Appendix F

IOGKF

KYU GRADING REQUIREMENTS

Adult Kyu Grading Kata & Bunkai Requirement

Rank Kata Bunkai

to
10 th

Kyu
9th Kyu Gekisai Dai Ichi – sequence
8th Kyu Gekisai Dai Ichi – good
form
Gekisai Dai Ni - sequence
7th Kyu Gekisai Dai Ni – good form Gekisai Dai Ichi
Sanchin - sequence
6th Kyu Saifa – sequence Gekisai Dai Ni
5th Kyu Saifa – good form Saifa
Sanchin – good form
4th Kyu Seiyunchin – sequence Gekisai Dai Ichi Renzoku
Bunkai
3rd Kyu Seiyunchin – good form Seiyunchin (first 6
bunkai)
2nd Kyu Shisochin – sequence Seiyunchin (last 6
bunkai)
1st Kyu Shisochin – good form
Shodan Shisochin
 THE WAY TO 10TH KYU

Welcome to the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF). This is your
first step for the long journey toward mastering traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. Please
remember your excitement and the fresh feeling that you have now throughout your journey,
which we call “beginners mind”.

The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 10 th kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 16
Minimum length of training – 2 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and have an
understanding of etiquette

kihon waza (basic techniques) unsoku ho (foot work)

jodan age uke (upper rising block) zenkutsu dachi
chudan (soto) yoko uke (middle /out/ side
block) hojo undo (supplemental training)
gedan harai uke / gedan barai (lower makiwara (focus pad)
sweeping block) gyaku zuki (reverse punch)
seiken zuki (proper fist punch) mae geri (front kick)
mae geri (front kick) mawashi geri (roundhouse kick)
mawashi geri (roundhouse kick)

tachi kata (stances)

musubi dachi (ready stance)
heiko dachi (parallel stance)
zenkutsu dachi (front stance)

General knowledge & terminology

 onegai shimasu (please teach/help me)
 arigato gozaimashita (thank you for teaching/helping me)
 sayonara (good bye)
 sensei (teacher/instructor)
 senpai (senior students)
 kohai (junior students)
 hai Sensei (yes, teacher)
 karate (literally means empty hands, you will find out what is this through your training)
 dojo (martial arts school)
 gi/dogi (training uniform)
 obi (belt)
 jodan, chudan, gedan (upper level, middle level, lower level)
 there are many different styles of karate, but we train Goju-Ryu karate

History
 karate came from Okinawa, Japan

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 9TH KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to the 10th kyu. Now you are officially part of the yukyu-sha
(kyu ranked members; black belt members are called yudan-sha). Train hard and do not forget
the beginner’s mind.
The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 9 th kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 20
Minimum length of training since last grading – 2 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and have an
understanding of etiquette

kihon waza (basic techniques) ido (moving basics)

uraken uchi (back fist strike; front, side & oi zuki (lunge punch)
back) gyaku zuki (reverse punch)
shuto uchi (knife hand strike, upper level jodan age uke (upper rising block)
side) chudan yoko uke (middle outside block)
age hiji ate (rising elbow strike) gedan harai uke (lower sweeping block)
nami gaeshi (foot sweep & stamp) mae geri (front kick)
shikodachi gedan harai uke (lower sweeping mawashi geri (roundhouse kick)
block with straddle leg stance)
kata
tachi kata (stances) Gekisai Dai Ichi (sequence)
shiko dachi (straddle leg stance)
han zenkutsu dachi (half front stance) kumite
hachiji dachi (natural stance, toes slightly basic blocks with partner (jodan, chudan,
out) gedan)

unsoku ho (foot work) hojo undo (supplemental training)

han zenkutsu dachi makiwara - uraken uchi, jodan yoko shuto
shiko dachi uchi, chudan age hiji ate
heiko dachi suri ashi (sideways, forward & kakato otoshi
backward) kakato geri

