Grading Requirements

Syllabus Requirements

Throughout the following summary, it states continually “under instructor's supervision.” This means under the supervision of a recognised and duly authorised instructor of the principles, theories, philosophies and techniques of Sakura Kan Jiu Jitsu. This person would have Kancho’s delegated authority to instruct and would hold an up to date teaching certificate, which is re-assessed biannually through Kancho and/or his duly appointed technical panel made up of the most senior Yudansha in the system at that time.

Roku Kyu or White Belt
A minimum of three months training, and 24 formal sessions in the Dojo under instructor’s supervision.
Go Kyu or Yellow Belt
A minimum of three months training since the last grading, and 24 formal sessions in the Dojo under instructor’s supervision.
Yon Kyu or Orange Belt
A minimum of twelve months training since the last grading, and 80 formal sessions in the Dojo under instructor’s supervision.
San Kyu or Green Belt
A minimum of twelve months training since the last grading, and 80 formal sessions in the Dojo under instructor’s supervision.
Ni Kyu or Blue Belt
A minimum of twelve months training since the last grading, and 80 formal sessions in the Dojo under instructor’s supervision.
Ik Kyu or Brown Belt
A minimum of eighteen months training since the last grading, and 120 formal sessions in the Dojo under instructor’s supervision.
Shodan or First Degree Black Belt
A minimum of twenty-four months training since the last grading, and 160 formal sessions in the Dojo under instructor’s supervision.

The student must also have had a minimum of twelve months teaching experience in the Dojo under the guidance of an instructor of Sakura Kan Jiu Jitsu and have attended at least three annual camps.

In conjunction with each grading, a theory exam must be passed prior to the physical part of the grading being attempted. A fail on the theory paper will result in the physical part of the examination being postponed until a pass mark can be achieved.

Approximate minimum time frame between grades:

Kyu Grades (White to Brown Belts)

Start - 0 months.
3 months – Roku Kyu – White Belt - 3 months.
6 months – Go Kyu – Yellow Belt - 6 months.
1 year – Yon Kyu – Orange Belt - 1 year 9 months.
1 year – San Kyu – Green Belt - 2 years 9 months.
1 year – Ni Kyu – Blue Belt - 3 years 9 months.
18 months – Ik Kyu – Brown Belt - 5 years.

Dan Grades (1st Degree to 10th Degree Black Belt)

Sho Dan – 1st Degree Black Belt - 7 years.    Minimum 2 years since last grade and 140 sessions
Ni Dan – 2nd Degree Black Belt - 10 years.    Minimum 3 years since last grade and 210 sessions
San Dan – 3rd Degree Black Belt - 13 years.   Minimum 3 years since last grade and 210 sessions
Yon Dan – 4th Degree Black Belt - 17 years. Minimum 4 years since last grade and 280 sessions
Go Dan – 5th Degree Black Belt - 22 years. Minimum 5 years since last grade and 350 sessions
Roku Dan – 6th Degree Black Belt - 28 years. Minimum 6 years since last grade and 420 sessions
Nana Dan – 7th Degree Black Belt - 35 years. Minimum 7 years since last grade and 490 sessions
Hachi Dan – 8th Degree Black Belt - 43 years.        Minimum 8 years since last grade and 560 sessions
Ku Dan – 9th Degree Black Belt - 52 years. Minimum 9 years since last grade and 630 sessions
Ju Dan – 10th Degree Black Belt - 62 years. Minimum 10 years since last grade and 700 sessions

Minimum Ages for Dan Grades (Black Belt Grades)

Sho Dan – 1st Degree Black Belt – 20 years.
Ni Dan – 2nd Degree Black Belt – 22 years.
San Dan – 3rd Degree Black Belt - 25 years.
Yon Dan – 4th Degree Black Belt - 29 years.
Go Dan – 5th Degree Black Belt - 34 years.
Roku Dan – 6th Degree Black Belt - 40 years.
Nana Dan – 7th Degree Black Belt - 47 years.
Hachi Dan – 8th Degree Black Belt - 55 years.
Ku Dan – 9th Degree Black Belt - 64 years.
Ju Dan – 10th Degree Black Belt - 74 years.