Jōjutsu Promotion Requirements—Shodan-ho (Provisional 1st Dan)

Shinsa (Promotion Testing)

This page presents the requirements for promotion in Shindō Musō-Ryū jōjutsu to the rank of shodan-ho (provisional 1st dan).  In jōjutsu, the rank of shodan-ho serves one of two purposes:  (1) it serves as an initial dan-level rank for those adult students who have learned at least half of the omote curriculum of koryū jōjutsu, or (2) it serves as a dan-level rank for students under the age of 13 who otherwise qualify for rank of shodan or above.

Students are not required to seek the rank of shodan-ho, but may instead test for shodan after a minimum of six (6) months of training at the rank of ikkyū and having learned the entire omote curriculum.

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-ho, a candidate must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed below:

  n A minimum of twenty-one (21) months training in Shindō Musō-Ryū jōjutsu
  n Participate in a minimum of twenty-five (25) one-hour jōjutsu training classes since promotion to the rank of ikkyū
  n Own and wear an keikō-gi , bokken , and jō 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

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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 jō.

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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 two seitei katachi of the candidate's choosing
  n Any two seitei katachi of the examiner's choosing

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Waza (Choreographed Techniques)

Correctly perform the following omote waza:

  n Tachi Otoshi
  n Tsuba Wari
  n Tsuki Zue
  n Hissage
  n Sakan
  n Ukan

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Shindō-Ryū Kenjutsu (Swordsmanship Techniques)

Correctly perform the following Shindō-Ryū kenjutsu techniques:

n Any two waza of the candidate's choosing
n Any two 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 Hanzaburo and Harada Heizo, and what were their roles in the history of jōjutsu? 
n Plus other questions to be announced in 2019.

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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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