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San Francisco Shotokan Karate Dojo

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SKA Ranking System

SKA follows the original karate ranking system of Master Funakoshi. In this system, there are 14 ranking levels (kyu and dan) and three belt colors (white, brown, black).

Kyu testing

The junior ranks are the “kyu” levels, from 9th kyu/unranked (lowest) to 1st kyu (highest). Members that are unranked up to 4th kyu wear a white belt; members ranked 3rd kyu (Sankyu) to 1st kyu (Ikkyu) wear a brown belt.

Kyu testing is held twice a year, April and November, for white and brown belts, rotating between Bay Area dojos. Senior black belts grade each candidate on mentality, length of training, technical ability, and the number of Special Trainings attended.

After Jane's Yodan test

After Jane’s yodan test

Dan (black belt) testing

The dan levels — from lowest to highest degree — are:

  1. Shodan
  2. Nidan
  3. Sandan
  4. Yodan
  5. Godan

Black belt testing is held once a year at the Summer Special Training.

No fees for testing

Testing is a privilege of SKA membership. There are no additional fees required.


Set your charity to SKA

San Francisco Dojo
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
1350 Waller St
San Francisco, CA 94117
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