Jōjutsu Promotion Requirements—Shodan (1st Dan)

Shinsa (Promotion Testing)

This page presents the requirements for promotion in Shindō Musō-Ryū jōjutsu to the rank of shodan (1st dan). 

Rank in jōjutsu is not identified by belts or other visible insignia, but only by the issuance of menjō (diplomas).

n Shikaku (Eligibility Requirements)
n Sahō to Reihō (Preparation & Etiquette)
n Kihon (Fundamentals)
n Katachi (Standardised Practice Patterns)
n Waza (Choreographed Techniques)
n Shindō-Ryū Kenjutsu (Swordsmanship Techniques)
n Gakka (Scholarship)

Shikaku (Eligibility Requirements)

To be eligible to test for shodan, a candidate must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed below:

  n A minimum of twenty-four (24) months training in Shindō Musō-Ryū jōjutsu
  n Participate in a minimum of fifty (50) one-hour jōjutsu training classes since promotion to the rank of ikkyū or twenty-five (25) one-hour training classes since promotion to shodan-ho.
  n Be a minimum of 13 years of age**
  n Own and wear a complete keikō-gi (hakama, kaku-obi, iai-uwagi, and tabi) that conforms to Seishin-Kan standards
  n Own and use a bokken and that conform to Seishin-Kan standards
  n Consistently exhibit appropriate attitude and behaviour in the dōjō
  n Submit a written request for promotion testing on the prescribed form


**NOTE: Students below the age of 13 who meet all other requirements may be promoted to the rank of shodan-ho ("provisional shodan") until such time as they meet the minimum age requirements for shodan or above.  Thereafter, they must meet the minimum age requirements for each subsequent rank sought.

The reason for these minimum age requirements is that ranking in jōjutsu involves more than just competency in the physical skills of defence with a short staff.  There is also the expectation of mental, emotional, and spiritual maturity, as well as life experience, appropriate for each dan rank.  A person holding the rank of shodan, for example, has developed suffcient physical skills to kill another human being in battle.  It is therefore vital that the holder of such a rank also possess the mental, emotional, and spiritual maturity to decide when taking a human life is justified, as well as to cope with the psychological trauma and other consequences of doing so.  A student younger than age 13 who lacks the patience to wait until age 13 to receive the full rank of shodan is ipso facto not mature enough to be awarded that rank.


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Sahō to Reihō (Preparation & Etiquette)

Sahō (Preparation):   Correctly wear hakama and keep it clean and neat, correctly tie obi (belt), consistently arrive in time to assist with class set-up and remain afterward to assist with sōji (clean up).

Reihō (Etiquette):   Consistently perform correct etiquette upon entering and leaving the dōjō,  greeting sensei and sempai and fellow participants, correctly perform hairei (venerating bow), tachi-rei (standing bow), and zarei (kneeling bow) with a bokken and.

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Kihon (Fundamentals)

Demonstrate the ability to correctly instruct kōhai in the following fundamentals: 

  n All kihon previously required, demonstrating improved performance


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Seitei Katachi (Standardized Practice Patterns)

Correctly perform the following seitei katachi:

  n Any three seitei katachi of the examiner's choosing

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Waza (Choreographed Techniques)

Correctly perform the following omote waza:

  n Kasumi
  n Monomi
  n Kasa no Shita
  n Ichi Rei
  n Neya no Uchi
  n Hoso Uchi

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Shindō-Ryū Kenjutsu (Swordsmanship Techniques)

Correctly perform the following Shindō-Ryū kenjutsu techniques:

n Any three waza of the examiner's choosing

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Gakka (Scholarship)

Be prepared to answer any or all of the following questions:

n Explain the meaning of "omote" in the Omote Waza.
  n Who were Yokota Hanzaburō and Harada Heizō, and what were their roles in the history of jōjutsu
n Plus other questions to be announced ...

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Registration of Rank

NOTE:  all promotion tests in the art of jōjutsu are conducted under the auspices of the Nippon Budō Seishin-Kan at one of its member dōjō or kenkyūkai.  The rankings awarded as a result of these tests are valid only among member dōjō of the Seishin-Kan, and should not be assumed to be transferable to any other dōjō or governing organisation.

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Questions?

QuestionMark

If you are preparing to test and you are not sure you know or meet all the requirements described on this page, please be sure to ask your sempai or sensei during a class session.

Promotion Requirements

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