Rank Requirements

Students will be eligible for promotion if they have been observing proper etiquette, including having attended at least 2/3 of the classes offered in the six weeks prior to the test, having been punctual, having observed the rule of texting or calling the teacher no later than 1 hour before class if they are unable to make the class, and being involved in dojo chores like cleaning and promotion.

The technique requirements are listed below:

5th kyu (gokyu):

• Happo giri (both sides)

• 8 suburi, jodan

• Kaeshi giri (basic)

4th kyu (yonkyu) in addition to all of the above:

• 8 suburi, chudan

• Kaeshi giri with three endings (suri age, yoko otoshi, maki otoshi)

• Wild coast kumitachi (basic)

• Sword drawing (basic)

3rd kyu (sankyu) in addition to all of the above:

• Wild Coast Kumitachi: 6 endings: 1(irimi kesa),2 (yama botsujizai), 3 (irimi tachi, 4(aiki otoshi), 5 (irimi zangeki), 6 (suri otoshi, nodo giri) all applied to both sides (first and second kesa)

• Wild Coast Kumitachi, 4 responses to tsuki: maki otoshi, tsuka ate, suri otoshi, nagashi kesa

• Wild Coast Kumitachi, 5 responses to shomen: suri age, yoko otoshi, maki otoshi, tsuka ate, nagashi kesa

• Kiriotoshi (basic, stop action) (jodan, chudan, gedan)

• Significant progress in the development of body awareness evident in stances, posture, relaxation and breathing.

• Essay on subject determined by teacher

2nd kyu (nikyu) in addition to all of the above:

• Kiriotoshi, (jodan, chudan, gedan) beginning at distance.

• Ki musubi no tachi. 3 basic variations

• Wild Coast Kumitachi with multiple attacker endings using 6 basic responses

• Three defense techniques beginning with sword in obi (simulating sheathed in saya) against shomen attack

• Wild Coast Kumitachi attacker's variations at beginning, defender's response

• Wild Coast Kumitachi, defender's response to attacker's variations at invitation (jodan or chudan shomen uchi)

• Significant progress in the development of body awareness evident in stances, posture, relaxation and breathing.

• Significant development of zanshin and suriashi.

• Essay on subject determined by teacher

After nikyu there is one more rank (1st kyu) before shodan. First kyu will focus more on responsiveness to attacks that are not pre-determined. The student should be able to be flexible enough to respond in several ways to any attack. The mind must be clear enough to be present and responsive n th moment. The body must be well-trained to execute good technique without thinking.

the six responses to kesa and shomen are listed above.

The responses to Kote giri (wrist cut) are: suri age, maki otoshi, soete maki otoshi, kiri otoshi, or the handle to hip defense followed by a thrust (tsuki).

The responses to a thrust to the chest or throat are: suri otoshi, tsuka ate, maki otoshi, soete maki otoshi, tachi uba u, nagashi kesa.

At this point each student should be developing a technique of their creation, according to their strength.