Junior 8th Degree Promotion Requirements
  Minimum Age: 12 Years Minimum time at Jr. 7th Degree:  9 months  
  Typical time at Jr. 7th Degree: 9-15 months  
     
  The formal part of the promotion consists of 1/2 written and 1/2 performance. The written is made up of General Information and Vocabulary while the performance is the actual demonstration of throws, hold-downs, arm-bars, chokes, and various other techniques.  Click on the hyperlinks below to hear the names in Japanese.  
     
 

General Information

  
 

Junior Ranks (under 17 years old)

  
 
  10th Degree Purple Obi
  9th Degree Blue with Purple Stripe Obi
  8th Degree Blue Obi
  7th Degree Green with Blue Stripe Obi
  6th Degree Green Obi
  5th Degree Orange with Green Stripe Obi
  4th Degree Orange Obi
  3rd Degree Yellow with Orange Stripe Obi
  2nd Degree Yellow Obi
  1st Degree White with Yellow Stripe Obi
 
     
     
 

Judo History

  
  Judo was formalized as a sport in 1882 by Jigoro Kano who opened the Kodokan (School for the study of the way) in Tokyo, Japan.  Judo was first introduced as an Olympic sport in 1964 in Tokyo, Japan.  
     
  Unarmed combat in Japan was called Ju-Jitsu, which means "The Gentle Art" and was practiced for about 600-1000 years before Judo was created.  
     
     
 

Two Slogans Of Judo

  
  Seiryoku Zenyo - Maximum Efficient Use of Mind and Body
Jita Kyoei - Mutual Benefit and Welfare		  
     
  You must know these 2 slogans of Judo!!  
     
     
 

Count To 10 In Japanese

  
 
Ichi - One San - Three Go - Five Shichi - Seven Ku - Nine
Ni - Two Shi - Four Roku - Six Hachi - Eight Ju - Ten
 
     
     
 

Name The 3 Elements Of A Successful Judo Throw

  
  Kuzushi - Balance                      Tsukuri - Entry                       Kake - Execution  
     
     
 

Name The 3 Parts Of Unarmed Combat

  
 
Striking Techniques Atemi Waza
Throwing Techniques Nage Waza
Grappling Techniques Ne Waza
 
     
     
 

Name The 2 Divisions Of Throwing Techniques

  
 
Standing Techniques Tachi Waza
Sacrifice Techniques Sutemi Waza
 
     
     
 

Name The 3 Divisions Of Standing Throwing Techniques

  
 
Hand Techniques Te Waza
Hip/Waist Techniques Koshi Waza
Foot/Leg Techniques Ashi Waza
 
     
     
 

Name The 2 Divisions Of Sacrifice Throwing Techniques

  
 
Straight Sacrifice Techniques Ma Sutemi Waza
Side Sacrifice Techniques Yoko Sutemi Waza
 
     
     
 

Happo No Kuzushi (Eight Directions of Off-Balancing)

  
 
Hidari Mae Sumi Ma Mae Migi Mae Sumi
     
Hidari Yoko (from Uke's perspective) Migi Yoko
     
Hidari Ushiro Sumi Ma Ushiro Migi Ushiro Sumi
 
     
     
 

Name the 9 Kata the Kodokan Formally Recognizes: 

  
 
  Nage No Kata Forms of Throwing
  Katame No Kata Forms of Grappling
  Ju No Kata Forms of Gentleness
  Goshin Jutsu No Kata Forms of Self-Defense
  Kime No Kata Forms of Decision
  Joshi Goshinho No Kata Forms of Self-Defense for Women
  Itsutsu No Kata Forms of Five Principles
  Koshiki No Kata Forms of Antiquity
  Seiryoku Zenyo Kokuimin Taiiku Maximum Efficiency Physical Exercises
 
     
     
 

Methods Of Walking In Judo

  
 
Normal Way of Walking Ayumi Ashi
Following Foot Way of Walking Tsugi Ashi
 
     
     
 

Postures Of Judo

  
 
Shizen Hontai - Basic Natural Posture Jigo Hontai - Basic Defensive Posture
Migi Shizentai - Right Natural Posture Migi Jigotai - Right Defensive Posture
Hidari Shizentai - Left Natural Posture Hidari Jigotai - Left Defensive Posture
 
     
     
 

Name The 3 Divisions Of Mat Techniques

  
 
Strangulation Techniques Shime Waza
Joint Locking Techniques Kansetsu Waza
Immobilization Techniques Osaekomi Waza
 
