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Belts/Grading System

Junior Grades The junior grading system is universal through all branches of the Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association of Australia. This belt system is for karate students under 14 years old. Juniors start as a white belt before going through the below grades.N.B. When tying a belt, the stripes should end up on the right side.
Senior Grades The senior grading system is universal through all branches of the Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association of Australia. This belt system is for karate students over 14 years old. Seniors start as a white belt (mukyu - no grade) before going through the below kyu system. This system mirrors the system created by Osensei Shoshin Nagamine.
Black Belt Grades The black belt grading system is unversal through all branches of the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do Association and all assocations under Soke Takayoshi Nagamine. Black belt karate students are refered to as 'yudansha'.N.B. A 'dan' is often refered to as 'degree of black belt', for example a 1st Dan (Shodan) may often be called a '1st degree black belt'.
Forms of addressWithin the dojo, certain students and instructors are addressed with specific terms. These are used to pay respect to those who are senior to you. For example, you would call your instructor 'sensei' in class.
Title - Literal meaningSan (さん) - Mr / MsSenpai (先輩) - Senior (One who is senior)Sensei (先生) - Teacher (One who has gone before)Osensei (大先生) - Grandmaster / Founder (Great Teacher)
Positions within the dojoThese titles are used to identify instructors who hold special positions within the dojo or association.
Positions - DefinitionKancho (館長) - Branch Director / Dojo OwnerHonbucho (本部長) - National Director / Chief InstructorRijicho (理事長) - Association Board ChairmanFuku-Kaicho (副会長) - Association Vice-PresidentKaicho (会長) - Association PresidentSoke (宗家) - Headmaster / Head of style
Shogo System (Teaching Titles)These titles are given separate and in addition to the normal grade in order to recognise the ability of an experienced senior instructor. You do not verbally refer to someone using these titles.
Shogo Title - Grade - Definition (Literal meaning)Renshi (錬士) - 6th Dan - Senior Instructor (Polished expert)Kyoshi (教士) - 7th & 8th Dan - Expert Instructor (Teaching expert)Hanshi (範士) - 9th & 10th Dan - Master Instructor (Model expert)Hanshisei (範士正) - Head of Style, 10th Dan - Senior Master Instructor (Senior model expert)

Kata

Eighteen (18) kata are practiced in Matsubayashi-ryu. In addition to the 18 kata, 7 Yakusoku kumite forms are practiced. Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Yakusoku forms were heavily influenced by Choki Motobu. Fukyugata (Promotional Kata)Fukyugata I was created by Osensei Shoshin Nagamine in 1941 and Fukyugata II by the Master of Goju-ryu, Sensei Chojun Miyagi. These two introductory kata were originally requested to be created by a special committee of all the Okinawan Karate-do Association organized and summoned by the governor of Okinawa at that time, Mr. Gen Hayakawa. The reason for the inception of these two introductory kata was to allow beginners and school children to approach Karate practice in the most lenient way possible. Pinan (Peaceful mind / Safe from harm)Pinan I through V were created by Anko Itosu in approximately 1907 and were intended to be practiced by high school students as an integral part of the regular curriculum. Naihanchi (Ground between the ankles)The composer of Naihanchi Shodan through Sandan is unknown. These ancient kata were the introductory ones to Karate for beginners before the Fukyugata and Pinan kata were composed. Ananku (Peaceful South Sky)The composer of this kata is unknown. The characteristic of this kata is noted by the lunging stances for defensive and offensive movements. Wankan / Okan (King's Crown)The composer of this kata is unknown also, but it has a long history. This kata was practiced mostly in Tomari Village. The characteristics of this kata are its elegance combined with powerful movements of attack and defense sequences. Rohai (Clear mirror)The composer of this kata is also unknown, but it has a long history as well. This kata also was mostly practiced in the village of Tomari. The characteristic of this kata is the one-foot stances where the other foot is drawn to deliver a quick snap-kick. It is a short kata but is very elegant looking. Wanshu (Name of person)It is believed that this kata was brought to Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese envoy named Wanshu; but later, this kata was reformed and developed by Karate men of Tomari Village. The characteristic of this kata is the execution of hidden fist punches. Passai (Storming the fortress)The composer of this kata is also unknown. The characteristic of this kata is the execution of knife-hand techniques. This kata was the favourite of many Karate men of Tomari Village. Gojushiho (literally '54 Steps')The composer of this kata is also unknown. Goju-Shi-Ho literally means 54 steps. The characteristics of this kata are the spear-hand thrust and the resemblance of a drunken man's movements. Chinto (Fighter to the East - name of person)The composer of this kata is unknown. The characteristics of this kata are the execution of a flying kick, and every movement is composed in a diagonally straight line. This kata originates from Tomari Village. Chatan Yara Kusanku (Name of person)This kata was adopted and developed by Okinawan Karate men after it was brought to Okinawa in 1761 by a Chinese Martial Artist named Kusanku. This kata is the most magnificent and advanced kata of all Matsubayashi-ryu Karate. It is also the longest and most difficult kata, requiring painstaking practice for more than a decade for mastery.

Dojo Etiquette

1. No idle chatter, smoking, alcohol, eating, chewing gum, etc. in the dojo.
2. All karateka must bow before entering and upon leaving the dojo. To those who practice karate the dojo is sacred place. We bow when entering the dojo to affirm our intention to train hard and seriously and we bow when leaving to show thanks for a good training session.
3. All karateka must bow to instructors or visiting instructors. We emphasis politeness at all times in the dojo and seek to cultivate a spirit based on humility and respect.
4. When the instructor or visiting instructor enter/exit the dojo, all karateka must stop whatever they are doing and face the sensei at the door and bow. Each person should seek to develop as a degree of training of the mind as it does the body.
5. A karate gi or loose comfortable clothing must be worn. No socks or shoes are permitted.
6. Show absolute obedience to your sensei. All instruction from the sensei or designated instructor must be followed.
7. Call your instructor "sensei".
8. Always acknowledge criticism given by the instructor or any other person. Respond to the sensei or black belt instructor with the word "Hai."
9. Never stand around with your hands on your waist. The standing position is one assumed just before kata or yoi, namely two clenched fists in front of the body in standing position.
10. When sitting, always sit cross-legged or in seiza position.
11. Fingernails and toenails should be regularly cut in order to prevent injury.
12. Jewellery should not be worn in the dojo. It has no place in the dojo and can easily be broken or even cause injury.
13. In all practice, emphasis is placed on control, accuracy and non-contact.
14. Do not attempt to learn or teach new forms without the expressed permission of the sensei.
15. The dojo is to be kept clean by all students. Please help to keep the floor dry, clean and free of objects. Please look for a broom to sweep the floor as soon as you enter the dojo, before the start of class. Each student should do his or her part to contribute to a proper training environment.
16. If you arrive late, wait, standing in fudo dachi until recognized by the sensei, bow and say "SHITSUREI SHIMASU" (Excuse me for being late), bow again and then join the class, walking around other karateka and entering the line from the back.
17. Report immediately to the sensei any injury or illness.
18. All karateka must stay inside the dojo. Inform the sensei if you must leave the dojo. Then follow normal procedures for leaving the dojo.
19. Please check for all personal belongings before leaving the dojo.
20. Whatever you do, do it with all your might. Strengthen weak hands. Make your knees strong. Don't say "I'll work hard at a later time", etc. Practice a technique in the exact manner you'd apply it - with full force.
21. Each student is considered an integral part of the karate school. Should it become necessary to discontinue training for any reason, please notify the instructor. This is so we may have an accurate and up-to-date record of all students.
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