General knowledge & terminology

 Shugo (line up)
 Hajime (begin)
 Yame (stop)
 Yoi (ready)
 Kamae (fighting pose)
 Semete (attacker)
 Ukete (defender)
 terminology from previous kyu level
History
 Hand to hand combat (karate) was developed when the government banned the carrying
of weapons in Okinawa
 Previously karate was taught secretly, and the sensei would carefully observe the
person's character before he accepted him as a student
Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 8TH KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to the 9th kyu. It’s about time for you to learn the details of
Gekisai Dai Ichi kata and some of basic kumite (sparring) techniques.
The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 8 th kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 24
Minimum length of training since last grading – 2 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and have an
understanding of etiquette
kihon waza (basic techniques) ido (moving basics)
chudan ura zuki (middle level short punch) jodan oi zuki, chudan gyaku zuki
jodan age zuki (upper cut) mae geri, gyaku zuki
sanbon zuki (triple punch) mawashi geri, gyaku zuki
hiza geri (knee kick) jodan age uke, gyaku zuki
chudan hiki uke (middle level pulling block) chudan yoko uke, gyaku zuki
tora guchi (tiger mouth block) gedan harai uke, gyaku zuki
sanbon uke (triple block) shiko dachi gedan harai uke
one men sandan gi
tachi kata (stances)
neko ashi dachi (cat stance) kata
Gekisai Dai Ichi (detail)
unsoku ho (foot work) Gekisai Dai Ni (sequence)
heiko dachi twist 90 degrees back
neko ashi dachi suri ashi (forward, kumite
backward, sideways) kihon ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, gedan)
sonoba sandan gi

hojo undo (supplemental training)

makiwara - hiza geri, jodan age zuki, chudan
ura zuki
ukemi (mae & ushiro)

General knowledge & terminology

International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do kata
Federation (IOGKF) kihon
kenkon/tenchi kiai
mon zuki / tsuki
count to 10 in Japanese uchi
shitsurei shimasu geri / keri
moichido terminology from previous kyu levels
karate-ka
History
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi (1888 - 1953) - founder of Goju-Ryu.
 Sensei Kanryo Higaonna (1853 - 1915) - teacher of Sensei Chojun Miyagi, who went to
China to practice Southern Chinese Martial Arts, founder of Naha-Te.
 Ryu Ryu Ko - Chinese Martial Arts (Southern Shaolin Style) Master, teacher of Sensei
Kanryo Higaonna.

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 7TH KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to the 8th kyu. Now you will start learning the most important kata
(fundamental kata) in our style, SANCHIN. The movements of this kata look very simple and easy.
But you will find this kata difficult even after you get your black belt. You will also begin learning the
applications of kata (bunkai).

The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 7th kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 30
Minimum length of training since last grading – 3 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and understanding
of etiquette

kihon waza (basic techniques)

kizami zuki (snap punch) kata
yoko geri (side kick) Gekisai Dai Ni (detail)
kin geri (groin kick) Sanchin (sequence)
fumikomi geri (stamping kick)
chudan uchi uke (middle level inside block) bunkai
gedan uchi uke (lower level inside block) Gekisai Dai Ichi

tachi kata (stances) kumite

sanchin dachi (hourglass stance/sanchin sandan gi
stance) basic block with partner – hiki uke
kakie – basic
unsoku ho (foot work) ippon kumite
sanchin dachi chudan uchi uke, jodan age zuki
neko ashi dachi (turn, 45 degrees forward & gedan uchi uke, chudan gyaku zuki
backward) chudan hiki uke, chudan mawashi
geri, chudan gyaku zuki
ido (moving basics) ude tanren (kote gitae) chudan gedan inside
hiza geri & outside
yoko geri
mae geri, mawashi geri, gyaku zuki hojo undo (supplemental training)
hiki uke, gyaku zuki makiwara - yoko geri, kingeri, kizami zuki
tai otoshi