     
     
 

Senior Judo Ranks

  
 
Judan 10th Degree Red Obi
Kudan 9th Degree Red Obi
Hachidan 8th Degree Red & White Obi
Shichidan 7th Degree Red & White Obi
Rokudan 6th Degree Red & White Obi
Godan 5th Degree Black Obi
Yodan 4th Degree Black Obi
Sandan 3rd Degree Black Obi
Nidan 2nd Degree Black Obi
Shodan 1st Degree Black Obi
Ikkyu 1st Class Brown Obi
Nikyu 2nd Class Brown Obi
Sankyu 3rd Class Brown Obi
Yonkyu 4th Class Green Obi
Gokyu 5th Class Orange Obi
Rokkyu 6th Class Yellow Obi
 
     
     
 

Men Who Attained 10th Degree (Judan) While They Were Still Living:

  
 
  Hidekazu Nagaoka - 1937 (1876 - 1952) Kunisaburo Iizuka - 1946 (1875 - 1958)
  Kyuzo Mifune - 1945 (1884 - 1965) Kaichiro Samura - 1948 (1880 - 1965)
  Shotaro Tobata - 1948 (1885 - 1950) Hajime Isogai - 1937 (1871 - 1947)
  Yoshiaki Yamashita - 1935 (1856 - 1935) Sumiyuki Kotani - 1984 (1903 - 1991)
  Toshiro Daigo - 2006 (1926 - ) Ichiro Abe - 2006 (1923 - )
  Yoshimi Osawa - 2006 (1927 - )  
 
     
  As an alternate, you may also list the only woman ever promoted to the rank of Kudan.
Fukuda Sensei was promoted to Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt) in 2006 when she was 90.		  
 
  Keiko Fukuda - 2006 (1915 - )  
 
     
     
 

Ultimate Goal of Judo as Defined by Jigoro Kano:

  
  The harmonious development and eventual perfection of human character.  
     
     
 

Tactical Variables for Randori/Shiai

  
 
  G - Grip   P - Posture
  E - Edge of the Mat   A - Angle of Attack
  T - Tempo   D - Defense
 
     
     
 

Vocabulary

  
 
Judo The Gentle Way   Kiotsuke Attention
Rei Bow   Judoka Judo Players
Ukemi Falls   Guruma Wheel
Soto Outside   O Major
Gari Reap   Koshi or Goshi Hip
Sensei Teacher   Uchikomi Practice without throwing
Hiza Knee   Uke Receiver of a technique
Kata Shoulder   Matte Stop
Tori Giver of a technique   Seoi Shoulder
Gatame or Katame Lock/Hold   Kake Execution of a technique
Ippon (tournament call) One Point!   Nage Throw
Hajime Begin   Seiza Sitting on Knees
Anza Sitting Cross-legged   Kesa Scarf
 
     
     
 
Obi Belt   Ashi Foot/leg
Uchi Inside   Ko Minor
Ju Gentle   Do Way
Kuzure Modified/Broken   De Advanced
Maitta I surrender   Dan Black Belt Grade
Waza Technique   Judogi Judo Uniform
Hidari Left   Migi Right
Kyu Student Ranks   Kuzushi off-balancing
Waza Ari 1/2 Point   Kumi Command to Grip Gi
Ayumi Ashi Normal Way of Walking   Tsugi Ashi Following Foot Way of Walking
Nami Normal   Dojo Practice hall
 
     
     
 
Randori Free Practice   Harai or Barai Sweep
Eri Collar/Lapel   Uki Floating
Tai Body   Te Hand
Otoshi Drop   Tsurikomi Lift-pull
Sasae Propping   Yoko Side
Juji Cross   Ude Arm
Shiho 4 Corners   Ushiro Rear
Osaekomi Hold Down   Shime or Jime Choke/Strangle
Gyaku Reverse   Zempo Kaiten Ukemi Forward Rolling Fall
Hai Yes   Kami Upper
Iie No      
 
     
     
 
Tai Sabaki Body Turning   Sumi Corner
Shiai Contest   Okuri Sliding
Hon Fundamental/Basic   Toketa Hold Down Broken
Yuko Major Minor Point   Tatami Straw Mats
Koka Minor Minor Point   Yoshi Continue
Kumikata Forms of Gripping   Hansoku Make Disqualification
Sore Made That's All!   Sono Mama Don't Move!
Waza-ari Awasete Ippon 2 half points equal 1 point   Happo No Kuzushi Eight Directions of Off-Balancing
Domo Arigato Thank you!   Chui Major-Minor Penalty
Tate Vertical or Upper   Morote Two Hands
Keikoku 1/2 Point Penalty   Shido Minor-Minor Penalty
 
