Understanding the 4th, 5th and 6th Dan Grading Syllabuses in Jissenkō Ryū Karate

One of the most common questions I get is why the 4th, 5th and 6th Dan grading syllabuses in Jissenkō Ryū Karate look very similar on paper. Some people expect huge technical jumps or entirely different content at each level. That expectation comes from misunderstanding what Dan grades are meant to represent.

From 4th Dan onwards, the syllabus is no longer about learning new techniques. It is about raising the standard of everything you already know.

Small Differences on Paper — Huge Differences in Reality

Yes, if you read the 4th, 5th and 6th Dan syllabuses side by side, the differences appear small. The technique lists overlap heavily. The kata requirements look familiar. The drills and self-defence scenarios remain recognisable.

That is intentional.

From this level onward, Dan grades are not awarded for variety — they are awarded for depth, clarity, pressure handling, and understanding.

A 5th Dan grading done at a 4th Dan standard is a fail — even if every technique is technically “correct”. Likewise, a 6th Dan performance that looks like a strong 5th Dan is not enough. The syllabus does not change dramatically, but the expectations do.

The Rule That Matters Most: Standard, Not Content

From 4th Dan upward:

• The techniques must be cleaner, sharper, and more efficient

• Power must be better controlled, not just increased

• Movement must show intent, awareness, and economy

• Bunkai must demonstrate deeper understanding, not memorisation

• Self-defence must show judgement, legality, and restraint — not just effectiveness

• Written work must show maturity of thought, reflection, and real comprehension

You are not being tested on what you know anymore — you are being tested on how well you understand it.

This principle applies at every grading in Jissenkō Ryū Karate, but it becomes non-negotiable from 4th Dan onward.

Kata: Same Forms, Higher Thinking

The kata requirements do not suddenly change at each Dan level — but the thinking behind them must.

At higher Dan grades:

• Timing must be intentional

• Breathing must be correct

• Transitions must be purposeful

• Bunkai must reflect real-world application, not tradition for tradition’s sake

Invented kata must also evolve. You cannot recycle the same ideas, structures, or bunkai concepts across Dan levels. Each tier must demonstrate progression in thought, not repetition.

6th Dan: Instructor First, Fighter Always

To even qualify for 6th Dan in Jissenkō Ryū Karate, you must already hold:

• Sensei Qualification Level 1

• Sensei Qualification Level 2

• Sensei Qualification Level 3

This is non-negotiable.

By 6th Dan, you are no longer being assessed as just a martial artist — you are being assessed as a leader, educator, and standard-bearer of the system. Your ability to explain, justify, and teach is as important as your ability to fight.

That said, skill is never replaced by theory. The physical standard still rises. Conditioning, pressure drills, sparring, and decision-making under stress all become harder — not easier.

Why This System Exists

Some systems inflate Dan grades by constantly adding new material. Others stagnate by locking people into time-served promotions. Jissenkō Ryū Karate does neither.

Our approach is simple:

• The syllabus sets the boundary

• The standard decides the rank

If you meet the syllabus but not the standard, you fail.

If you exceed the standard early, you advance.

If it takes years, that’s fine too.

From 4th Dan onward, the difference between ranks is not in the list — it is in the person standing in front of the examiner.

That is intentional.

That is honest.

And that is how Dan grades should work.