10 kyu¶

Introduction¶

10 kyu is the first basic grade, where the student begins to build karate in clear form. Here the foundation is laid for how the body should stand, how technique should travel in a straight direction, how simple blocks and kicks should be performed, and how focus is maintained through an entire sequence.

In Masutatsu Oyama’s teaching, real karate begins with the fundamentals. In This is Karate and Mas Oyama’s Essentials of Karate, the same principle appears again and again: the simple must be trained correctly and repeated until it gains form, stability, and control. At this level, the goal is therefore not variation or advanced application, but for the student to begin doing the basics properly.

What the student learns¶

At 10 kyu, the student learns to:

stand stably without becoming stiff
understand the difference between jodan, chudan, and gedan
strike straight with correct seiken
coordinate step and technique in simple forward movement
block with clear direction and clear finish
kick simply without losing balance
follow a fixed technical sequence in kata
move simply forward and backward in kumite
work with technique even under light physical load

Grading content¶

Stances¶

Fudō-dachi / Shizentai¶

A neutral and stable basic stance where the body is kept gathered, the weight even, and the posture upright. At 10 kyu, it teaches the student to stand correctly without becoming tense.

Heiko-dachi¶

A simple parallel basic stance that teaches the student to stand naturally, evenly, and without twisting the body unnecessarily. It helps the student understand symmetry, foot line, and calm posture.

Zenkutsu-dachi¶

A forward-directed working stance that teaches the student to carry technique forward with clear direction and balance. It gives the student the first real feeling for forward drive in basic technique.

In Oyama’s perspective, stances are not merely ways of standing, but the body’s basic structure for technique. It is therefore important that the student already learns order in feet, knees, hips, and upper body here.

Punches and thrusts¶

Seiken¶

Seiken is the basic fist form. In Mas Oyama’s Essentials of Karate, Oyama describes it as the strongest and most central fist form in basic training. The impact should pass through the first two knuckles, and the wrist and forearm should lie in a straight line at the moment of contact.

Seiken morote jodan tsuki¶

Double straight thrust to the upper level. This trains sense of height, symmetry, and correct fist form.

Seiken morote chudan tsuki¶

Double straight thrust to the middle section. This trains a straight technical path and stability through the center.

Seiken morote gedan tsuki¶

Double straight thrust to the lower level. This trains downward direction without the posture collapsing.

Seiken jodan oi tsuki¶

Forward-driving thrust to the upper level. This teaches the student to connect step and thrust in a simple linear movement.

Seiken chudan oi tsuki¶

Forward-driving thrust to the middle section. This teaches the student to carry the body forward behind the technique.

Seiken gedan oi tsuki¶

Forward-driving thrust to the lower level. This trains low direction in movement while maintaining structure.

At 10 kyu, the student should begin to understand that a strike is not only an arm movement. In both This is Karate and Mas Oyama’s Essentials of Karate, Oyama emphasizes that the thrust should go straight, that power should be carried into the impact, and that the body must support the technique. The student should therefore already begin to show correct fist form, straight line, correct retraction, and simple coordination between step and thrust.

Blocks¶

Seiken jodan uke¶

High block. This teaches the student to protect the upper level with a clear path and stable final position.

Seiken gedan barai¶

Low sweeping block. This teaches the student to move a low attack aside with direction, control, and bodily support.

In Oyama’s teaching, simple blocks like these belong to the first real basic training. The beginner must first understand direction, height, return, and body control before more compound defenses become meaningful.

Kicks¶

Hiza ganmen geri / Hiza geri¶

Knee technique to an upper target. This teaches the student to draw the knee up clearly, work at close range, and maintain balance on the supporting leg.

Kin geri¶

Straight kick to the groin. This trains a simple kicking line, control, and quick retraction.

At this level, the kicks are deliberately simple. Oyama repeatedly returns to the idea that control and correct form must come before variation and power. The student should therefore show balance, direction, and return rather than hard impact.

Kata¶

Taikyoku sono ichi¶

The first basic kata. It teaches the student to turn correctly, move on the correct line, maintain technique through the entire sequence, and preserve focus from beginning to end.

In This is Karate, Oyama describes taikyoku as a beginner form built to establish the most fundamental elements. The kata therefore trains not only the order of the movements, but also discipline, direction, rhythm, and sustained concentration.

