Master Rank Remaining Test Dates for 2026

¹ The candidate must meet the age and time-in-rank guidelines of their dojo by this date.

Master Rank (6-10^th Dan) Qualification Criteria:

A Master Rank candidate must meet the IUKF age and time-in-grade requirements. The candidate’s Sensei must complete an application in the Sensei Portal. If the candidate has no Sensei, the candidate should contact Al Wharton, the Oversight Committee Administrator.

On the date of application, the candidate must have been a member of an established IUKF dojo for at least one year.

If the candidate’s most recent promotion was not from the IUKF, they must upload an image of their most recent promotion certificate with their application.

Master Rank Promotion Process:

For promotion to the master Dan ranks of Rokudan, Nanadan, Hachidan, Kyudan, and Judan, candidates must demonstrate the eight kata and eight bunkai derived from kata. The bunkai do not need to come from each kata.

Through their kata and bunkai demonstrations, the candidate should showcase the maturity of their practice in terms of movement efficiency, structure, and their understanding of the combat principles embedded within Uechi-ryu Karate-do.

Refer to “Tips on Recording Your Video Demonstrations” at the end of this section.

Master Rank Promotion Criteria:

Kata:

At the Master level, the karateka is at a stage in their Uechi-Ryu journey where they move in fashion that is beyond just focusing on technique. At these levels, technique becomes your karate. It’s about individual expression within the system—showing personal timing, rhythm, and mature interpretation. There should be no wasted motion—everything is direct and economical. Power is internalized, not forced. Power comes from structure and timing, not muscle, flowing from the ground to the hips, to the core, and then to the movement. Movements appear simple but are very effective. Every technique is correct, repeatable, and deliberate. There should be no sloppiness—even in small details. Precision becomes second nature. Movements are integrated and flowing.

Bunkai:

At 6th–10th dan, bunkai is not just about “performing applications.” Instead, it involves demonstrating a deep understanding of combat principles embedded within kata. The bunkai should illustrate Uechi-ryu system’s strategy as an in-close fighting method. The candidate should be capable of deriving realistic, practical meanings from kata—beyond mere “textbook bunkai”—to show adaptable application. Through demonstrations, the karateka reveals which principle each kata movement embodies. Applications must still align with the kata’s movement and intent but should not be confined to literal or rigid interpretations.

Bunkai should highlight three core components and principles:

1) Position—maai (distance), tai sabaki (body movement), and centerline control.
2) Timing—sen (when to strike) and kuzushi (breaking balance).
3) Execution—targeting (injuring opponents), kime (focused power), and muchimi (rooting and connecting the body).

Master Rank Test Board Members:

The candidate’s videos will be reviewed by a test board consisting of those test board members who are at least one rank higher than the rank you are testing for.

George Mattson – Judan
Henry Thom – Judan
Al Wharton – Judan
Bruce Witherell – Judan
Darin Yee – Judan
Justin Testa – Kyudan
Bruce Hirabayashi – Kyudan
Lee Adams – Hachidan

Tips on Recording Your Video Demonstrations

• It is best to use a fixed stand for the recording device (camera, smartphone, or tablet).
• Record in “landscape” view, not portrait.
• Wear a gi and belt.
• Please provide an explanation for anything non-standard or for any hindrance or handicap the candidate may have.
• Ensure that you always remain within the field of view during your kata and bunkai demonstrations.
• State the kata you are demonstrating before you begin the kata.
• Perform your kata at an angle to the camera, off-center by about 10°–15°. Optionally, to enhance the demonstration of each kata, we recommend that the candidate record from two angles simultaneously (e.g., front and side, or front and back).
• When demonstrating bunkai, first demonstrate the movement(s) from which your bunkai comes, and explain the principle(s) of the movement being applied.
• Label each video with the name of the kata and number each bunkai video, Bunkai #1 – Bunkai #8.
• It is best to provide the IUKF with a link to the videos. Set up a cloud-based storage solution, such as a YouTube playlist, a Google Photos album, or another option. If this does not work for you, you can upload the videos via the upload area in the Sensei Portal section of the site.