HOW TO ATTAIN DAN FROM IKS

I AM VERY STRICT ON THE TRANSFER OF DAN; THAT IS, THE ACCREDITATION OF AN I.K.S DAN DIPLOMA: VIA APPLICATION

This post will outline how to get DAN from INTERNATIONAL KARATE SHOTOKAN.

  

There are only two ways to do this: (1) By having a Japan recognized diploma; and/or (2) via personal contact. For example, someone who does not hold a Japan recognized diploma but is checked here at the dojo and their level is verified firsthand.

Without either of these, to attain Dan from the International Karate Shotokan, one must take a physical examination.

My reason for writing this is that literally dozens of people, over the last few months, have applied to transfer Dan—who do not have acceptable certification. I am by no means being nasty, but we cannot accept such diplomas for transfer: as it would undermine our group. Before sending an application and a copy of your Dan certificate please read on…

Examples of official recognized diplomas include those signed by Japan-based organizations and signed/stamped by world renown instructors. For example, if you have a JKA Diploma signed by Tanaka Masahiko Sensei, an IJKA Diploma signed by Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, a Kase-Ha Diploma signed by Kase Taiji Sensei and so forth.

We do not accept Dan from the WKF, as these are decided by national federations; however, we do accept JKF (Japan Karatedo Federation) certification.

I hope this clarifies who is qualified to apply for IKS Dan Transfers.  To conclude, I’d like to say that the Dan system exists to verify standards; therefore and accordingly, without standards it has no meaning. One of the objectives of the International Karate Shotokan is to ‘return Shotokan standards to what they were’—before "...the mass pass rate became the norm".

If someone has a Dan rank from an official organization we will accept it; however, when they attempt their next Dan they will need to meet IKS standards to pass. For those who do pass, they will be individuals who really deserve their grade.

OSU, André 

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2020).