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:
-
Enrolled for Ninjutsu study as a direct student at one of our American
Bujinkan Dojos.
-
Enrolled in our Ninjutsu BlackBelt Home Study Course Program as
a purchaser of the Entire Course
-
Enrolled as a Registered Buddy of someone who is enrolled in the
Home Study Course.
-
Enrolled or qualified as a registered student by having purchased
a current membership, Shodan training manual, Japanese pronunciation
tape, and at least the first 3 tapes of the Black Belt Course (9th,
8th and 7th Kyu)* Note: this is now known as the Ninjutsu Startup
Package. (We decided to allow testing for those who are committed
and could only afford a few tapes at a time. We appreciate your
continued dedication.)
-
You have been grandfathered in (meaning you have successfully tested
with the tapes before Jan 1, 1999).
You
must meet the above criteria to test with us. We are sure that you want
a standard that you also can be proud of. Contact us at abd@ninjutsu.com
if you still have questions.
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.
VIDEO
TESTING
We have carefully
designed a very workable feedback system. Does it work? YES, Our video
students who have started and trained with this course have even become
10th dans from Soke Hatsumi and many are now over 5th dan. It works
and you can do it too. When you submit a video for review we carefully
give you feedback by charting out to you the things that will help you
in your ninjutsu studies. Remember, the Shodan (1st degree Blackbelt)
test is only given in person. Don't be shy about sending in a video
- it gets to be fun! Let us help you.
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
FEES (as of 1/01/00 - fees may fluctuate with the yen):
-
$40 for each in person testing kyu level certificate,
-
$40 for each video testing kyu level certification,
-
$150 for 1st Dan certification,
-
$250 for 2nd Dan,
-
$350 for 3rd Dan,
-
$450 for 4th Dan.
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
FOR
INDIVIDUAL RANK TESTING REQUIREMENT LISTS (click here)
