Yondan Kata (4th Dan)

The requirement for the Yondan grading test is, proficiency with the Kata listed.

The student must have passed all previous levels, with no less than two years experience in present level. All previous level Kata must be known and can be asked. Grade testing may be done only by a certified instructor of this Association. The grade must register with this Association Headquarters in Okinawa, Japan and is also issued at the discretion of the Association. Certificates are issued by the Association Headquarters only, must be numbered and stamped with the Associations inkan (signature seal). Any other certificates issued in the name of Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai are not recognized. All certified instructors are listed in the Officials page. 

Key points

• At Yondan the challenge to continue to improve is clear as the Bó Kata required for testing is to be done left handed.  This forces the practitioner to improve what for most people is their weaker side.
• The Sai Kata includes throwing one of the weapons at an opponent's footing and retrieving a third from one's belt.
• The third Kata is a Kama Kata which is done with live blades when testing.

This paragraph contains a brief description of the Kata. Pronounced “Yuniga no Kun” in the Okinawan Language. The Kata was developed for use against a bayonet. As rifles are fired (mostly) from the right shoulder the grip is a left handed grip as is used in Jukendo. It is not created for left handed persons. Okinawa, like most old cultures did not encourage left-handedness.

Key points

• Left handed Bo Kata.
• Very few Tsuki in this Kata.
• A resent correction to this Kate is that the challenging jump to the rear, while doing the final Tsuki, is to be done as a prominent move backwards.
  
  These types of corrections happen after long discussions in the Hombu Dojo by the most senior members striving to try and correct moves that got changed for some reason but were not as it was intended by the creator. Just a way of trying to ensure the Kata keeps its originality.(15/07/2006)

Pronounced Kugusuku no Sai in Uchina Guchi or Okinawan Hougen 方言.  This paragraph contains a brief description of the Kata

Key points

• This Kata uses three Sai.  One is kept tucked in the belt in the back of the dogi so that it can be pulled out with the right hand.

This paragraph contains a brief description of the Kata

Key points

• "K" sounds often take a "G" sound when following an "O" sound in Japanese.  This is true for the name of this Kata.  Another example is Yoko Geri or Mai Geri.  Keri is kick and Geri said on it's own has a very different meaning.
• The best place to buy Kama in Japan is NOT from a martial arts store but rather from a simple hardware store.  The blades are real so please be careful!  
• If you come across a grandma working her garden with one of these you should probably best keep moving along.

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