Karate

The tiny island of Okinawa—located in the East China Sea—was the birthplace of Karate. In the 11th century, the people of Okinawa developed their own fighting ability from the influence of Chinese Martial Arts and other asian fighting systems. While the origins of Goju Ryu and all Martial Arts dates back many centuries, the style that we know as Goju Ryu was only formalized in the early twentieth century. The Style Goju Ryu was named in 1931 by Miyagi Chojun Sensei, the student of Higaonna Kanryo Sensei. The parts in the name Goju Ryu can be broken down as such: Go - hard, Ju - soft, Ryu - the way. The name Goju Ryu reflects the nature of the style which has both hard and soft elements.

While Goju Ryu is the primary style of Karate taught at the Rideau Osgoode Martial Arts, we also do katas (patterns) from the Shotokan and Chito Ryu systems. Our instructors come from diverse backgrounds and we’ve decided to maintain some elements from that diversity to improve the overall knowledge and experience of our members.

Promotion

We schedule monthly grading sessions for promotion to Red, Yellow, Orange, or Green Belt. These sessions run in parallel to regularly scheduled Karate classes. The duration is one hour.

We schedule grading sessions for promotion to Blue or Brown Belt every other month. These sessions are generally run in parallel to regularly scheduled Karate classes. The duration is two hours.

We use stripes on the belt to mark proficiency in each of the major skills between ranks and indicate progress. Stripes on Yellow, Orange, and Green Belts are awarded during regular classes. Stripes on Blue and Brown Belts are awarded during a formal grading session.

We do our best to accommodate when possible. If you need special consideration, please ask Sensei.

If you believe that you have met all of the requirements and are ready for promotion, ask Sensei Christine, Sensei Ken, or Sensei Wayne to add you to the grading list. Note that, while we are always looking to see who is ready for promotion, we strongly encourage our members to share responsibility for managing their progress (that is, please do not hesitate to ask Sensei if you think you’re ready for promotion). Contact us at info@rideauosgoode.ca if you have questions.

Family members and friends are welcome (and encouraged) to observe grading sessions.

The requirements for promotion for each belt level are described below.

White to Red Belt

To earn your Yellow Belt, you must demonstrate the following Katas and skills:

  • Te Waza; and
  • Taikyoku Shodan.

Other requirements:

  • Two months training; and
  • 15 classes.

Red to Yellow Belt

To earn your Yellow Belt, you must demonstrate the following Katas and skills:

Other requirements:

  • Two months training; and
  • 15 classes.

Yellow to Orange Belt

To earn your Orange Belt, you must demonstrate all of the above along with the following Katas and skills:

Other requirements:

  • Six months as a Yellow Belt; and
  • 50 classes as a Yellow Belt.

Orange to Green Belt

To earn your Green Belt, you must demonstrate all of the above along with the following Katas and skills:

  • Sanchin;
  • Heian Sandan;
  • Rohai Sho; and
  • Geki Sai Dai Ichi Rensoku Kumite.

Other requirements:

  • Nine months as an Orange Belt; and
  • 75 classes as an Orange Belt.

Green to Blue Belt

To earn your Blue Belt, you must demonstrate all of the above along with the following Katas and skills:

Other requirements:

  • Twelve months as a Green Belt; and
  • 100 classes as a Green Belt.

Blue to Brown Belt

To earn your Brown Belt, you must demonstrate all of the above along with the following Katas and skills:

Other requirements:

  • Twelve months as a Blue Belt; and
  • 100 classes as a Blue Belt.

First Degree Black Belt (Shodan)

Members aged 14 years may grade for a Junior Black Belt ranking (Shodan-ho). The requirements are similar to that for Shodan, but with some exceptions. For more information, ask Sensei. Members holding a Junior Black Belt rank must grade to First Degree Black Belt (Shodan) after their 16th birthday.

To earn your First Degree Black Belt (Shodan), you must demonstrate all of the above along with the following Katas and skills:

  • Sanchin Ni;
  • Bassai Dai; and
  • Seiyunchin Oiyo Kumite.

Other requirements:

  • Minimum 16 years of age;
  • Eighteen months as a Brown Belt;
  • 150 classes as a Brown Belt; and
  • 90 hours of teaching assistance

To be awarded a Black Belt, the candidate must present themselves first to the Rideau Osgoode grading board at an in-club grading, and then to the EMAC Grading Board at an EMAC National Black Belt Grading (held twice a year, in May and October).

EMAC grading requirements include:

  • An essay that summarises your martial arts journey;
  • First Aid certification;
  • Completion of a written exam;
  • Self defence demonstration

For more information, ask Sensei.

Advanced Black Belt

Advanced Black Belt Ranks are awarded through EMAC at a EMAC National Black Belt Grading (held twice a year, typically in May and October). For more information, ask Sensei.

  • Shisochin (Nidan)
  • Sanseru (Sandan)
  • Seipai (Yondan)
  • Kururunfa (Godan)
  • Seisan (Rokudan)
  • Suparinpei (Shichidan)
  • Tensho (Hachidan)