Grading Requirements for the international academy of senior Shotokan karate-ka

The use of the ISKS as a vehicle for ratification/award of gradings is part of the role of the Shihankai. Once a fellow is in place, having been invited by an existing fellow and accepted by the Shihankai Technical and Executive Committee, he/she only need use the ISKS when his next grade is due or when the application of a sho-go is made However, some of our fellows have kindly allowed their own senior students to apply and join.

Grading Requirements

5th Dan: Minimum requirement for entry to ISKS Fellowship. The Dan grade must be from a group or individual acceptable to the ISKS, with 5 years between 4th and 5th Dan. The applicant must be over 30 years of age.

6th Dan: Applicant must have 6 years between the grades of 5th to 6th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual acceptable to the ISKS or alternatively from the ISKS Technical Committee. The applicant must be over 36 years of age.

7th Dan: Applicant must have 7 years between the grades of 6th to 7th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual acceptable to the ISKS or alternatively from the ISKS Technical Committee. The applicant must be over 43 years of age.

8th Dan: Applicant must have 8 years between the grades of 7th to 8th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual acceptable to the ISKS or alternatively from the ISKS Technical Committee. The applicant must be over 51 years of age.

9th Dan: Applicant must have 9 years between the grades of 8th to 9th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual acceptable to the ISKS or alternatively from the ISKS Technical Committee. The applicant must be over 60 years of age.

Variation to standard prescribed requirements above:

The applicants sponsor must be put in writing, explaining why s/he merits any grade that does not conform with the above. The application sponsor must be supported and refereed by two ISKS fellows who must also write letters to the ISKS Director of Qualifications, describing in detail, the candidate's character, behaviours and technical ability, which would justify the recognition. After deliberations (and any appropriate additional investigations) the candidate may be awarded membership at the grade of application, if the ISKS executive agrees with the level of grade, wholly at their discretion. The ISKS T.C. may request additional information or cause a background investigation to be conducted. Alternatively applications sponsored by a member of the ISKS executive will be accepted without recourse to committee review.