UECHI-RYU KARATE STUDENT RESOURCES
ARTICLES
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GUIDELINES/INFORMATION
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RANK SYSTEM
The rank system for Uechi-Ryu Karate at ZenQuest is based on ten “Kyu” levels leading up to Black Belt, and ten “Dan” levels of Black Belt. The Kyu or non-black belt levels are as follows:
Jyukyu (10th level) - White Belt
Kyukyu (9th level) - White w/ Yellow Stripe
Hachikyu (8th level) - Yellow Belt
Nanakyu (7th level) - Yellow w/ Blue Stripe
Rokkyu (6th level) - Blue Belt
Gokyu (5th level) - Blue w/ Green Stripe
Yonkyu (4th level) - Green Belt
Sankyu (3rd level) - Green w/ Brown Stripe
Nikyu (2nd level) - Brown Belt
Ikkyu (1st level) - Brown w/ Black Stripe
Sempai (1st level) - Brown/ Black Belt (youth students)
Black Belt levels are issued directly from the Okinawa Karatedo Kyokai in Okinawa through the Chief Instructors at ZenQuest as follows:
Shodan (1st level) - Black Belt
Jun Shodan (1st level) - Junior Black Belt (youth students)
Nidan (2nd level) - Black Belt
Sandan (3rd level) - Black Belt
Yondan (4th level) - Black Belt
Godan (5th level) - Black Belt
Rokudan (6th level) - Black w/ Gold Stripe
Nanadan (7th level) - Black w/ 2 Gold Stripes
Hachidan (8th level) - Black w/ 3 Gold Stripes
Kyudan (9th level) - Black w/ 4 Gold Stripes
Jyudan (10th level) - Black w/ 5 Gold Stripes
Each rank level has requirements and standards that the student must meet. This includes the following:
> A minimum number of classes or duration of training since their last rank promotion
> Learning the compulsory material required for the rank (Kata, Techniques, General Knowledge, etc.)
> Development in the strategies and principles of the style
> Fostering good etiquette and conduct, and leadership in the Dojo
> Learning the general knowledge, background, and history of Uechi-Ryu
> Development as a person, and the principles of Mushin (clarity), Zanshin (awareness), and Fudoshin (stability.)
> Progress in the ability to perform in real world application (Kumite or sparring, Self-defense, and “de-escalation”)
Although it's important that the student have regular and consistent attendance, they should note that the minimum classes and duration of training is usually the least important consideration for rank promotions. The student should focus their efforts on the other requirements such as learning the material required, development in the strategies and principles of the style, and fostering good etiquette and conduct in the Dojo.
Jyukyu (10th level) - White Belt
Kyukyu (9th level) - White w/ Yellow Stripe
Hachikyu (8th level) - Yellow Belt
Nanakyu (7th level) - Yellow w/ Blue Stripe
Rokkyu (6th level) - Blue Belt
Gokyu (5th level) - Blue w/ Green Stripe
Yonkyu (4th level) - Green Belt
Sankyu (3rd level) - Green w/ Brown Stripe
Nikyu (2nd level) - Brown Belt
Ikkyu (1st level) - Brown w/ Black Stripe
Sempai (1st level) - Brown/ Black Belt (youth students)
Black Belt levels are issued directly from the Okinawa Karatedo Kyokai in Okinawa through the Chief Instructors at ZenQuest as follows:
Shodan (1st level) - Black Belt
Jun Shodan (1st level) - Junior Black Belt (youth students)
Nidan (2nd level) - Black Belt
Sandan (3rd level) - Black Belt
Yondan (4th level) - Black Belt
Godan (5th level) - Black Belt
Rokudan (6th level) - Black w/ Gold Stripe
Nanadan (7th level) - Black w/ 2 Gold Stripes
Hachidan (8th level) - Black w/ 3 Gold Stripes
Kyudan (9th level) - Black w/ 4 Gold Stripes
Jyudan (10th level) - Black w/ 5 Gold Stripes
Each rank level has requirements and standards that the student must meet. This includes the following:
> A minimum number of classes or duration of training since their last rank promotion
> Learning the compulsory material required for the rank (Kata, Techniques, General Knowledge, etc.)
> Development in the strategies and principles of the style
> Fostering good etiquette and conduct, and leadership in the Dojo
> Learning the general knowledge, background, and history of Uechi-Ryu
> Development as a person, and the principles of Mushin (clarity), Zanshin (awareness), and Fudoshin (stability.)
> Progress in the ability to perform in real world application (Kumite or sparring, Self-defense, and “de-escalation”)
Although it's important that the student have regular and consistent attendance, they should note that the minimum classes and duration of training is usually the least important consideration for rank promotions. The student should focus their efforts on the other requirements such as learning the material required, development in the strategies and principles of the style, and fostering good etiquette and conduct in the Dojo.
REFERENCE MEDIA
Kata
This first video features the late Master Shigeru Takamiyagi performing the three core kata routines in Uechi-Ryu Karate. This includes Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseiryu. This is a great reference for ZenQuest students to use in learning and perfecting these kata. Master Takamiyagi was Sensei Connie and Mark's direct teacher until he passed in 2013.
Master Takamiyagi performing the kata Kanshiwa . . .
Master Shinyu Gushi performing the kata Kanshu . . .
Shoko Tamanaka performing the katas Seichin and Seirui, and Asao Nakasone performing Seisan. They are senior students of the Chatan Dojo (ZenQuest's parent school in Okinawa) and both world champions in Kata competition . . .
Sensei Shinyu Gushi performing the kata Kanchin . . .
Sensei Takamiyagi performing Ryuko . . .
Sanchin kata with Kitae (body conditioning) performed by Sensei Hirokuni Yamashiro and student. This exercise is developed gradually based on the student's experience level.
Kumite Drills/ Yakusoku Kumite
Senseis Yoshiharu Matsushima & Nashiro Seiken performing Yakusoku Kumite Dai Ichi (first set of sparring drills)
Yakusoku Kumite Dai Ni (Second set of sparring drills) . . .