Kumite no waza¶

Sequences¶

Oi ashi, Okuri ashi, Fumiashi, Kosa, Kosa
Oi ashi, Okuri ashi, Fumiashi, Kosa
Ushiro oi ashi, Ushiro okuri ashi, Ushiro fumiashi, Kosa, Kosa
Ushiro oi ashi, Ushiro okuri ashi, Ushiro fumiashi, Kosa

Explanation of the steps¶

Oi ashi¶

Sliding step forward. The student learns to move forward without losing posture or balance.

Okuri ashi¶

Following sliding step. This trains even movement, sense of distance, and body control.

Fumiashi¶

Short marked step. This trains ground contact, rhythm, and stability.

Kosa¶

Crossing or transitional footwork. It helps the student begin to understand coordination and transitions in movement.

Ushiro oi ashi¶

Backward variant of oi ashi. This trains retreat without the structure falling apart.

Ushiro okuri ashi¶

Backward sliding step. This trains balance and control during backward movement.

Ushiro fumiashi¶

Short marked step backward. This teaches the student that even retreat should be done with order.

At 10 kyu, this is not advanced fighting training. It is the first training in moving forward and backward without technique losing form. In This is Karate, Oyama describes kumite as dependent on the basic techniques, and for that reason footwork and simple movement must begin to be organized early.

Physical requirements¶

10 push-ups¶

Basic arm, shoulder, and trunk strength.

10 sit-ups¶

Basic abdominal strength and work capacity.

The physical requirements are simple but important. They show that karate is not only about recognizing techniques, but also about being able to carry the body with control during work. In Oyama’s teaching, the body is never separate from technique; sustainable technique requires that the body can support it.

Kumite¶

Jiyu kumite: 4¶

At this level, jiyu kumite does not mean that the student should be a finished fighter. It means that the student should begin to enter free form with courage, simple control, and respect for the partner. Posture, focus, calm, and self-restraint are what matter.

In Oyama’s way of seeing karate, kumite becomes alive only when the basics are present. At 10 kyu, advanced fighting ability is therefore not assessed, but whether the student can carry simple technique and the right attitude in free movement.

Terminology¶

The student should know related terminology in:

Japanese
English
their own language

At 10 kyu, this mainly means that the student begins to recognize and use the names of stances, thrusts, blocks, kicks, kata, and simple commands. Terminology is part of the training itself and helps the student understand instruction directly in the dojo.

What the instructor looks for¶

The instructor mainly looks for:

that the student can enter the correct stance without long hesitation
that seiken is formed correctly
that the levels of the techniques are correct: jodan, chudan, gedan
that the working hand and the retracted hand cooperate
that step and technique begin to connect
that the blocks have clear start, path, and finish
that the kicks are retracted after execution
that the student does not lose body posture in kata
that the student listens, tries to correct, and maintains focus
that the student shows respect and calm in kumite

At 10 kyu, variation or personal style is not assessed. What is assessed is basic correctness, control, concentration, and willingness to train properly. This is fully in line with Oyama’s emphasis that the beginner must first build a real foundation.

Common mistakes at 10 kyu¶

Common mistakes at this grade are:

allowing Fudō-dachi to become too wide or too stiff
allowing Heiko-dachi to lose its parallel line
allowing Zenkutsu-dachi to become too short, too long, or lose forward direction
striking with the wrong part of the fist
bending the wrist in the thrust
making oi tsuki an arm movement instead of step and technique together
lifting jodan uke without body control
making gedan barai a loose sweeping movement without a clear finish
making hiza geri a leg lift without clear knee work
throwing kin geri out without balance and without retraction
running through kata without direction and focus
becoming too tense and thereby losing rhythm and control

At beginner level, it is common for the student to want to do the technique quickly before it is organized. In Oyama’s line of thinking, the basic idea is the opposite: first correct form, then real strength and speed.

Summary¶

10 kyu is about beginning to do the simple things properly.

The student should not yet know a great deal, but what is included should begin to take correct form: correct stance, correct fist, correct direction, simple balance, clear blocking, simple kicking structure, first kata, and first movement in kumite. If the foundation is right here, the next step becomes natural. If the foundation is careless here, everything later must be rebuilt.

That is why 10 kyu is simple in content but important in meaning.