Iaijutsu Promotion Requirements—Hachikyū (8th Kyū)

Shinsa (Promotion Testing)

This page presents the requirements for promotion in Masaoka-Ha Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū iaijutsu to the rank of hachikyū (8th kyū).  Rank in iaijutsu 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 Waza (Standarised Techniques)
n Kumitachi (Choreographed Sparring Exercises)
n Shizan (Test Cutting)
n Gakka (Scholarship)

Shikaku (Eligibility Requirements)

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

  n A minimum of two (2) months additional training in Eishin-Ryū iaijutsu since promotion to kyūkyū
  n Participate in a minimum of twenty-five (25) one-hour iaijutsu training classes since promotion to kyūkyū
  n Own and wear an iaidō-gi (or approved substitute) that conforms to Seishin-Kan standards
  n Own and use a bokken (aka bokutō) or iaitō that conforms 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 (or approved keiko-gi) 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), tōrei (bow to the sword), and zarei (kneeling bow) with a bokken or iaitō.

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Kihon (Fundamentals)

Correctly perform the following fundamentals: 

  n Tsuka no Nigiri Kata (squeezing the handle) during kirioroshi
  n Waki Gamae (side posture) with the kissaki directed downward and to the rear
  n Onken (hidden-sword posture) with the katana hidden behind the body
  n Kasumi no Kamae ("haze" posture) with the katana
  n Gyaku-Hasso no Kamae (reverse 8-phase posture) with the katana over the left shoulder
  n Gedan no Kamae (low-level posture) with the katana
  n Kiritsuke ("sticking" cut) to shōmen and yokomen
  n Yoko Ichi-mon-ji Giri (lateral cut) to either side (aka dōbarai-giri)
  n Morotezuki (two-handed thrust) to either chūdan or jōdan
  n Katatezuki (one-handed thrust) to chūdan


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Waza (Technique)

Correctly perform the following waza:

  n Morote-zuki (Eishin-Ryū Shitei Kata)
  n Seiza Mae (Eishin-Ryū Shitei Kata)
  n Tsuigeki Tō (Eishin-Ryū Battō-hō)
  n Shatō (Eishin-Ryū Battō-hō)

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Kumitachi (Choreographed Sparring)

Correctly perform the following kumitachi:

  n Ayumi-Tsukekomi (Tachi-uchi no Kurai)
  n Ukenagashi (Tachi-uchi no Kurai)

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Gakka (Scholarship)

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

n Who was Masaoka Katsutane and what is his significance to our style of iaijutsu?
  n Who is the current Sōshihan of Masaoka-Ha Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū?
  n Why is our style called Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū?
  n What is the difference between "iaijutsu" and "iaidō"?
  n What is the difference between waza, shitei kata, and battō-hō?
  n What is the difference between the sayaguchi and the koiguchi?
  n Identify the major parts of the iaidō-gi in Japanese (hakama, uwagi, obi (kaku-obi), and tabi).

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Registration of Rank

NOTE:  all promotion tests in the art of iaijutsu 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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