Black Belt System (Kyukyu~)
Training Period γγγγγγRank
Months 1β3 γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγKyukyu
Months 4β6 γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγHachikyu
Months 7β9 γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγNanakyu
Months 10β15γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγΒ Β Rokukyu
Months 16β21γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγGokyu
Months 22β27γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγYonkyu
Months 28β33γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγSankyu
Months 34β39γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγNikyu
Months 40β45γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγIkkyu
Months 46β51γγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγγShodan
Evaluation: free
Re-evaluation: $100
Black Belt System (Kyukyu~)
Training Period γγRank
Months 1β3 γγγγγγγγKyukyu
Months 4β6 γγγγγγγγHachikyu
Months 7β9 γγγγγγγγNanakyu
Months 10β15γγγγγγγ Rokukyu
Months 16β2γγγγγγγΒ Β Gokyu
Months 22β27γγγγγγγ Yonkyu
Months 28β33γγγγγγγ Sankyu
Months 34β39γγγγγγγ Nikyu
Months 40β45γγγγγγγ Ikkyu
Months 46β51γγγγγγγ Shodan
Evaluation: free
Re-evaluation: $100
Black Belt System (Kyukyu~)
Monthly Plan — cancel anytime
Joichi Hirao — Founder, Gatame Kosen Online
5th Dan Kodokan Judo. Training partner experience with the Canadian National Judo Team. Coaching experience at Club de Judo Shidokan and Club de Judo Gatamé. Gold medalist, European Open Lisbon 2014.
Prove your technique is correct — not just practice it.
Submit your groundwork on video and get detailed feedback from Gatame Kosen instructors. Pass evaluation and receive your official Gatame Kosen rank — recognized only through this system.
Training period → rank
| Months 1–3 | Kyukyu |
| Months 4–6 | Hachikyu |
| Months 7–9 | Nanakyu |
| Months 10–15 | Rokukyu |
| Months 16–21 | Gokyu |
| Months 22–27 | Yonkyu |
| Months 28–33 | Sankyu |
| Months 34–39 | Nikyu |
| Months 40–45 | Ikkyu |
| Months 46–51 | Shodan |
Why the Monthly Plan
- ✓Submit video evaluations and get detailed feedback — then earn your official Gatame Kosen rank.
- ✓A clear testing schedule you can plan around: every 3 months (Kyukyu–Nanakyu), then every 6 months (Rokukyu and above).
- ✓Save up to $1,090 by the time you reach Shodan, compared to the One-time Plan.
- ✓No $200 per-test evaluation fee — testing is included in your monthly plan.
- ✓Cancel your Monthly Plan anytime.
Earn your official Gatame Kosen Judo certification
Issued directly by Gatame Kosen Online upon passing your rank evaluation.
Monthly Plan vs. One-time Plan
| Monthly Plan | One-time Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 / month | $100+ per rank |
| Evaluation fee | Included | $200 each |
| Testing schedule | Every 3–6 months | Immediately after passing |
| Best for | Consistent, long-term progress | Faster, self-paced progress |
| Total to Shodan | Up to $1,090 less | — |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need anything else besides this plan?
Yes. An Annual Membership ($120/year) is required to apply for the Black Belt System.
How often can I test for my next rank?
Every 3 months from Kyukyu to Nanakyu, then every 6 months from Rokukyu onward.
Monthly Plan or One-time Plan — which is right for me?
Choose Monthly for consistent, long-term progress and to save up to $1,090 by Shodan. Choose One-time if you want to progress faster at your own pace.
I already have a rank in Judo or BJJ — is Kyukyu right for me?
If you already hold a rank in Judo or BJJ, we recommend starting from Sankyu instead.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. You can cancel your Monthly Plan anytime.
Is Gatame Kosen affiliated with IJF or Kodokan?
No. Gatame Kosen Online is an independent platform and issues its own Gatame Kosen certification.
