Iaijutsu Promotion Requirements—Kyūkyū (9th Kyū)

Shinsa (Promotion Testing)

This page presents the requirements for promotion in Masaoka-Ha Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryū iaijutsu to the rank of kyūkyū (9th 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 kyūkyū, a candidate must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed below:

  n A minimum of three (3) months training in Eishin-Ryū iaijutsu
  n Participate in a minimum of twenty-five (25) one-hour iaijutsu training classes
  n Own and wear an iaidō-gi (or approved substitute) that conforms to Seishin-Kan standards
  n Own and use a bokken (aka bokutō) 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 acceptable 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), and tōrei (bow to the sword) with a bokken or iaitō.

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Kihon (Fundamentals)

Correctly perform the following fundamentals: 

  n Tsuka o Mochi (normal grip) of the katana
  n Seigan no Kamae ("seigan" posture) with the katana directed at the eyes of aite
  n Chūdan no Kamae (middle-level posture) with the katana directed at the suigetsu of aite
  n Jōdan no Kamae (overhead posture) with the katana raised overhead
  n Hassō no Kamae ("8-phases"  posture) with the katana held above the right shoulder
  n Gedan no Kamae (low-level posture) with the katana pointing downward
n Nukitsuke (drawing cut)
  n Furikaburi (raising the katana overhead)
  n Kirioroshi (downward cut)
  n Kiri-ageru (rising [diagonal] cut) from the right hip to left shoulder of aite
  n Kesagiri (diagonal "kesa" cut) from the left shoulder to right hip of aite
  n O-chiburi (large chiburi) swinging the katana in an overhead arc
  n Yoko Chiburi (sideways chiburi) snapping the katana sideways
  n Nōtō (resheathing the katana)


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Waza (Techniques)

Correctly perform the following waza:

  n Zenteki-tō (Eishin-Ryū Seitei Kata)
  n Kesa-giri (Eishin-Ryū Seitei Kata)
  n Juntō Sono Ichi (Eishin-Ryū Battō-hō)
  n Juntō Sono Ni (Eishin-Ryū Battō-hō)

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Kumitachi (Choreographed Sparring)

Correctly perform the following kumitachi:

  n Ayumi-Deai (Tachi-uchi no Kurai)

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Gakka (Scholarship)

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

n What is the full name of our style of iaijutsu?
  n Who was the founder/creator of iaijutsu?
  n What is the origin of "Eishin" in Eishin-Ryū?
  n What is the meaning of "iai"?
  n Why are iaijutsu and kenjutsu considered "companion arts"?
  n Identify the major parts of the katana in Japanese (tsuka, tsuka-gashira, tsuba, ha (shiraha), mine, kissaki, saya, sayaguchi, kojiri, and sageo).

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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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