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 look forward to helping you to
become the best martial artist that you can be!
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. Testing for rank gives you the necessary feedback to let
you know how you are doing on your path. Your Instructor shall help
you through this process. If for some reason there is no Bujinkan
instructor near you we invite you to study our Ninjutsu Home Study
Program to get started in the art so you can build a relationship
with a certified IBDA instructor that is nearest to you. Perhaps over
time you will become the instructor in your area.
Please note that whether
the student studies in an actual physical dojo with us or they study
only from the Ninjutsu BlackBelt Home Study Course, all testing is
done with the same high standards. Our students that live far away
from a dojo or just want to learn on their own receive the same quality
of instruction as in a dojo. 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 ours. We
want our students to be well educated and to be proud of the ranks
that they earn. What good is having a rank that you cannot represent
with pride and recognition of accomplishment?
All Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu
Kyu and Dan rank certifications awarded by IBDA are issued by the
Hombu Dojo in Japan sealed by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi and are also signed
by Shihan Richard Van Donk. You can be assured that your rank certification
will be recognized worldwide. Please beware of wannabe’s and
so-called secret Ninja Clans whose instructor was taught privately
by an old Japanese neighbor that died. It might be that their claim
is true - but it also might not be and how would you verify it? That’s
why we just recommend that you choose a credible instructor that is
recognized by everyone as valid. Both Grandmaster Hatsumi and Master
Richard Van Donk are recognized members of the prestigious World Head
of Family Sokeship Council.
WHO
CAN TEST with IBDA
ALL
Students who wish to TEST for rank with us must first have
their IBDA membership dues current and be enrolled for Ninjutsu study
as a direct student of one of our IBDA certified Dojos or registered
as a Bushindo University Ninjutsu Home Study Course student.
See
www.Ninjutsu.com
Or www.BudoTaijutsu.com
for list of certified instructors.
There
are No Exceptions
We do not and will not rank students that train with
other Bujinkan instructors. We understand that some unscrupulous Bujinkan
teachers will do this. All rank should be done between you and your
instructor – they are the one guiding you on the martial arts
path. It is wrong for another instructor to put you in this situation.
Realize that if you take that rank you have now become their student.
So think carefully before taking a temporary rank grade. We appreciate
your dedication and are sure that you want a standard so that you can
obtain rank that you can be proud of.
RANK
TESTING METHODS
This can be done in person at an IBDA dojo, at IBDA seminars
or IBDA Tai Kais or during private sessions with Shihan Richard Van
Donk or another certified IBDA
instructor.
We encourage
you to set a goal of first degree BlackBelt. We look forward to that
day when we present you with your BlackBelt in our Art. You will know
that you have earned your BlackBelt and you will be able to wear your
belt proudly anywhere! We will do what we can to help you get there,
and you’ll find that other life goals will also fall into place
along the way as you grow. This manual is written with the intent to
help you get there.
BUDDY
TESTING
If you are testing with a buddy then do your rank testing
at the same time. Stay on track together. Each person testing for rank
must submit a separate rank testing certification fee as certificates
are issued for each person. Your IBDA membership dues must be current.
Testing Process
Your IBDA
membership dues must be current.
How
long between kyu level rank testings?
There is usually a three month training period required
between tests to provide for the internalization of the Taijutsu (whole
body motion). We would like to see you test regularly. You will be told
by the instructor testing you when your next test date is. If for some
reason this is not stated then it is always about 3 months. If you are
doing really well or have not been testing regularly then the instructor
may tell you to test again as soon as you are ready. This is rare but
it does happen for those that pay attention to all the small details
in their training and train more regularly.
Provide
your testing instructor your kyu level reports
Please review the kyu requirements list carefully to
see if a report is required. Prepare this report before your testing
time. If this needs to come to the IBDA hombu you can send this by e-mail
ahead of time, or handwrite it or print it and include it when testing.
We will not process the test results until this report is received.
Remember,
practice does not make perfect - Only perfect practice makes perfect!
For
more information about TESTING PROCESS AND GUIDELINES please check your
Shodan Manual.
FOR
INDIVIDUAL RANK TESTING REQUIREMENT LISTS (click here)
RANK
CERTIFICATES
All Bujiinkan Ninjutsu (aka Budo Taijutsu) ranking certificates come
from Soke Masaaki Hatsumi in Noda, Japan and are issued and certified
by Shihan Richard Van Donk.
CURRENT
CERTIFICATION FEES (as of 9/01/2011 - fees may fluctuate with the yen):
-
$50 for each in person testing kyu level certificate,
-
$50 for each DVD/Web testing kyu level certification,
-
$195 for 1st Dan certification,
-
$275 for 2nd Dan,
-
Call for 3rd Dan and above.
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 International Bujinkan Dojo Association headquarters
at Bushindo University 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 rank testing your annual IBDA
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.
______ DVD/Web test for _________ Kyu level- written feedback $50
______ Please schedule me for In-Person _____ Dan Testing
______
Please schedule me for In-Person Kyu Testing $50
Enclosed is fee of $________
____
My Membership is Current
____ My Membership fee is enclosed ($40US)
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
FOR
INDIVIDUAL RANK TESTING REQUIREMENT LISTS (click here)
