Testing requirements - Kyu Ranks
NOTE: testing requirements are cumulative. Both training hours and time period requirements must be satisfied between each test.
I.E. - at least 60 hours of practice must be completed AND 4 months must pass after earning rokyu before a student may test for gokyu. Only one hour of practice can be documented per day, even if more time than that is spent practicing.
Rokyu (30 hours/3 months)
Tenkan
Shomenuchi ikkyo and iriminage
Munetsuki kotegaeshi
Katate dori shihonage
Yokomenuchi shihonage
Kokyu tanden ho
Gokyu (60 hours/4 months)
All previous techniques plus:
shomenuchi nikyo
Kata dori ikkyo and nikyo
Munetsuki kaitennage
Yonkyu (60 hours/4 months)
All previous techniques plus:
Shomenuchi sankyo and yonkyo
Yokomenuchi ikkyo, Kotegaeshi and iriminage
Ryote dori tenchinage and shihonage
Katate dori ryote mochi kokyu tanden ho
Sankyu (70 hours/4 months)
All previous techniques plus:
Ushiro ryokata dori ikkyo
Ushiro ryote dori shihonage
Ushiro kubi shime kotegaeshi
Ushiro waza kokyunage
Nikyu (80 hours/6 months)
All previous techniques plus:
Yokomenuchi nikyo, sankyo and yonkyo
Koshinage from shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, katate dori and munetsuki
Hanmi handachi Katate dori shihonage
Hanmi handachi Ryote dori shihonage
Suwariwaza shomenuchi ikkyo
Suwariwaza kata dori ikkyo
Suwariwaza yokomenuchi ikkyo
Ikkyu (90 hours/6 months)
All previous techniques plus:
Jiyu waza standing
Jiyu waza Hanmi handachi
Jiyu waza suwariwaza
Tanto dori munetsuki
Tanto dori Shomenuchi
Tanto dori Yokomenuchi
Testing requirements - Dan Ranks
Shodan (120 hours/12 months)
All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:
Kumi Tachi: first five basic kata.
Tanto dori: a different technique from each - shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, tsuki, two different techniques from ushiro
Tachi dori: a total of 5 different techniques - Attacks will be shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, and tsuki
Randori: three people attacking.
Nidan (400 hours/30 months)
All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:
Kumi tachi: first twelve basic kata.
Kumi jo: first six basic kata.
Randori: three people attacking with shinai.
Sandan (minimum 3 years of consistent training)
All basic techniques performed to demonstrate the student's understanding of the principles of kokyu tanden ho, and all previous requirements.
Yondan and beyond
These ranks are granted only by recommendation and at the discretion of Saotome Shihan or Ikeda Shihan.
