Black Belt promotionals

[sensei8]

You guys are gonna hate me, but my shodan test was on 7/19/1978, and I was tested by Okinawan Sensei Kuda Yuichi, the head of my system, and lasted maybwe 10-15 MINUTES!

Sensei Kuda was visiting (his first vist to the USA) for 3 weeks total, and we had been working with him for 2 weeks when he tested us. He had already seen what we could do at that point, so the test was merely a formality. We generally don't place a whole lot of "big deal" on promotions, although we hit the sake pretty good after the class was over.

Believe me, my shodan certificate means more to me than any other I've received over the years and it hangs on my wall surrounded by my torn and ratty origional black belt as a central focal point in the room.

Yeah...short and sweat...to the point.

But, your testing was actually 2 weeks long, if I understand what I've highlighted in the bold above.

[Montana]

You guys are gonna hate me, but my shodan test was on 7/19/1978, and I was tested by Okinawan Sensei Kuda Yuichi, the head of my system, and lasted maybwe 10-15 MINUTES!

Sensei Kuda was visiting (his first vist to the USA) for 3 weeks total, and we had been working with him for 2 weeks when he tested us. He had already seen what we could do at that point, so the test was merely a formality. We generally don't place a whole lot of "big deal" on promotions, although we hit the sake pretty good after the class was over.

Believe me, my shodan certificate means more to me than any other I've received over the years and it hangs on my wall surrounded by my torn and ratty origional black belt as a central focal point in the room.

Yeah...short and sweat...to the point.

But, your testing was actually 2 weeks long, if I understand what I've highlighted in the bold above.

I hadn't really thought of it that way bwefore...but you may be right!

Regardless, any test I've taken since then was short and to the point. No papers, no speeches, no handstand pushups, etc. Just do this or that as requested...passed!

[Nidan Melbourne]

The black belt gradings at my dojo vary greatly in how long it goes for purely because of how many people are at the grading.

But when i went for my black belt it went for close to 8 hours and for my shodan it was 5.5 hours long.

What we do is a warm up that goes for about (give or take) 20-25 minutes, Basics 30-45 minutes, Combinations 1 hour, Kata 45-60 minutes, Pre-arranged Sparring (Bunkai, Kyogi and our regular pre-arranged sparring) which takes at minimum of 1 hour (more or less depending on numbers) then sparring which is 1 hour (give or take).

For basics/combinations - we do every single technique that we are required to know: Although both times it has also been incorporated into our combinations section of the grading (so two sections in one). Which they make the combinations rather difficult so they can see how we cope with the pressure.

Kata - We do every single Kata that our school does Taikyoku Jodan, Chudan, Gedan, Kake Uke, Mawashi Ich, Gekesai Dai Ichi & Ni, Saifa, Seeuinchin, Sanchin, Tensho, Sanseru, Seisan. But Senseru & Seisan are for the students going for their Shodan.

Pre-Arranged Sparring:

- 25 Kyogi (from Seeuinchin kata) - all of which we make ourselves

- Gekesai and Saifa Bunkai

- Pre-arranged sparring #1 and #2, Sanbon Kumite, Yonhon Kumite, Gohon Kumite

Sparring - we spar everyone that is participating in the grading and all of the instructors that are in attendance.

[RJCKarate]

I've done three black belt gradings, all with slightly different experiences.

All my gradings have been proceeded by training with the examiner at least for one week before the official test.

My shodan was in Australia and was in a formal setting. Consisted of about 13 kata, kihon and the standard karate stuff. This was on a set day.

My nidan was also in Australia under my Okinawa sensei, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine. Similar to shodan grading.

My sandan was much similar to what Montana mentioned. I used to live with my sensei when staying in Okinawa. One morning he yelled up the stairs to my room to come down in 10 and I would do my test. The test was quite short, but I'd been there for a few weeks before.

I think it's interesting to look at how much westerners sometimes amplify the importance of something (like the black belt, or grading in general), when in it's country of origin - Okinawa - it's just seen as another minor test, and you're getting it because you've already shown your worthy.