SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Training & Grading Syllabus v4.0 SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Training & Grading Syllabus Notice : You may reproduce this handbook as long as you do not alter it in any way. DISCLAIMER AND/OR LEGAL NOTICES : The information presented herein represents the view of the author as of the date of the publication. Because of the speed with which conditions change, the authour reserves the right to alter and update his opinion based on the new conditions. The handbook is for informational purposes only. While every attempt has been made to verify the information provided, neither the author nor hia affiliates assume any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. Any slights of people or organizations are unintentional. If advice concerning legal or related matters is needed, the services of a fully qualified professional should be sought. This handbook is not intended for use as a source of legal advice. You should be aware of any laws which govern business transactions or other business practices in your country and state. Any reference to any person or business whether living or dead is purely coincidental. This Handbook is printed and distributed exclusively by SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI, No. 7, Jalan Tembaga Kuning 16, Taman Sri Skudai, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, MALAYSIA. © 2014 Azlimmi Himzal ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this handbook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage or retrieval system without the express written, dated and signed permission of the author. Copyright ©SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Page 2 of 82 All rights reserved SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Training & Grading Syllabus Table of Contents 4 Foreword by Azlimmi Himzal Sensei 5 What Is Karate? 8 What Is Shotokan? 9 Who Is Funakoshi Gichin? 11 Our Honbu : Seiken Karatenomichi Kenkyukai 13 Dojokun of Shotokan 14 Funakoshi’s Nijukun : The 20 principles 15 Typical Class Protocol 17 How Do I Fold My Keiko-Gi Properly? 18 How Do I Tie My Obi (Belt) Properly? 19 Why We Train Karate 20 Dojo Etiquette & Conduct 22 Blood Borne Pathogen Policy 24 Grading 28 Shotokan Kata Names 29 Grade & Belt Chart Grading Syllabus 30 Special Junior Grade (12th – 10th Kyu) 31 9th Kyu 32 8th Kyu 33 7th Kyu 34 6th Kyu 35 5th Kyu 36 4th Kyu 37 3rd Kyu 38 2nd Kyu 39 1st Kyu 40 1st Dan 42 2nd Dan 44 3rd Dan 46 4th Dan 47 5th Dan 49 6th Dan 51 7th Dan Written Exam 53 Novice (12th – 7th Kyu) Written Examination Questions 56 Intermediate (6th – 4th Kyu) Written Examination Questions 58 Advance (3rd – 1st Kyu) Written Examination Questions 62 Guidelines for SEIKEN Dan Grade Reports / Theses Kumite Syllabus 65 Gohon Kumite & Sanbon Kumite 66 Kihon Ippon Kumite 68 Jiyu Ippon Kumite 71 Grading Application Form 72 Frequently Asked Questions 76 Article By Azlimmi Sensei Published In ‘Seni Beladiri’ “Never forget that the Karate-Do practice is a lifetime process, the examination only part of this long road. Practice as much as you can and this way one day you will understand the meaning of Karate-do” Nakayama Masatoshi Shihan Copyright ©SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Page 3 of 82 All rights reserved SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Training & Grading Syllabus Dear Members, I want to personally welcome you and your family to the Seiken Karatenomichi Kenkyukai (Academy). We are committed to doing everything we can to make your family's experience at our Academy enjoyable and life transforming. When a family becomes a member of our Academy, our staff and I take it as a privilege and a responsibility to help your child as much as we possibly can. It is very important that our staff members and your family work as a team to ensure the greatest benefits for your child. This book hopes to serve as a guide to students of the Academy in their search to perfect their Art. This book is by no means a definitive authority on the organic nature of karate but rather a simple guideline to help us all understand the ideals from which the Academy sprung from. The Academy constantly encourages its’ students and members to follow a path of continual learning. The motto of the Academy is ‚ADAPT & OVERCOME‛ which symbolizes that as martial arts students, no matter how new or advanced, we must always be prepared to adapt ourselves to overcome all obstacles. Thank you for your interest in the Seiken Karatenomichi Academy, and I look forward to sharing many years of growth and transformation with your family. Gambatte Kudasai!! Tomo ni Karate no michi ayumu Azlimmi Himzal Founder & Chief Instructor Seiken Karatenomichi