ASKA Dan gradings are syllabus based and competency tested up to and including the rank of Yondan (4th Dan). All Dan gradings are carried out by a grading panel consisting of the Chief Instructor and senior ASKA black belts. The content of the grading for any particular individual may be varied by the Chief Instructor depending on circumstance.
The words ‘in principle’ in the time requirements below for the grades of Nidan to and including Yondan allow for flexibility within the stated time intervals. This flexibility allows those who train harder and or more frequently and subsequently achieve a higher standard in their karate than their contemporaries, the opportunity to attempt further gradings earlier. This is a just reward for their effort.
Therefore because gradings are competency based there is no specific time frame for Dan gradings up to and including Yondan, (4th Dan). The time frames listed below are guidelines only.
Students are not automatically entitled to undertake a Dan grading simply because they have been training for a certain number of years. Invitations to undertake a Dan grading are made to ASKA students by ASKA's Chief Instructor who takes into account the student's personal growth in karate-do as well as their technical ability.
Shodan - 1st Dan
Completion of syllabus and tested competent in all aspects.
Students grow and mature as individuals in the art after Shodan and they continue that growth after each new Dan level if they maintain the correct mental attitude.
Nidan - 2nd Dan
Completion of syllabus and tested competent in all aspects (in principle 2 years training after achieving Shodan) - minimum age of 16 years.
This grading assesses improvement in the technical aspects of the students development since Shodan.
Sandan - 3rd Dan
Completion of syllabus and tested competent in all aspects (in principle 3 years training after achieving Nidan).
Sandan is karate’s official head of style – teachers rank. At this rank a karate-ka can establish his own dojo if he so desires. Many karate-ka do not do this and remain within their existing organization. At Sandan rank the student should be at his technical best and be able to teach the technical aspects of the art. Hence a Sandan grading requires the demonstration of intricate kihon drills using both sides of the body equally as well as the demonstration of kata, kobudo and kumite.
Yondan - 4th Dan
Completion of syllabus and tested competent in all aspects (in principle 3 years training after achieving Sandan).
This grading is about technical performance and teaching. At Yondan the student must demonstrate a depth of knowledge that has grown through training/teaching since Sandan.
