Resources for learning
shotokan karate

Shotokan Karate Belts and Kata

Learning karate is both rewarding and challenging. To progress through the different Kyu (grades) you will be encouraged to grade (examination), when your sensei or instructor think that you are ready.

Each Kyu is assigned a different colour with all beginners starting with a white belt right through to black – with hard work and dedication.

Depending on your grade or kyu you will be expected to learn a kata which is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging aspects of Karate. As you progress through your black belts you will be expected to know all of the kata below your dan grade and be able to perform anyone of them. A really useful set of diagrams of all of the Shotokan KATA can be downloaded if you follow the link below.

USEFUL diagrams of all Shotokan KATA

Below is a table showing the order of the belts awarded and which kata you will be expected to know to achieve the corresponding grade belt from Orange belt to black belt.

Click on the name of the kata in the list below to open a link to the Kokoro Karate Dojo YouTube Channel to view a video of the relevant kata

10th Kyu = Kihon Kata
9th Kyu = Heian Shodan
8th Kyu = Heian Nidan
7th Kyu = Heian Sandan
6th Kyu = Heian Yondan
5th Kyu = Heian Godan
4th Kyu = Tekki Shodan
3rd Kyu = Bassai Dai
2nd Kyu = Bassai Dai
1st Kyu = Bassai Dai
1st Dan = Kanku Dai