LSKF examination requirements

Although KIU examination programs of the majority of European national Shotokan karate federations have insignificant differences, their requirements are uniform. Shotokan karate KIU examination consists of three parts: KIHON, KATA, KUMITE.

It is a typical program echoing the structure of a traditional training, which is completely modified to suit the WKF rules of sports karate, and which is suitable for the continuous preparation of high rank athletes. Moreover, the program is a good methodological device in the instructor’s daily work. All three parts, i.e. KIHON, KATA, KUMITE, constitute an integral KIU examination, during which the examinee must know the requirements of the KIU exam and the order of its performance by heart. In addition to this, the examinee must be aware of the international terms and to follow the dojo etiquette.

When performing KIU, all composite parts of the movement (stance, technique, breathing out) are performed simultaneously. There cannot be any “floating” movements, i.e. when the stance is taken first, followed by performance of the technique. This principle does not meet the requirements of SHOTOKAN style.

Any mistake during examination and performing KATA always has a negative influence on evaluation, even if everything else is impeccable. When performing KATA, each blow or block must be carried out for IPPON evaluation. For instance, kata HEIAN-SHODAN consists of 14 blocks, 8 blows and 20 stances. Therefore, when performing this KATA, techniques of 22 IPPON value must be carried out.

When performing KUMITE with a partner, evaluation is given to both the attacker and the defender. Each attack of IPPON value, an optimal distance, a stable stance, a real defense and counter attack of IPPON value with KIAI are the main criteria of KUMITE. An injury to an opponent during KUMITE also has a negative influence on evaluation. Learners who are incapable of controlling their technique or emotions cannot ascend the stages of KIU.

The examinator can introduce additional requirements (URA-KATA self-defense, general physical preparedness, theory). In each group, the different principles and requirements of SHOTOKAN style are gradually emphasized. KIU examinations up to 1st DAN are divided into three groups:
1. 9 - 7 KIU 2. 6 - 4 KIU 3. 3 - 1 KIU

6-10 DAN is granted by EKF and WKF for special contribution to the development of karate. The examination of 1 st DAN cannot be taken until 18 years of age. The examination of 4th DAN cannot be taken until 30 years of age. And the examination of 5th DAN cannot be taken until 35 years, after 16 years of training.

Knowledge of karate learners and masters is evaluated during examinations. After passing the examination, examinees are granted KIU (learners) or DAN (masters), which are reflected in belts. There are 9 learners’ belts and 10 masters’ belts. Belts represent the steps in the way of karate: ascending those means getting closer to perfection. Each color of a belt has its own meaning.

Explication of the belt colours

Shiro obi – white belt
White is the colour of innocence. White belt symbolizes those learners whose soul has not been touched by the way of Budo (the martial art). These are the learners who have only been acquainted with some basic elements of karate.

Kiiro obi – yellow belt
Yellow is the color of the daylight. The yellow belt symbolizes those learners who have started a new day in the understanding of karate art in their body and soul.

Daidaro obi – orange belt
Orange is the color of a bright day and the setting sun. Orange belt represents those learners whose consciousness has been lit by the sunlight, and whose technique is reaching for new heights.

Hidori obi – green belt
Green is the color of plants and forest. Green belt represents those learners who are already capable of transforming the daylight (knowledge rendered by their master), and whose body and soul generate new ideas and solutions. Growing forest is the growing karate technique and the fighter’s spirit, which is getting stronger every day.

Airo obi – blue belt
Blue is the color of the sky, the ocean and the horizon. The blue belt symbolizes those learners whose aim in the cognition of karate is to reach the horizon, and whose spirit is getting closer to the depth, i.e. to the total devotion to the martial art.

Kiriio obi – brown belt
Brown is the color of the soil, the color of reliability and stability. The brown belt represents those learners whose karate technique has become reliable and whose spirit of the fighter has become stable. Those learners are ready to follow the way of BUDO (the martial art), but who have not yet become the masters of karate. They are a ploughed soil which is ready to accept the seeds.

Kiroi obi – black belt
Black is the color of the night that has come after the end of the first day, which started with a yellow daylight that transformed into the orange of the setting sun, which is full of the green plants, and then plunges into the depth of the sky, the ocean and the horizon, and which is brown as the ploughed soil. The black belt is the master of karate who has reached the level of unity of his body and soul required for continuing the journey along the way of Budo.