Red & White Belt C (6th Dan, 7th Dan, 8th Dan)

Promotion to Rokudan, Shichidan, and Hachidan

Rokudan (6th Dan)

Promotion to Rokudan (6th Dan) recognizes a senior judoka who has demonstrated decades of technical excellence, leadership, teaching ability, and dedication to the development of judo. At this level, candidates are expected to serve as mentors, instructors, and ambassadors for the sport.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Unquestioned moral character and maturity.
• Continued practice and lifelong commitment to judo.
• Advanced knowledge and teaching skills in Randori, Nagekomi, and Kata.
• Continued technical improvement and mastery of previous dan requirements.
• Strong coaching ability and a deep understanding of judo principles.
• Significant contributions to the growth and development of judo.
• A current USA Judo Regional Referee License or USA Judo National Coach Certification.

Required Kata

Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in:

• Nage-no-Kata
• Ju-no-Kata
• Katame-no-Kata
• Kime-no-Kata
• Kodokan Goshin Jutsu

Shichidan (7th Dan)

Promotion to Shichidan (7th Dan) recognizes exceptional technical knowledge, leadership, and long-term service to the judo community. Candidates are expected to have made a lasting impact through coaching, officiating, education, or organizational leadership.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Outstanding moral character and professionalism.
• Lifelong dedication to judo.
• Superior teaching and coaching ability.
• Advanced knowledge of Randori, Kata, and judo theory.
• Significant contributions to the promotion and development of judo.
• A current USA Judo National Referee License or USA Judo National Coach Certification.

Required Kata

Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in:

• Nage-no-Kata
• Ju-no-Kata
• Katame-no-Kata
• Kime-no-Kata
• Kodokan Goshin Jutsu
• Either Itsutsu-no-Kata or Koshiki-no-Kata

Hachidan (8th Dan)

Promotion to Hachidan (8th Dan) is one of the highest honors in judo. It is awarded to individuals who have achieved exceptional technical mastery while making extraordinary lifelong contributions to the growth, education, and philosophy of judo.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Outstanding moral character and maturity.
• Lifelong commitment to the practice and teaching of judo.
• Exceptional instructional and mentoring ability.
• Continued technical development and mastery of advanced judo principles.
• A current USA Judo National Referee License or USA Judo National Coach Certification.
• A thorough understanding of the philosophy, history, and principles of Kodokan Judo.
• Major contributions to USA Judo and the international judo community.

Required Kata

Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in:

• Nage-no-Kata
• Ju-no-Kata
• Katame-no-Kata
• Kime-no-Kata
• Kodokan Goshin Jutsu
• Itsutsu-no-Kata
• Koshiki-no-Kata

Understanding the Advanced Kata

At the senior dan levels, candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery of Kodokan's most advanced kata:

• Kodokan Goshin Jutsu – Modern self-defense techniques against armed and unarmed attacks.
• Itsutsu-no-Kata – A highly philosophical kata illustrating the fundamental principles of natural forces and movement in judo.
• Koshiki-no-Kata – A classical kata preserved from Kito-ryu Jujutsu, demonstrating traditional techniques originally performed while wearing samurai armor. It reflects the historical roots and advanced principles of Kodokan Judo.

These kata represent not only technical excellence but also a deep understanding of the history, philosophy, and spirit of judo, making them an essential part of promotion to the highest dan ranks.