The Chito-Ryu Karate-Do grading requirement used in Australia is based on the ICKF grading requirements (as used in Japan and many other countries). The belt colours in Australia are different than other countries. Collectively the shihan-kai decided to introduce a system that awards a different belt for each of the kyu levels 12th kyu to 1st kyu.
In addition, it was decided that students should develop certain “key basics” as they progress throughout the levels. There are a few extra sets of bunkai (applications), which help give a simple explanation of the kata that are practiced and tested in some Australian dojos. You will also notice basic bo (staff) techniques and kata are introduced to students, which are taught by Soke Sensei, but not formally part of the ICKF grading requirements.
One final note: The number in the fitness column in the table below is the number of push ups, sit ups and squat kicks that the student is required to do at each level as part of their grading test.
Download the grading requirements 12th kyu – 4th dan (PDF) or view in the table below.
| Belt Colour | Rank | Kata ▪ Basics | Bunkai ▪ Weapons ▪ Other | Fitness | Key Basics (Australia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 12th kyu | Kihon (Basics) | 5 | Correct form & body structure Kick, Punch, Block, Stances, Stepping |
|
 | 11th kyu | Kihon Dosa Ichi | 10 | Metsuke (eye focus) Hikite (pull back of arm) Seiken (correct fist) Shibori (squeeze armpit) Co-ordination, body control & flexibility Kumite: guard, footwork, attacks |
|
 | 10th kyu | Kihon Dosa Ni Seiken no Migi Hidari | Kihon Dosa Bunkai | 15 | |
 | 9th kyu | Kihon Dosa San Zenshin Kotai | Kihon Dosa 3 Bunkai Zenshin Kotai Bunkai | 20 | |
 | 8th kyu | Kihon Dosa Yon Enpi no Kata Nijuushichi Te Waza | Kihon Dosa 4 Bunkai | 25 | Kime (focus at end of technique) Seichusen (correct centre line, target) Kokyu (breathing) Kumite: distance & defence |
 | 7th kyu | Kihon Kata Ichi | 30 | ||
 | 6th kyu | Kihon Kata Ni | 35 | ||
 | 5th kyu | Kihon Kata San | Rinten Bunkai ▪ Ukemi | 40 | Suriashi (sliding feet while stepping) Shime (correct muscle tension) Hikiashi (pull back of leg) Sharpening weapons Kumite: timing, speed & accuracy |
 | 4th kyu | Shihowari Shime no Kata Shihohai | Tehodoki no waza (wrist escapes) Shihohai Bunkai | 45 | |
 | 3rd kyu | Seisan | Seisan bunkai | 50 | |
 | 2nd kyu | Niseishi Dai | Niseishi Bunkai ▪ Ukemi Kihon Bo 1-14 | 55 | Kiai (spirit united with technique) Posture (align - head, shoulders, hips) Zanshin (remaining spirit, after attack) Kumite: fighting spirit |
 | 1st kyu | Bassai | Bassai Bunkai ▪ Ukemi Kihon bo kata 1 & 2 | 60 | |
 | Shodan | Chinto | Henshuho 1~10 ▪ Chinto Bunkai ▪ Ukemi Officiating Kumi bo | 100 | |
 | Nidan | Sochin | Henshuho 11~20 ▪ Sochin Bunkai Officiating | 100 | Tame & Kime (elastic, whipping power) |
 | Sandan | Rohai Sho/Dai Tenshin | Henshuho 21~28 Officiating | 100 | Seichusen (Correct centre line) |
 | Yondan | Sanshiru | Nage no Kata Officiating Sakugawa no kon | 100 | Tanden |
