Belt Rankings
Katas
 
Belt Rankings
Junior
White Belt - Novice
Yellow Belt White Stripe
Yellow Belt
Orange Belt White Stripe
Orange Belt
Green Belt White Stripe
Green Belt
Blue Belt White Stripe
Blue Belt
Purple Belt White Stripe
Purple Belt
Red Belt White Stripe
Red Belt
Brown Belt White Stripe
Brown Belt Two White Stripes
Brown Belt
Junior Black Belt White Stripe
Junior Black Belt Two White Stripes
Senior
Yellow Belt
Orange Belt
Green Belt
Blue Belt
Purple Belt
First Brown Belt
Second Brown Belt
Third Brown Belt
Shodan Black Belt
 
 
Katas

Currently, Shotokan recognizes 26 memorized forms, or kata. Until a student reaches the brown belt stage, one new kata should be learned for each successive kyu (not sub colour belts) exam, beginning with Heian Shodan for the 8th kyu exam. By the time a student tests for brown belt, that student should know all five Heians, plus Tekki Shodan. For the black belt exam, a student needs to also know Bassai Dai, Jion and Kanku Dai. Approximately three Kata's are then learnt for every Dan graded, although most serious karateka will know several more kata's than required.

 
Kata
Movements
Picture
 
Heian Shodan
21
 
Heian Nidan
26
 

Heian Sandan

20
 
Heian Yodan
27
 
Heiam Godan
23
 
Tekki Shodan
29
 
Tekki Nedan
24
 
Tekki Sandan
36
 
Bassai Dai
42
 
Bassai Sho
27
 
Kanku Dai
65
 
Kanku Sho
47
 
Hangetsu
41
 
Gankaku
42
 
Empi
37
 
Jion
47
 
Jite
24
 
Nijushiho
33
 
Jin
37
 
Meikyo
32
 
Sochin
40
 
Chinte
33
 
Wankan
35
 
Unsu
48
 
Gojushiho Dai
62