General knowledge & terminology

seiza shomen/shimoza
mokuso joseki/shimoseki
dojo kun The main purpose of martial training is to
mae/yoko/migi/hidari/ushiro/naname improve yourself physically, mentally and
ashi kaete spiritually
Terminology from previous kyu levels
History
 Sensei Anichi Miyagi - Direct/last student of Sensei Chojun Miyagi, and teacher of Sensei
Morio Higaonna
 Sensei Morio Higaonna - 1st Chairman and International Chief Instructor of IOGKF
 IOGKF was formed in 1979 by Sensei Morio Higaonna
 Bodhi Dharma - 5th century Zen Buddhist monk who had a major influence on development
of martial arts

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 6TH KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to the 7th kyu. Now, you will learn Saifa kata, which has many
unique whip-like techniques and a one leg stance call “sagi ashi dachi (stork stance)”. This will be a
big challenge and it will be fun to learn Saifa kata. You are going to the intermediate level and will
start studying the art in depth.

The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 6th kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 35
Minimum length of training since last grading – 3 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and understanding
of etiquette
kihon waza (basic techniques) kata
tateken zuki (vertical fist punch) Saifa (sequence)
haito uchi (ridge hand strike)
ushiro geri (back kick) bunkai
sukui uke (scooping block) Gekisai Dai Ni
kaishu gedan harai uke (open hand lower level
sweeping block) kumite
basic block – chudan uchi uke, gedan uchi uke,
tachi kata (stances) jodan shotei uchi uke
sagi ashi dachi (stork stance) ude tanren combination
hachiji sabaki (chudan uchi uke, gedan uchi
unsoku ho (foot work) uke)
sagi ashi dachi (side step) kakie with suri ashi
kakie with balance breaking techniques
ido (moving basic) irikumi ju
mae geri, mawashi geri, yoko geri
chudan uchi uke, jodan age zuki hojo undo (supplemental training)
gedan uchi uke, chudan ura zuki makiwara – tateken zuki, haito uchi, ushiro geri
yoko geri (hachiji dachi, side step) ten tsuki (single hand, double hands)
shiko dachi gedan harai uke, zenkutsu dachi furi sute
chudan gyaku zuki, shiko dachi gedan harai ukemi (yoko, mae, kaiten)
uke

General knowledge & terminology

kime gorei nashi
budo mawatte
do irikumi
honbu reigi/reishiki
yudansha Difference between karate and karate-do
mudansha Terminology from previous kyu levels
waza
History
 Four major Japanese karate styles, Goju-Ryu, Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, Shito-Ryu.
 Sensei Jin’an Shinzato – the top student, uchi deshi, and intended successor of Sensei Chojun
Miyagi, died during World War II.
 Goju-Ryu was the first official style name in all karate styles.
 Karate was originally called "te” (martial arts) or "tode” (Chinese martial arts) in Okinawa.

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 5TH KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to the 6th kyu. At this level, you should be able to conduct the
opening and closing ceremonies. You may start helping other junior students, so make sure all your
manners, terminology and techniques are correct.

The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 5th kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 35
Minimum length of training since last grading – 3 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and understanding
of etiquette
kihon waza (basic techniques) bunkai
mawashi hiji ate (roundhouse elbow strike) Saifa
ushiro hiji ate (back elbow strike)
\
kumite
Ido (moving basics) basic block – sukui uke, kaishu gedan harai uke
chudan uchi uke, haito uchi kakie – kote gaeshi
gedan uchi uke, jodan tateken zuki kakie – Gekisai Dai Ni hiki uke bunkai (nodo
neko ashi dachi, hiki uke tsukami)
neko ashi dachi, hiki uke, mae ashi kin geri thigh conditioning
neko ashi dachi, hiki uke, zenkutsu dachi, stomach conditioning
gyaku zuki, neko ashi dachi, hiki uke
hojo undo (supplemental training)
kata makiwara – mawashi hiji ate, ushiro hiji ate
Saifa (good kata) chiishi – front & back/side to side
Sanchin (good form) neko undo

