IKS SHODAN EXAM KIHON (IDO-KIHON)

Here is the official 移動基本 (Ido-Kihon) for the SHODAN EXAMINATION of 国際空手道松濤館 (IKS—International Karate Shotokan).

 

The essence of this kihon is not complexity but, rather, precise and effective Shotokan-Ryu fundamentals.  Accordingly, just doing the movements is insufficient. Rather, each element must be ‘classical old-school’ Shodan level.

 

Techniques checked in this exam precisely check all base elements of the core Shotokan kihon. The five base uke, five keriwaza (also kizami-geri), oi-zuki, gyaku-zuki, kizami-zuki, shihon-nukite, yoko-uraken, yoko-empi,  and both basic forms of shuto strikes. Two kicking combinations are covered, front and side. Also ‘legs followed by hands’ in two forms. The only single waza in the test is ushiro-geri, which in base form, must be mastered to achieve this rank. It must be noted that besides ‘tenshin’ for ushiro-geri, the exam also features a 360 degree turn with gedan-barai followed by gyaku-zuki. It is also important to mention the unsoku and transitions. Fumidashi, yoriashi/yoseashi, tobi-konde, moving through kosa-dachi, and stance switches from zenkutsu-dachi to kiba-dachi, and kokutsu-dachi to zenkutsu-dachi. Note - a missing element is the 'double kick with one leg'. While this ren-geri is practiced, IKS focuses on power power kicks and, accordingly, this was phased out of the Shodan Exam.

 

It must be noted that 初段 (Shodan) is not 一段 (Ichidan); that is, while it is the ‘First Dan’, the name literally translates as ‘Beginners level’. Thus, this is where one’s karate journey truly begins. At the heart of this beginning is having the sufficient kihon in order to ‘truly begin’. 

 

In addition to all these points, to change from a brown to a black belt, one must demonstrate strong spirit, courage and determination; moreover, foster resilience. Without the aforementioned physical points, and these psychological strengths, Shodan has no meaning. Sadly, nowadays, Shodan in most cases, literally has no meaning.

 

IKS has been working hard to restore “Dan” to their proper standards. Accordingly, anyone who receives Dan from our organization is truly worth their rank. You can see this in the mass failures at our examinations. This not only benefits IKS, but karate as a whole. Restoration of "true DAN".

 

押忍

André

 

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André Bertel

7th Dan

International Karate Shotokan

Oita City, JAPAN 

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移動基本

 •  The stance is 前屈立ち (Zenkutsu-dachi) unless otherwise stated in brackets; likewise, the unsoku is 踏み出し (fumidashi). Each waza is demonstrated between three and five times. Each stance, hip action, leg movement, and waza must be completed and clear. Not rushed nor blurred for the mere appearance of speed. A kiai is applied only on the last waza of each set.

 

一   飛び込んで三本連突き。

  Tobi-konde sanbon ren-zuki.

二  上段揚げ受けから中段前蹴り蹴上げそして中段逆突き。

Jodan age-uke kara chudan mae-geri keage soshite chudan gyaku-zuki.

 

三  中段外受けから寄り足(騎馬立ち)横猿臂そして裏拳横回し打 ち。

Chudan soto-uke kara yori-ashi (kiba-dachi) yoko-enpi soshite uraken yokomawashi uchi.

 

四  (後屈立ち) 手刀中段受けから中段刻み前蹴りそして中段縦四本中段貫手。

(Kokutsu-dachi) Shuto chudan-uke kara chudan kizami mae-geri soshite chudan tateshihon-nukite.

  

五  (後屈立ち)  中段内受けから上段刻みそして中段逆突き。

(Kokutsu-dachi) Chudan uchi-uke kara jodan kizami-zuki soshite chudan gyaku-zuki.

 

六   回転しながら下段払いから中段逆突き。

Kaiten shinagara gedan-barai kara chudan gyaku-zuki.

 

七   連蹴り： 中段前蹴り蹴上げから上段前蹴り蹴上げ。

 Ren-geri: Chudan mae-geri keage kara jodan mae-geri keage.

 

八    中段前蹴り蹴上げから中段追い突き。

Chudan mae-geri keage kara chudan oi-zuki.

 

九   回し蹴りから中段逆突き。

Mawashi-geri kara chudan gyaku-zuki.

 

十   中段後ろ蹴り蹴込み。

Chudan ushiro-geri kekomi.

 

十一（騎馬立ち）横蹴り蹴上げ足を変えて横蹴り蹴込み。

(Kiba-dachi) Yoko-geri keage ashi o kaete yoko-geri kekomi.

 

十二     手刀上段外回し打ち、手同じで手刀上段内回し打ち。

Shuto jodan sotomawashi uchi te onaji de shuto jodan uchimawashi uchi. 

 © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).