Black Belt Home Study Course

ABC's of TESTING FOR RANK

Obtaining a recognized certified rank in the martial arts of any level is a rewarding and exciting achievement. We at the American Bujinkan Dojo and Bushindo Martial Arts University look forward to helping you to become the best martial artist that you can be. Rank testing gives you the necessary feedback to let you know where you are on the path. We have put a lot of hard work and extra effort into assuring that you get a strong curriculum loaded with valuable information in a step by step progressive learning process.

Please note that although we are pioneers in providing such things as a Ninjutsu Home Study Program for our students that live far away from a dojo (or just want to learn on their own or add to their existing dojo training), whether the student studies in the actual physical dojo with us or studies only from the videos, all testing is done with the same high standards. Please understand that this standard is not always met by other Ninjutsu or Bujinkan instructors whose requirements for the same ranking level may be less than or different from ours. We want our students first to be well educated and secondly to be proud of the ranks that they earn. Why have a rank that you cannot represent with pride and recognition of accomplishment? ALL ninjutsu ranking given by us at the American Bujinkan Dojo and Bushindo Martial Arts University comes directly certified from Grandmaster Hatsumi in Japan and is signed by Master Van Donk as well. This means your ranking will be recognized worldwide.

Please beware of wannabes and so called secret Ninja Clans who tell you that the instructor was taught privately by an old Japanese neighbor that died giving them all the secrets. This is not to say that none of these claims are true - just choose well - preferably a credible instructor that is recognized by everyone as valid. And you can't go wrong with Grandmaster Hatsumi and Master Van Donk who are recognized members of the prestigious World Head Of Family Sokeship Council.

Simply put, ALL Students who wish to TEST for rank with us must first have ABD membership dues current and either be:

For those members on the Buddy system: though you may test on the same video together the testing fees will need to be submitted individually by each person testing. We are unable to extend a discount as we pay qualified instructors to review each person individually on your submitted ranking review tape. They prepare a written feedback sheet instructing you on how well you did and what exactly you need to improve on to get the best progress in your training. The majority of the testing fee actually goes to the International Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Japan for your rank certificate sealed by Soke Hatsumi.

RANK TESTING
You will be required to know the information in the Shodan Student Guidebook and on the Home Study Course to achieve rank. You will earn your belts and feel proud to wear them. A student's inner spirit, attitude, and achievements in life are graded as well as their taijutsu (body movement) ability. You can test in person at our dojo (prearranged), at seminars done by Shihan Van Donk or by Shidoshi Ken Balanon (you can sponsor one), at one of our Certified Branch Dojos, at one of our semi-annual camps (great way to do a BlackBelt test) or by sending us a video (video tests only up to 1st kyu). We send the requirement sheets to you and they are also in your Shodan manual and available on the website). It is recommended that you have some personal training with us when you reach 4th kyu level and 1st kyu level but it is not required if you are doing well. The Shodan (1st degree BlackBelt) test is only given in person.

CURRENT FEES (as of 1/01/00 - fees may fluctuate with the yen):

To be properly ranked in this art you are required to obtain ranking certificates beginning with 9th kyu. If you do not have a certificate you do not hold that rank. It is your responsibility to submit the application form at the bottom to the American Bujinkan Dojo headquarters when you wish to be tested and to attach the proper testing fee. In the event that you do not pass, the fee will be returned at your request or we will hold it until you are ready to try again. To be eligible to apply for testing your annual American Bujinkan Dojo membership dues must be current.

Good Luck, and as Soke Hatsumi says, "Keepa Going" !

To print just the form below after you hit PRINT go to 'page range' and choose page 3 only

Complete and return this form with correct test fee

YES! I wish to be tested for my next rank.

______ Video test for _________ Kyu level- written feedback $40

______ Please schedule me for In-Person _____ Dan Testing

______ Please schedule me for In-Person Kyu Testing $40

Enclosed is fee of $________

____ My Membership is Current
____ My Membership fee is enclosed ($30US/$35 foreign)

The latest International Bujinkan Dojo ranking certificate I currently hold is

_______________ received from__________________________________

on ______________ date.

I now wish to test for _____________ (circle one) Kyu / Dan

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Name     ___________________________________

Address ____________________________________

City __________________________________ State ____________

Zip ___________        

E-mail address to send my results: ______________________________

Telephone # ________________________ Date : ______/______/_______

Mail to Bushindo, P.O. Box 1489, Middletown, CA 95461