General knowledge & terminology

dojo kun in Japanese and its meaning Characteristics of Goju-Ryu (close fighting, hojo
opening & closing ceremony in Japanese undo, circular movements, Southern Chinese
gasshuku martial arts influence, Sanchin, unique breathing
zenshin method)
kotai Main objective of IOGKF is to preserve
kyu traditional Goju-Ryu karate as an intangible
dan cultural treasure and pass it on to the next
ryu generation. By teaching karate, we educate
Traditional Japanese martial arts (karate-do, judo, people to be better human beings and to make
kendo, aikido, jujutsu, kobudo) society a better place to live
Terminology from previous kyu levels

History
 Your own lineage
 Sensei Anichi Miyagi started training karate under Sensei Chojun Miyagi after World War II
 Sensei Shuichi Aragaki - Direct student of Sensei Chojun Miyagi, trained with Sensei Anichi
Miyagi, IOGKF technical advisor
 Three major Okinawan karate styles were Naha-Te, Shuri-Te, Tomari-Te

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 4TH KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to 5th kyu. Now you will learn Seiyunchin kata. This kata is very
unique with a variety of movements. There are no kicks in this kata, but you will find out that it
makes your legs stronger. The kata has both smooth heavy sticky movements (muchimi) and spring-
like fast movements (chiru no chan chan).
The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 4th kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 40
Minimum length of training since last grading – 3 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and have proper
dojo etiquette

kihon waza (basic techniques) kumite

shotei zuki (palm heel thrust) kakie - Gekisai Dai Ichi #4 (shuto uchi)
shuto uchi (front- jodan, gedan) kakie – seiken zuki (jodan, chudan, gedan)
tobi mae geri (jumping front kick) kakie – jodan shuto uchi
kakie – chudan age hiji ate
tachi kata (stances) kakie – jodan mawashi hiji ate
bensoku dachi (cross leg stance) kakie – gedan kin geri
renoji dachi (checkmark stance) shoulder conditioning
back conditioning
Ido (moving basics)
jodan mawashi hiji ate, jodan uraken uchi, hojo undo (supplemental training)
chudan ura zuki makiwara (focus pad) – shotei zuki, shuto uchi,
jodan shotei uchi, shuto uchi tobi mae geri
chiishi - rotate & push
kata chiishi - swing around body & pick up
Seiyunchin (sequence) nigiri game - Sanchin step

bunkai
Gekisai Dai Ichi renzoku bunkai

General knowledge & terminology

junbi undo morote
hojo undo morote waza
makiwara bushi (means samurai warrior in main land
gyaku waza Japan, superb martial artist in Okinawa)
hazushi waza kobudo (bo, sai, nunchaku, kama)
nage waza vital points - chest & stomach area
ne waza terminology from previous kyu levels
zanshin
History
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi created Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Tensho kata, junbi undo and
zenshin kotai Sanchin
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi created Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni in 1940's to promote karate to
the younger generation
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi named his martial art "Goju-Ryu" from one of eight martial arts
principals (poems) from Bubishi
 Sensei Kanryo Higaonna went to Fuzou, China to learn martial arts when he was about 15
years old
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi and Sensei Kanryo Higaonna were called "bushi (superb martial
artist)" in Okinawan society
 Kobudo was developed for the same reason as karate, as weapons were banned

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 3rd KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to 4th kyu. You are one step before the advanced kyu level (brown
belt). Now I want you to look back and see how far you have come from the day you started karate
training. You have come a long way. But at the same time, you should be able to see how far you can
go and improve yourself. Remember what I said on the way to 10th kyu, “Don’t forget the beginner’s
mind”. Many people feel that they know a lot when they get to this level. You have to be humble
enough to realize that you don’t know anything yet. Nothing can be added to a full bucket.