Kenkyukai Copyright ©SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Page 4 of 82 All rights reserved SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Training & Grading Syllabus WHAT IS KARATE? In Okinawa, a miraculous and mysterious martial art has come down to us from the past. It is said that one who masters its techniques can defend himself readily without resort to weapons and can perform remarkable feats: the breaking of several thick boards with his fist or ceiling panels of a room with a kick. With his shuto ("sword hand") he can kill a bull with a single stroke; he can pierce the flank of a horse with his open hand; he can cross a room grasping the beams of the ceiling with his fingers, crush a green bamboo stalk with his bare hand, shear a hemp rope with a twist, or gouge soft rock with his hands. Some consider these aspects of this miraculous and mysterious martial art to be the essence of Karate-do. But such feats are a small part of karate, playing a role analogous to the straw-cutting test of kendo (Japanese fencing), and it is erroneous to think that there is no more to Karate-do than this. In fact, true Karate-do places weight upon spiritual rather than physical matters, as we shall discuss. True Karate-do is this : that in daily life, one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility; and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice. KARA (空) : Karate-do is a martial art peculiar to Okinawa in its origins. Although it has in the past tended to be confused with Chinese boxing because of the use of the Chinese "kara : 唐" character in its earlier name, in fact for the past thousand years, the study and practice of masters and experts, through which it was nurtured and perfected and formed into the unified martial art that it is today, took place in Okinawa. It is, therefore, not a distortion to represent it as an Okinawan martial art. One may ask why the Chinese "kara" character has been retained for so long, I believe that at the time the influence of Chinese culture was at its peak in Japan, many experts in the martial arts traveled to China to practice Chinese boxing. With their new knowledge, they altered the existing martial art, called Okinawa-te, weeding out its bad points and adding good points to it, thus working it into an elegant art. continued on next page Copyright ©SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Page 5 of 82 All rights reserved SEIKEN KARATENOMICHI KENKYUKAI Training & Grading Syllabus continued from previous page It may be speculated that they considered "kara" (with the Chinese character) an appropriate new name. Since, even in contemporary Japan, there are many people who are impressed by anything that is foreign, it is not difficult to imagine the high regard for anything Chinese that prevailed during that period in Okinawa. With this background, the reason or the choice of the Chinese "kara" character, meaning "Chinese," as a simple case of exoticism is apparent. Following tradition, the writer has in the past continued to use the Chinese character. However, because of the frequent confusion with Chinese boxing, and the fact that the Okinawan martial art may now be considered a Japanese martial art, it is inappropriate, and in a sense degrading, to continue use of the old "kara" in the name. THE MEANING OF KARA : The first connotation of kara indicates that karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands and fists without weapons. Second, just as it is the clear mirror that reflects without distortion, or the quiet valley that echoes a sound, so must one who would study Karate-do purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a clear mind and conscience can he understand that which he receives. This is another meaning of the element kara in Karate-do. Next, he who would study Karate-do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle. However, once he has decided to stand up for the cause of justice, then he must have the courage expressed in the saying, "Even if it must be ten million foes, I go!" Thus, he is like the green bamboo stalk: hollow (kara) inside, straight, and with knots, that is, unselfish, gentle, and moderate. This meaning is also contained in the element kara of Karate-do. Finally, in a fundamental way, the form of the universe is emptiness (kara), and, thus, emptiness is form itself. There are many kinds of martial arts, judo, kendo, sojutsu ("spear techniques"), bojutsu ("stick techniques"), and others, but at a fundamental level all these arts rest on the same basis as Karate-do. It is no exaggeration to say that the original sense of Karate-do is at one with the basis of all martial arts. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form itself.