Examinations

Knowing what you already know

Exams are currently held every three to four months virtually by our Honbu Dojo, head dojo, and taken by Sensai Simon Shidoin. In our keikokai, Shibucho or Bashocho will hold “mock” or rehearsal examinations to ensure one is ready for the exam before submitting the student’s name for the final exam.

There are 5 examinations you can take online:

• 3rd Kyu
• 2nd Kyu
• 1st Kyu
• 1st Dan
• 2nd Dan

The requirements for each exam are found below:

Sankyu – 3rd Kyu

1 zagi 座技 from the first two katas of the Go-Yo set 五用
2 tachiwaza 立ち技 from the first two katas of the Go-Ou set 五応
Knowledge of Ryoguruma and Ren

Nikyu – 2nd Kyu

2 zagi 座技 of the Go-Yo set 五用
2 tachiwaza 立ち技 of the Go-Ou set 五応
Knowledge of No-Okuri and Yuu

Ikkyu – 1st Kyu

2 zagi 座技 of the Go-Yo set 五用
3 tachiwaza 立ち技 of the Go-Ou set 五応
Knowledge of Musougaeshi and Youchuin

Shodan – 1st Dan

2 zagi 座技 (one of them Suigetsu 水月)
3 tachiwaza 立ち技 from the Go-Ou set 五応 (one of them Ryouguruma 両車)
Tameshigiri 試し切り: Kesa giri left and right (hidari to migi) 袈裟切り左と右
Recite Kaiin kokoroe (Japanese or own language)
Name different parts of the Katana (chosen by the examiner)
Knowledge of Miginoteki and Hibiki Gaeshi

Nidan – 2nd Dan

2 zagi 座技 (one of them Yochuin 陽中陰)
3 tachiwaza 立ち技 (one of them Musougaeshi 夢想返し)
Tameshigiri 試し切り: Gyaku kesa giri left and right (hidari to migi) 逆袈裟切り左と右
Recite Kaiin kokoroe (Japanese or own language)
Name different parts of the Katana (chosen by the examiner)
Knowledge of Miginoteki and Hazumi

Sandan – 3rd Dan

2 zagi 座技 (one of them Hazumi 破図味)
3 tachiwaza 立ち技
5 Kumitachi Kata
Tameshigiri 試し切り: Yokoichimonji 横一文字
Recite Kaiin kokoroe (Japanese)
Name different parts of the Katana (chosen by the examiner)
Knowledge of Shihou and Hazumi 

Yondan – 4th Dan

2 zagi 座技 (chosen by examiner)
3 tachiwaza 立ち技 (chosen by examiner)
10 kenjutsu and kumitachi kata (chosen by examiner)
Tameshigiri 試し切り: Gyaku kesa giri from the saya
Recite Kaiin kokoroe (Japanese)
Recite Dojokun
Recite Rinen
Know Hyakusokuden
Name different parts of the Katana (chosen by the examiner)
After passing yondan, it’s allowed to give kyu exams up to ikkyu

Godan – 5th Dan

2 zagi 座技 (chosen by the examiner)
3 tachiwaza 立ち技 (chosen by the examiner)
15 kenjutsu and kumitachi kata (chosen by the examiner)
Tameshigiri 試し切り: Yokoichimonji from the saya
Recite Kaiin kokoroe (Japanese)
Recite Dojokun
Recite Rinen
Know Hyakusokuden
Name different parts of the Katana (chosen by the examiner)

After passing godan it is possible to be elevated to shidoin and to receive a Go (budo-name) and oku-irisho. With oku-iri the ura, naiden and okuden are taught. Being granted shidoin it is allowed to wear montsuki and haori.