The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 3rd kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 45
Minimum length of training since last grading – 4 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and have proper
dojo etiquette

kihon waza (basic techniques) kata

nukite zuki (knife hand punch) jodan, chudan, Seiyunchin (good kata)
gedan Sanchin (good form & breathing)
furi zuki (swing punch)
kaiten ushiro geri (spinning back kick) bunkai
Seiyunchin (first 6 bunkai)
tachi kata (stances)
heisoku dachi (feet together stance) kumite
sandan gi – suri ashi
unsoku ho (foot work)
bensoku dachi hojo undo (supplemental training)
renoji dachi makiwara – furi zuki, kaiten ushiro geri
chiishi – swing & thrust with naname shiko
ido dachi
mae geri, mawashi geri, kaiten ushiro geri chiishi – squeeze (up, down & rotate, forward)
mae geri, mawashi geri, yoko geri, kaiten
ushiro geri

General knowledge & terminology

renzoku chin kuchi kakin
kenpo hakku shime jurasan
heijo shin (fudo shin) there are 12 kata in Goju-Ryu
sabaki / tai sabaki vital points – face area
shihan Asian martial arts, taekwondo (Korea), wushu,
Bubishi tai chi (China), Muay Thai kick boxing
muchimi (Thailand)
chiru no chan chan terminology from previous kyu levels

History
 Sensei Kanryo Higaonna and Sensei Chojun Miyagi taught only Sanchin and hojo undo to
their students for the first couple of years of their training
 Sensei Ryuko Aragaki - first karate teacher of Sensei Chojun Miyagi, grandfather of Sensei
Shuichi Aragaki
 Naha-Te, the martial art form that Sensei Kanryo Higaonna taught
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi went to China for the first time in 1915

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 2nd KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to 3rd kyu. Now you are a brown belt, an advanced kyu level
student. You will learn Shisochin kata, which is the last kata before your black belt grading. Yes, it’s
time for you to start preparing for your black belt grading. Make sure that you have good basics, kata,
kumite as well as a good understanding of Goju-Ryu philosophy, history and manners. We
recommend going through all the techniques, history and terminology from 10th kyu.

The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 2nd kyu.
Minimum number of classes – 45
Minimum length of training since last grading – 4 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and have proper
dojo etiquette

kihon kumite
kagi zuki (hook punch) basic blocks with partner – jodan ko uke
kansetsu geri (joint kick) sandan gi – open hand blocks
jodan ko uke (upper level wrist block) kakie – hiji tori (Shisochin)
kakie – jodan ude garami
ido ippon kumite
jodan oi zuki, jodan furi zuki chudan hiki uke, kansetsu geri
jodan oi zuki, chudan gyaku zuki, jodan kaki chudan yoko uke, jodan kagi zuki
zuki
neko ashi dachi, kaishu sandan uke hojo undo (supplemental training)
makiwara – furi zuki, kagi zuki
kata kongo ken – twist
Shisochin (sequence) kongo ken – lift up
Sanchin (good kata) kongo ken – shiko dachi squat

bunkai
Seiyunchin (last 6 bunkai)

General knowledge & terminology

kaishu gata vital points – arm & hand
heishu gata Tournament terminology (hajime, yame,
sho dan, ni dan, san dan, yon dan, go dan, rok tsuzukete hajime, jogai, atenaiyoni, tsukami,
udan, shichi dan, hachi dan, kyu dan, ju dan mubobi, keikoku, hansoku chui, shikkaku,
ritsu rei hantei, aka, shiro)
za rei terminology from previous kyu levels
hoshin

History
 Sensei Kanryo Higaonna's nickname was "ashi (legs) no Higaonna" because of his superb
kicking techniques
 Both Sensei Kanryo Higaonna and Chojun Miyagi taught karate at Naha Shogyo Koko (Naha
Commercial High School)
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi created Tensho kata in 1926 from the Chinese form called Rokkishu
 Sensei Kanryo Higaonna is the among the first to teach karate publicly

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO 1st KYU
Congratulations on your promotion to 2nd kyu. The biggest goal of the majority of people who
start karate is to become a black belt. You are almost there. All the years of hard training finally
have brought you to be one step before black belt level. Start preparing for your black belt
grading physically, technically and mentally. A black belt grading is different than any other kyu
grading.

