Holloway's Isshin-ryu Karate School

Traditional Isshin-ryu in Waterford, Michigan

Written tests

Go Kyu

  1. What style of karate are you studying?
  2. What does the word karate mean?
  3. Translate the word “rei” into English.
  4. Why are the toes curled upward while executing a mae geri?
  5. Describe the function of the 10th exercise in detail?
  6. Where was karate developed as a fighting art?
  7. What is an obi?
  8. Translate the word kata.
  9. How many forms of bows are there and list at least three places where they are used.
  10. What is a code of karate?
  11. What is the name of the first kata that is taught in this style of karate?
  12. What is a sensei?
  13. Give two reasons for wearing a gi.
  14. List four reasons for learning the fifteen basic exercises.
  15. What is kumite and how many types of kumite exist?
  16. What is a kyu rank?
  17. List four things that are stressed while learning your first kata.
  18. Which is more important, form or speed?
  19. What is a Go Ryu?
  20. Describe the ninth exercise in detail.
  21. How many basic kicks are there in this style of karate?
  22. Why is the thumb placed on the top of the fist?
  23. What is a Mae Geri?
  24. What is your sensei's rank?

Yon Kyu

  1. How many obvious kicks are there in Seiunchin?
  2. How man blocks are in Seiunchin?
  3. Describe the position of the feet in a Seiunchin stance.
  4. What leg has the most weight when standing in a cat stance?
  5. What is a kiai?
  6. What is the blade edge of the hand called?
  7. What does the word geri mean?
  8. What is a code of karate?
  9. What is a karate-ka?
  10. Explain your fourteenth exercise in detail?
  11. List four things that are concentrated on while learning Seiunchin.
  12. What is another code of karate?
  13. What is an empi?
  14. What is a uraken?
  15. What is the term for a referee?
  16. Give two reasons for using a kiai.
  17. What is a yudansha?
  18. What is a seiken?
  19. List the order of the colors in the Isshin-Ryu ranking system.
  20. What is a dan?
  21. Who is the Grand Master of Isshin-Ryu karate?
  22. Translate the work hajime.
  23. What is kumite?
  24. Describe a nukite strike.
  25. List four reasons for studying karate.

San Kyu

  1. What is the purpose of the formalities in karate?
  2. Which kick is used in Seisan?
  3. What direction is the basic movement in Nai-Hanchi?
  4. Why is the heel lifted and lowered to the floor near the end of Seisan?
  5. What is a code of karate?
  6. What does karate-do mean?
  7. What is a shodan?
  8. What kata is known for its fake kicks?
  9. Translate the word dojo.
  10. What does the word yame mean?
  11. What is the blade edge of the foot called?
  12. Describe the fifteenth exercise in detail.
  13. What does the word ryu mean?
  14. How many empty handed katas are there?
  15. Give the terminology for the sixth exercise.
  16. What is the chief characteristic of Isshin-Ryu karate?
  17. What does the word uke mean?
  18. What is a Tachi-rei?
  19. What is another code of karate?
  20. When punching or blocking, explain the use of breath control.
  21. What is the most polite bow?
  22. Explain how to make an Isshin-Ryu fist.
  23. Who was Shimabuku’s first instructor?
  24. At what age did Shimabuku begin studying karate?
  25. Name the two styles that Isshin-Ryu was derived from?

Ni Kyu

  1. Explain the use of the eleventh exercise.
  2. What is a bo?
  3. List five reasons for katas being stressed in Isshin-Ryu karate.
  4. What is the function of kotiki-tai?
  5. Explain the difference between ippon kumite and jiu kumite.
  6. In what city did Shimabuku live in?
  7. What is a code of karate?
  8. What two styles of karate were combined to form Isshin-Ryu?
  9. Which Direction is Nahanchi karate performed in?
  10. Name a kata that contains a zenkutsu dachi stance.
  11. What is Chinto known for?
  12. Who were Shimabuku’s instructors?
  13. How many katas are there in Isshin-Ryu?
  14. What is the common name for the Isshin-Ryu patch?
  15. What is the terminology for the rank of green belt?
  16. Why are the feet turned in in Nahanchi?
  17. What is a sai?
  18. In what kata is a cross punch used?
  19. What is the function of the last movement in Seiunchin?
  20. What does a clenched fist and an open hand signify?
  21. Describe the throw in Wansu.
  22. Who is Gichin Funichoshi and what was he known for?
  23. What is a kime?
  24. What is a makiwara?
  25. What is essential to all stances?

Ii Kyu

  1. Why are the feet positioned shoulder-width apart and straight down the outside edge while standing in the ready position?
  2. Explain the use of the hips in the fifteenth exercise?
  3. Explain in detail what a sensei is?
  4. What are the two main goals of karate?
  5. Name the two katas in Isshin-Ryu that contain throws.
  6. Why are the feet turned in during Sanchin?
  7. What is Kusanku kata specifically designed for?
  8. Why is there discipline in karate?
  9. What is a shote?
  10. What kata has reinforced punches and blocks?
  11. Define focus.
  12. Which is the most important: kata, or kumite?
  13. Why do you bow to your opponent before kumite?
  14. List five functions that the fifteen exercises perform.
  15. Is breaking a necessary part of karate training?
  16. In what kata do you strike with your knee?
  17. How many times is empi used in Chinto?
  18. List two reasons for doing pushups?
  19. How do build up your speed?
  20. How do you sharpen your reflexes?
  21. What is koshi?
  22. In which direction are you facing at the end of all katas?
  23. In which kata is a side snap kick used?
  24. Translate the phrase Isshin-Ryu Karate Do.
  25. Explain the symbolism behind the Isshin-Ryu patch?