10 kyu

Introduction

10 kyu is the first foundation grade, where the student begins to give karate a clear form. It establishes how to stand, move a technique in a straight line, perform simple blocks and kicks, and maintain focus throughout a sequence.

For Masutatsu Oyama, real karate begins with the basics. This is Karate and Mas Oyama’s Essentials of Karate return to the same principle: simple movements must be practised correctly and repeated until they develop form, stability and control. The aim here is to start doing the basics properly, before adding variety or advanced applications.

What the student learns

At 10 kyu the student learns to:

• stand steadily without becoming rigid;
• distinguish jodan, chudan and gedan;
• punch straight with a correctly formed seiken;
• coordinate a step and a technique in simple forward movement;
• block with a clear direction and finish;
• perform simple kicks without losing balance;
• follow a fixed technical sequence in kata;
• move forwards and backwards simply in kumite;
• maintain technique under light physical effort.

Grading content

Stances

Fudō-dachi / Shizentai

A neutral, stable foundation stance with the body held together, weight evenly distributed and posture upright. At 10 kyu it teaches correct standing without unnecessary tension.

Heiko-dachi

A simple parallel stance that teaches natural, even standing without unnecessary twisting. It develops an understanding of symmetry, foot alignment and calm posture.

Zenkutsu-dachi

A forward working stance that teaches the student to carry technique forwards with direction and balance. It gives the first clear experience of forward drive in basic technique.

For Oyama, stances provide the body's structure for technique. The feet, knees, hips and upper body therefore need to be organised from the beginning.

Strikes and punches

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. Contact passes through the first two knuckles, with wrist and forearm aligned at impact.

Seiken morote jodan tsuki

A double straight punch to the upper level, training height awareness, symmetry and correct fist formation.

Seiken morote chudan tsuki

A double straight punch to the middle level, training a straight path and stability through the centre.

Seiken morote gedan tsuki

A double straight punch to the lower level, training downward direction without collapsing the posture.

Seiken jodan oi tsuki

A forward-driving punch to the upper level, connecting the step and punch in a simple linear movement.

Seiken chudan oi tsuki

A forward-driving punch to the middle level, teaching the student to carry the body forwards behind the technique.

Seiken gedan oi tsuki

A forward-driving punch to the lower level, training a low direction while moving with structure intact.

At 10 kyu the student begins to understand that punching involves more than the arm. In both cited books, Oyama stresses a straight punch, power carried into the contact and support from the body. The student should begin to show correct fist formation, alignment, retraction and simple coordination of step and punch.

Blocks

Seiken jodan uke

A high block, teaching protection of the upper level with a clear path and stable finishing position.

Seiken gedan barai

A low sweeping block, teaching the student to divert a low attack with direction, control and support from the body.

For Oyama, these simple blocks belong to the first foundation training. Direction, height, recovery and body control must be understood before more complex defences become meaningful.

Kicks

Hiza ganmen geri / Hiza geri

A knee technique towards an upper target, teaching a clear knee lift, close-range work and balance on the supporting leg.

Kin geri

A straight kick towards the groin, training a simple kicking line, control and quick retraction.

These kicks are deliberately simple at this level. Oyama repeatedly places control and correct form before variety and power. The student should demonstrate balance, direction and recovery rather than a hard impact.

Kata

Taikyoku sono ichi

The first basic kata teaches correct turns and lines, sustained technique throughout the sequence and focus from beginning to end.

In This is Karate, Oyama describes taikyoku as a beginner's form designed to establish the fundamentals. It develops discipline, direction, rhythm and sustained concentration as well as movement order.

Kumite no waza

Sequences

1. Oi ashi, Okuri ashi, Fumiashi, Kosa, Kosa
2. Oi ashi, Okuri ashi, Fumiashi, Kosa
3. Ushiro oi ashi, Ushiro okuri ashi, Ushiro fumiashi, Kosa, Kosa
4. Ushiro oi ashi, Ushiro okuri ashi, Ushiro fumiashi, Kosa

Explanation of the steps

Oi ashi

A forward sliding step, teaching advance without losing posture or balance.

Okuri ashi

A following sliding step, training even movement, distance awareness and body control.

Fumiashi

A short, deliberate step, training ground contact, rhythm and stability.

Kosa

Crossing or transitional footwork that introduces coordination and transitions in movement.

Ushiro oi ashi

The backward version of oi ashi, training retreat without losing structure.

Ushiro okuri ashi

A backward sliding step, training balance and control while moving backwards.

Ushiro fumiashi

A short, deliberate backward step, teaching that retreat also requires organisation.

At 10 kyu this is introductory movement training rather than advanced fighting: the student moves forwards and backwards while preserving technical form. In This is Karate, Oyama presents kumite as dependent on basic technique; footwork and simple movement therefore need to be organised early.

Physical requirements

10 push-ups

Basic arm, shoulder and trunk strength.

10 sit-ups

Basic abdominal strength and work capacity.

These simple requirements matter because karate involves carrying the body with control during effort, beyond recognising techniques. In Oyama's approach the body and technique are inseparable: lasting technique requires physical support.

Kumite

Jiyu kumite: 4

The student begins to enter free practice with courage, simple control and respect for the partner. A finished fighter is not expected. Posture, focus, calm and self-control matter most.

For Oyama, kumite comes alive when the foundations are present. At 10 kyu assessment therefore concerns simple technique and the right attitude in free movement, before advanced fighting ability.

Terminology

The student should know the relevant terminology in:

• Japanese;
• English;
• their own language.

This means beginning to recognise and use the names of stances, punches, blocks, kicks, kata and simple commands. Terminology is part of training and helps the student understand instruction directly in the dojo.

What the instructor looks for

The instructor primarily looks for:

• entering the correct stance without prolonged hesitation;
• correct seiken formation;
• correct technical levels: jodan, chudan, gedan;
• coordination of the working hand and the retracting hand;
• the beginning of coordination between step and technique;
• blocks with a clear start, path and finish;
• retraction after kicking;
• posture maintained in kata;
• listening, attempts to correct mistakes and sustained focus;
• respect and calm in kumite.

Assessment concerns basic correctness, control, concentration and willingness to train properly, rather than variety or personal style. This follows Oyama's emphasis on first building a sound foundation.

Common errors at 10 kyu

Common errors include:

• Fudō-dachi becoming too wide or rigid;
• Heiko-dachi losing its parallel alignment;
• Zenkutsu-dachi being too short, too long or losing forward direction;
• punching with the wrong part of the fist;
• bending the wrist during the punch;
• performing oi tsuki with the arm alone instead of coordinating step and technique;
• raising jodan uke without body control;
• making gedan barai a loose sweep without a clear finish;
• performing hiza geri as a leg lift without clear knee action;
• throwing kin geri without balance or retraction;
• rushing through kata without direction or focus;
• excessive tension that disrupts rhythm and control.

Beginners often seek speed before the technique is organised. Oyama's starting principle is correct form first, followed by real strength and speed.

Summary

10 kyu is about beginning to do simple things properly. The limited material should start to acquire the right form: stance, fist, direction, balance, blocks, kick structure, the first kata and initial kumite movement. A sound foundation makes the next step natural; a careless one has to be rebuilt later. That is why this simple grade matters.