The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – 1 st kyu
Minimum number of classes – 50
Minimum length of training since last grading – 4 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and have
proper dojo etiquette

kihon kumite
jodan haishu/haiwan age uke (upper level basic block with partner – jodan haishu age
back hand rising block) uke, chudan haishu otoshi uke
chudan haishu/haiwan otoshi uke (middle sandan gi – neko ashi dachi open hand block
level back hand dropping block) niohn kumite (two attacks sparring)
ido
neko ashi dachi chudan haishu otoshi uke hojo undo (supplemental training)
neko ashi dachi chudan hiki uke, mae ashi kongo ken – chest & shoulder push
kin geri, zenkutsu dachi chudan gyaku zuki, kongo ken – catch & push (two men)
neko ashi dachi chudan hiki uke Ishi sashi – Shisochin, nukite zuki
neko ashi dachi chudan chudan haishu otoshi Ishi sashi – Shisochin shotei zuki
uke, mae ashi kin geri, zenkutsu dachi ishi sashi – shiko dachi open and close
chudan gyaku zuki, neko ashi dachi chudan Ishi sashi – bent over open & close
haishu otoshi uke

kata
Shisochin (good kata)

General knowledge & terminology

uchi deshi haisoku
unsoku ho tsumasaki
josokutei kasokutei
kakato vital points – leg & foot
sokuto terminology from previous kyu levels

History
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi's childhood name was "Machu"
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi introduced the kongoken after observing professional wrestlers
training with it in Hawaii
 In 1915, Sensei Chojun Miyagi traveled to China first time for his research of martial arts
 In 1934, Sensei Chojun Miyagi traveled to Hawaii to promote karate

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.
 THE WAY TO SHODAN
Congratulations on your promotion to 1st kyu. By now, you should have learned all of the basic
skills and knowledge to become a black belt. At this stage, you have to prepare yourself for your
upcoming black belt grading. Make sure all of your basic techniques are in good shape, work on
small details in kata, and understand the terminology and history, and manners, inside and outside
of the dojo. Ask your sensei or senpai to check your kata and bunkai. This is the time that you
have to find out all of your bad habits and correct them.

The following is the list of requirements for you to go to the next level – shodan
Minimum length of training since last grading – 6 months
Have sufficient understanding of the following techniques, knowledge, terminology and have
proper dojo etiquette
unsoku ho kakie – awase zuki (Gekisai Dai Ichi)
neko ashi dachi shiho sabaki (four direction kakie – toraguchi oshi (Gekisai Dai Ni)
step) kakie – gedan ude garami
kakie – ashi garami
bunkai kakie – hiji tori, ashi garami
Shisochin jiyu ippon kumite (free one attack sparring)

kumite hojo undo (supplemental training)

kakie – shuto uchi nage (Gekisai Dai Ichi), udetate ryoashi ashi geri otoshi
kakie – gedan mae geri, chudan age hiji ate, kusshin tobi (squat jump)
uraken uchi (Gekisai Dai Ichi) nigiri game – shiko dachi
nigiri game – neko ashi dachi

General knowledge & terminology

 body parts in Japanese
 vital point – front
 terminology from previous kyu levels

History
 Sensei Chojun Miyagi went to Shanghai, China in 1936 for research and to build
friendships with Chinese martial artists
 In 1926, Sensei Chojun Miyagi established the Karate Kenkyu Club in Naha with masters
from other Okinawa karate styles, Chomo Hanashiro, Choyu Motobu, and Kenwa
Mabuni
 The purpose of the Karate Kenkyu Club was to ensure the preservation of karate as an
intangible cultural treasure in Okinawa for all time, to bring the karate community of the
island into one cohesive force, to transmit traditional karate to future generations both in
Okinawa and elsewhere, and to elevate karate in the eyes of the Japanese, bringing it to
the level already enjoyed by judo and kendo.

Once your sensei feels you are ready, then you will be invited to grade.