     
     
 
Budo Martial Arts   Bushido The Way Of The Warrior
Gonosen No Kata Forms of Counter Throwing   Renraku Waza Combination Techniques
Rokkyu 6th Class Rank   Gokyu 5th Class Rank
Yonkyu 4th Class Rank   Sankyu 3rd Class Rank
Nikyu 2nd Class Rank   Ikkyu 1st Class Rank
Shodan 1st Degree Black Belt   Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt
Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt   Yodan 4th Degree Black Belt
Godan 5th Degree Black Belt   Rokudan 6th Degree Black Belt
Shichidan 7th Degree Black Belt   Hachidan 8th Degree Black Belt
Kudan 9th Degree Black Belt   Judan 10th Degree Black Belt
Itsutsu No Kata Forms of Five Principles   Jigotai Defensive Posture
Makikomi Winding Pull   Mata Thigh
Katame No Kata Forms of Grappling   Nage No Kata Forms of Throwing
Koho Ukemi Rear Falls   Renraku No Kata Forms of Combinations
 
     
     
 
Batsugun Instant Promotion   Ju Jitsu Gentle Art/Science
Bogyo Defense To An Attack   Gokyo No Waza 5 Stages of Techniques
Tsukuri Entry Into A Technique   Jigo Hontai Basic Defensive Posture
Hane Springing Actions   Onegai Shimasu Please
Kata Prearranged Forms   Kiai Shout of Spirit
Ki Inner Spirit of Energy   Ne Waza Techniques from Supine Position
Mudansha Holder of a Student Rank   Sukoshi A Little
Sukashi Avoiding or Evading   Ritsu Rei Standing Bow
Sukui Scooping   Sutemi Sacrifice
Shizen Hontai Basic Natural Posture   Tatsu Stand
Tani Valley   Sutemi Waza Sacrifice Throwing Techniques
Tachi Waza Standing Techniques   Tsubame Gaeshi Swallow-Flight Counter
Tomoe Circle   Waki Arm-pit
Uwagi Jacket      
 
     
     
 
Kaiten Rolling   Gachi or Kachi Win Of Any Type
Jita Kyoei Mutual Benefit and Welfare   Hishigi To Crush - As In Arm-Bar
Fusen Gachi Win By Forfeit   Seiryoku Zenyo Maximum Efficient Use Of
   Mind and Body
Hairi Kata Entry Methods Into Matwork
Hiki Wake Draw! In A Match   Zubon Judo Gi Pants
Ma Straight In Any Direction   Make Loss of Any Type
Ma Sutemi Waza Straight Sacrifice Throws   Yoko Sutemi Waza Side Sacrifice Thows
Sotai Renshu Pairs Practice   Sode Sleeve
Yudansha Holder Of Black Belt Rank   Zarei Kneeling Bow
Yusei Gachi Win by Decision   Yudanshakai Organization of Black Belt
  Holders
Kani Scissors (crab claw)
 
     
     
 
Do Jime Illegally encircling with legs   Fusegi Escape From Hold Down
Gake or Kake Hook   Kime No Kata Forms of Decision
Hantei Decision! (ref's call)   Junbi Undo Warm-up Exercises
Ju Ni Dan 12th Degree Black Belt
  (awarded to Kano only)		   Shihan Honorary Title Used For
  Dr. Kano Only
Kaeshi Waza Counter Technique   Ryote Both Hands
Shiaijo Contest Area   Shimpan Referee
Kime Decision   Kohaku Shiai "Winner Stays Up" Shiai
Shisei Posture In General   Shintai Body Movement
Kiken Gachi Win By Withdrawal Of Opponent   Koshiki No Kata Forms of Antiquity
 
     
     
 

Performance Requirements

  
 
 

Techniques

Quantity Required
  Throws 32
  Throwing Combinations 20
  Throwing Defenses 14
  Counter Throwing 9
  Kumi Kata 13
  Grip Breaking 6
  Hold Downs 12
  Hold Down Escapes 16
  Chokes (12 & older) 13
  Miscellaneous 18
     
  Kata (Choose 1)  
  Nage No Kata First 3 Sets
  Katame No Kata First 2 Sets
  Renraku No Kata First 3 Sets