My hardest Dan Examination

Today I thought I would write about my toughest DAN EXAMINATION… It was not the 六段 (Rokudan), but my 五段 (Godan), which was ‘by far’ the hardest.

Surprise Examination, yet again!!

There were many reasons why my Godan Examination was the hardest karate test in my life. The first reason was that—I wasn’t ready—because I didn’t expect it! Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei called me over to him (just minutes before the Dan Examination began) and, to my astonishment, said ``André kun, junbi undo!“ He then, gave me his infamous grin and gestured with a nod followed by pointing  to go outside and get ready 'ASAP'.

GOJUSHIHO DAI KATA

型  (KATA)

 Finally, when Sensei called my name, I ran back into the dojo. He 

then sharply questioned “Tokui-gata???”

MEIKYO KATA

 I announced “雲手” (Unsu). After ‘a very-very brief pause’ he said “No, no, no… Sandan, Yondan—Unsu. You must do 五十四歩大 (Gojushiho Dai) again”. To put this in context, Asai Sensei had also told me to test for Godan (in the previous year) and had also banned me from using Unsu at that time. So, in the prior year—I selected Gojushiho Dai—and, of course, he hadn’t forgotten that I used it). It was one of those “Oh shit” déjà

vu moments in life.

Kakuyoku Shodan

So, I had to demonstrate Gojushiho Dai again… After that, the syllabus of the time required that “…Godan examinees to demonstrate—a randomly called kata—from the 20 standard Shotokan kata (above the five Heian and Tekki Shodan)”. While in the previous year I had to perform 観空小(Kanku Sho), this time Sensei announced 明鏡 (Meikyo). However, the real shock was yet to come…

古典型  (KOTEN-GATA)

Zanshin after making a decisive jodan tsuki.

Kime with shuto uchi. Because of Asai Sensei`s training I love newaza.

Yay, I had completed the kata portion of the exam. But actually, that wasn’t the case…

Suddenly, Asai Sensei told me to do 鶴翼初段 (Kakuyoku Shodan); next 水手 (Suishu); and lastly, 八門 (Hachimon). In sum, it was five consecutive kata for the fifth dan, kind of appropriate I guess: four of which came completely out of the blue!!! The price of being an uchideshi!!!!!!

Knock down

組手  (KUMITE)

Yet another surprise then came.... Asai Sensei always gave the option to select either: (a) 自由組手 (Jiyu Kumite / Free sparring); or (b) 護身術 (Goshin jutsu / Self-defence). He then told me, “you must do both!” Needless to say, that was another first. More interestingly, in jiyu kumite, I was only allowed to defend, except when Sensei said I could attack. He also stressed that I needed to achieve ‘ippon technique’ on his demand—so the pressure was on. Consequently, I made sure that all opponents were downed and received a clear kimewaza. In the self-defence section of the exam, in addition to the classical iri-guchi-waza, I spontaneously utilized shihon-nukite, atama-uchi, kin-geri, shuto-uchi, haito-uchi, fumikomi, ushiro-keage, tsuki with nakadaka ippon-ken, and even kani-basami. 

Kime after a take down.

Pre-result: Asai Sensei told me what I should aim to achieve in my 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.

Free style kani basami, including ashi kake - both which are banned techniques in Judo. Asai Sensei loved both of them.

In sum, many who witnessed this exam—including Hawaii Chief Instructor Edward Fujiwara Sensei—said this was the most complex Godan examination that he had ever seen. The pass presented another surprise. At the time I physically passed the godan examination I was only 26 years old. The certified registration came just a few months after my 27th birthday. A few days after receiving my two diploma

s Asai Sensei called me and congratulated me again. He also told me that I was youngest ever to receive this rank from him and that he expected me to help preserve his karate. 

To conclude, yes it was my hardest Dan Examination, but like in all things “tough means gain”. I am in deep gratitude to Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei between 1993 and 2006 for his amazing physical training, constant mentorship and overall immense support of my karate path. Lastly, I'd like to thank Matt Brew Sensei for assisting me, at this time, and providing the images from this examination.

Asai Sensei - "Uchideshi pass. The youngest to attain Godan in the world ".

  © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).