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
Dan (black belt) testing
The dan levels — from lowest to highest degree — are:
- Shodan
- Nidan
- Sandan
- Yodan
- 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.