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Oi Zuki
o Moto Dachi, Mae Ashi Chudan Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mawashi Geri Jodan, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
o Moto Dachi, Mae Ashi Chudan Mae Geri, Ushiro Ashi Oi Yoko Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
o Moto Dachi, Ushiro Ashi Mae Geri, Ushiro Ashi (Same leg) Oi Mawashi Geri, Gyaku Zuki on Moto Dachi
o Moto Dachi, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri, Ushiro Ashi same leg Oi Mawashi Geri, followed by Ushiro Ashi Oi Yoko Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
Ashi Sabaki (Footwork), (Tempo Hassoku)
• Hiraki Yose Ashi
• Hiraki Kosa Ashi
• Okuri Ashi
• Tobi Ashi
Tenshin Happo
• Nagashi Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki (Mae)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Uraken Uchi (Ushiro)
• Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri (Ushiro Naname)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Chudan Zuki (Mae Naname)
• Shiko Dachi, Ni no Ude Uke or Gedan Kote Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki (applying to the sides)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Shotei Uke, Chudan Zuki
Kata (Form)
• Heian Yondan
Kumite (Sparring)
• Uchi Komi or Jyu Ippon Kumite (Pre-arranged sparring in Jyu Gamae) • Kata Bunkai
o Heian Sandan
• Hokei Kumite
o Heian Sandan
• Shiai Kumite (Point Sparring)
Purple belt
Kihon
• Moto Dachi
o Ashi Barai
• Heisoku Dachi & Moto Dachi
o Ushiro Geri
Tachi Kata (Stance)
o Uki Ashi Dachi
o Kokutsu Dachi
Renzoku Kihon (Combination Techniques)
o Moto dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Geri to the front, Yoko Geri to the side (with one leg)
o Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Geri to the front, Mawashi Geri to the front (with one leg)
o Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Geri to the front, Ushiro Geri to the back(with one leg)
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
o Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mawashi Geri, Moto Dachi Oi zuki(stepping forward)
o Neko Ashi Dachi Chudan Yoko Uke, Ushiro Ashi Mae Geri landing on Moto Dachi Chudan Oi Zuki
o Neko Ashi Dachi Chudan Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Yoko Gari to the front landing on Moto Dachi Chudan Gyaku Zuki
Ashi Sabaki (Footwork), (Tempo Hassoku)
• Tobi Ashi
Tenshin Happo
• Nagashi Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki (Mae)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Uraken Uchi (Ushiro)
• Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri (Ushiro Naname)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Chudan Zuki (Mae Naname)
• Shiko Dachi, Ni no Ude Uke or Gedan Kote Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki (applying to the sides)
Kata (Form)
• Heian Godan
• Juroku
Kumite (Sparring)
• Uchi Komi or Jyu Ippon Kumite (Pre-arranged sparring in Jyu Gamae)
• Kata Bunkai
o Heian Yondan
• Hokei Kumite
o Heian Yondan
• Shiai Kumite (Point Sparring)
Brown belt
Kihon (Basics)
• Moto Dachi
o Ura Mawashi Geri
o Ushiro Ura Mawashi Geri
oFumiKomi
Tachi Kata (Stance)
o Sagi Ashi Dachi
o Sanchin Dachi
o Fukai Zenkutsu Dachi
Renzoku Kihon (Combination Techniques)
o Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Geri to the front, Yoko Geri to the side, Ushiro Geri to the back(with one leg)
o Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Geri to the front, Yoko Geri to the side, Mawashi Geri to the front(with one leg)
o Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Ushiro Ashi Oi Yoko Geri to the front, turning and executing Ushiro Geri landing on Moto Dachi
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
o Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri Chudan, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri, Ushiro Ashi Oi Yoko Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
Tenshin Happo
• Nagashi Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki (Mae)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Uraken Uchi (Ushiro)
• Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri (Ushiro Naname)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Chudan Zuki (Mae Naname)
• Shiko Dachi, Ni no Ude Uke or Gedan Kote Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki (applying to the sides)
Kata (Form)
• Naifanchi Shodan
• Aoyagi
• Sanchin
• Shinsei Ni
Kumite (Sparring)
• Uchi Komi or Jyu Ippon Kumite (Pre-arranged sparring in Jyu Gamae)
• Kata Bunkai
o Heian Godan
o Juroku
• Hokei Kumite
o Heian Godan
• Shiai Kumite (Point Sparring)
Brown with white tag
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
• Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri Chudan, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri, Ushiro Ashi Oi Yoko Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
• Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri Chudan, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mae Geri, Ushiro Ashi Oi Mawashi Geri, landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
• Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae, Mae Ashi Mae Geri Chudan, Ushiro Ashi Oi Yoko Geri, following with Ushiro Geri landing on Moto Dachi Gyaku Zuki
• Neko Ashi Dachi Chudan Yoko Uke, Ushiro Ashi Mae Geri put it back to Zenkutsu Dachi and with left hand Jodan Age Uke, then forward to Moto Dachi Oi Zuki
Tenshin Happo
• Nagashi Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki (Mae)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Uraken Uchi (Ushiro)
• Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri (Ushiro Naname)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Chudan Zuki (Mae Naname)
• Shiko Dachi, Ni no Ude Uke or Gedan Kote Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki (applying to the sides)
Kata (Form)
• Bassai Dai
• Koshokun Dai
• Matsukaze
• Shinsei
Kumite (Sparring)
• Uchi Komi or Jyu Ippon Kumite (Pre-arranged sparring in Jyu Gamae)
• Kata Bunkai
o Heian Godan
o Naifanchi Shodan
• Shiai Kumite (Point Sparring)
Brown with double white tag
Renzoku Kihon (Combination Techniques)
• Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae kicking with one leg
o Mae Geri to the front
o Yoko Geri to the side
o Mawashi Geri to the front
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
• Moto Dachi & Zenkutsu Dachi (stepping forward & stepping backward)
o Gendan Barai Gyaku Zuki, Chudan Yoko Uke Gyaku Zuki, Chudan Uchi Uke Gyaku Zuki, Jodan Age Uke Gyaku Zuki
• Neko Ashi Dachi Chudan Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri (stepping forward & stepping backward)
Tenshin Happo
• Nagashi Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi Gyaku Zuki (Mae)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Uraken Uchi (Ushiro)
• Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Uke, Mae Ashi Mae Geri (Ushiro Naname)
• Shiko Dachi Chudan Uchi Uke, Chudan Zuki (Mae Naname)
• Shiko Dachi, Ni no Ude Uke or Gedan Kote Uke, Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki (applying to the sides)
Kata (Form)
• Seienchin
• Jitte
• Jion
Kumite (Sparring)
• Uchi Komi or Jyu Ippon Kumite (Pre-arranged sparring in Jyu Gamae)
• Kata Bunkai
o Bassai Dai
• Shiai Kumite (Point Sparring)
Black belt
Renzoku Kihon (Combination Techniques)
• Moto Dachi Chudan Gamae kicking with one leg
o Mae Geri to the front
o Yoko Geri to the side
o Mawashi Geri to the front
Renzoku Ido Kihon (Combination Moving Techniques)
o Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto Chudan Uke, Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri Jodan, Ushiro Ashi Yoko Geri to the front, stepping forward and execute Oi Zuki on Moto Dachi
Kata (Form)
• Shitei Kata
o Bassai Dai
o Seienchin
• Optional Katas
o Matsumura Ha Rohai
o Jiin
Kumite (Sparring)
• Uchi Komi (Yakusoku Jyu Ippon Kumite) (Pre-arranged sparring in Jyu Gamae)
• Kata Bunkai
o Bassai Dai
• Shiai Kumite (Point Saprring)
• Hokei Kumite
o Heian Shodan to Godan (Will be at the Dscretion of the examiner)