Aim for Shodan Even If You Cannot Attend a Dojo

1. Philosophy of Obtaining Dan Ranks and Guidelines for Years of Training

The "DAN rank" in KARATE is a certification of growth acquired through technique and continuity. SUI has a simple structure: 10th KYU are free to experience, and 9th KYU onwards to Shodan are advanced through paid courses.

Free Learning (10th KYU)    Paid Membership Course (9th KYU to Shodan)
For Beginners
For beginners practicing at a pace of twice a week, it typically takes approximately 3 years to achieve the rank of Shodan (Black Belt).
We anticipate a range of 2.5 to 4 years depending on individual progress.

While our promotion examinations are based on absolute evaluation standards, we also take into account individual factors such as age and physical capability.

In Okinawa Karate, we believe the most essential elements are "continuity" (consistency) and "facing oneself with sincerity." Karate is not merely about receiving objective evaluation from others.
We grant Kyu and Dan rankings based on these two pillars, balanced with each practitioner's physical journey.

In Okinawa, many people have started their karate journey at the age of 80 and successfully earned their black belts.
Regardless of how quickly one masters the physical techniques, a minimum of 2.5 years is required to reach Shodan.
This is because the spiritual growth and experience gained through consistent practice and introspection are indispensable for a black belt practitioner.

For Children (Ages 3 to under 12)
Practitioners will not be eligible to receive Shodan (Black Belt) until they reach the age of 15.
Consequently, the journey to Shodan for children typically takes between 4 to 10 years.

The reasons for this policy:
1.Younger practitioners are still developing the capacity to fully comprehend the deeper principles of the art.
2.The mental and spiritual maturity required for a Shodan rank is often not yet fully realized at a young age.

We actively encourage children to participate in training (ideally alongside their parents).
However, Karate is not just a sport; it is a cultural discipline that emphasizes spiritual growth alongside physical training.
Therefore, we require practitioners to reach age 15, an age where a certain level of mental maturity is expected, to be eligible for Shodan.

For Experienced Practitioners (Black Belt holders from other styles)
If you hold a black belt or higher in another style, you may be eligible to skip to 5th Kyu upon passing an official screening.
Documentation proving your current rank (certificates, etc.)
※ Examination Fee: 8,800 JPY
※ Payment is required only upon successfully passing the screening.

Important Notice: Since the fundamentals of Okinawa Karate often differ significantly from other styles, you will be required to study the curriculum for 6th Kyu and below in parallel with your twice-weekly training.
Mastering the Kata required for the lower ranks is essential.

For this reason, we strongly recommend starting from 10th Kyu, even for experienced martial artists who already hold a Shodan or higher in another style.

2. KARATE ONLINE SUI Promotion Process (5 Steps)

Learn with Practice Videos 10th KYU Free

Two new lessons are released each week, introducing new skills and explanations step by step.

For paid members

Check Form with Self-Recording

Use your smartphone or PC to objectively check your posture and movements.

For paid members

Group Feedback

Receive comments from instructors and peers in the forum and community.

From 9th KYU

Online Grading

Submit your required performance (Kata Exam) as a video. Graded using the same standards as a real dojo.

Certificate → Next KYU

Upon passing, you receive a digital certificate, and the content for the next KYU is unlocked.

3. Path to Shodan

Regarding 2nd Dan Ranks and Higher
New content for 2nd Dan+ and Instructor Training Courses are coming soon.
Requirement: To qualify for 2nd Dan and above, a set number of attendances at online or face-to-face seminars will be mandatory.
Locations: In addition to regular seminars in Okinawa, we will be expanding our in-person training to locations around the world.

4. Pricing Plans

KARATE ONLINE SUI has a simple pricing structure.

In addition to the monthly membership fee, payments are required when you successfully pass a promotion exam or participate in online training sessions.
Promotion Exams (Kyu/Dan Rankings)
Exams up to Junior Shodan: 2,200 JPY / attempt
1st Dan (Shodan) Exam: 11,000 JPY / attempt
※ Payment is required only upon successfully passing the exam.
※ The 8th and 9th Kyu exams are written tests and are free of charge.

Online Training Sessions
SUI offers a variety of web-based training sessions.
Group Training: From 2,200 JPY / session
Private Training: From 22,000 JPY / session
※Participation in these sessions is not a mandatory requirement for rank promotion.

5. Group Participation

For Dojo leaders considering joining as a group
It is possible to register as an officially certified affiliate of Shubukan Dojo.
Once registered as a certified organization, you will have access to the following benefits.
•Discounts for registered organizations
•Training programs to become a certified Shubukan Dojo instructor
•Ability to host online training sessions within the platform
•Access to group lesson features

We are also open to exploring other forms of flexible collaboration based on your specific needs.

For more information, please contact us via inquiry form.

For Educational Institutions considering integration into curricula or extracurricular activities
One of our primary goals at this online karate dojo is to provide children around the world with an opportunity to experience and learn the culture of traditional Okinawan Karate.
To support this, we have implemented a system that tracks and reports the number of training sessions attended for easy attendance management.
We also offer centralized management for participants through group registration.

We invite you to consider our program as an option for physical education (PE) classes, assignments during long school breaks, or as an after-school extracurricular activity.

6. Testimonials

7. Frequently Asked Questions