Grades/Ranking

KUKISHIN RYU NINPO TAIJUTSU METHOD OF RANKING

–KYU OR FUNDAMENTAL LEVELS–

Advancement is dependent on the individual’s character and proficiency of skills.  Children take longer than adults to progress through the levels.  For example: a child who is training from 2 ½ years of age may be eligible for the rank of  black belt apprentice by the age of 10 to 12, while an adult may take 4 years.  Realistically, goals must be set based on the abilities of each individual.

We follow our system of grading via three categories and standard kyu/dan system.  Each of the weapon systems follow a similar fashion of Shokyu, Chukyu and Jokyu.

Mudansha (Shonin, Chunin and Jonin volumes – all kyu levels must be completed before black belt.

SHONIN NINJA

Ju Rohkkyu/16th level——————————Solid white belt/first 12 weeks of Ninpo

Ju Gohkyu/15th level————————-White belt/yellow stripe/12 weeks of Ninpo

Ju Yonkyu/14th level————————-White belt/orange stripe/12 weeks of Ninpo

Ju Sankyu/13th level—————————White belt/black stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

Ju Nikyu/12th level—————————Yellow belt/white stripe/12 weeks of Ninpo

Ju Ichikyu/11th level————————–Yellow belt/black stripe/12 weeks of Ninpo

Mukyu/10th level—————————-Orange belt/white stripe/12 weeks of Ninpo

Kyukyu/9th level——————————Orange belt/black stripe/12 weeks of Ninpo

CHUNIN NINJA

Hachikyu/8th level—————————-Green belt/white stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

Nanakyu/7th level—————————-Green belt/white stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

Rohkkyu/6th level——————————-Blue belt/white stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

Gohkyu/5th level——————————–Blue belt/black stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

JONIN NINJA

Yonkyu/4th level—————————–Purple belt/white stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

Sankyu/3rd level——————————Purple belt/black stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

Nikyu/2nd level———————————–Red belt/black stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

Ikkyu/1st level———————————Brown belt/black stripe/15 weeks of Ninpo

PHASING*———————————-Black belt/white striped/20 weeks phasing of Ninpo

*Phasing is transition period to research Mudansha once all requirements are completed and prepare for the black belt apprentice test.

 

“THERE IS NO FIRST ATTACK; THE ULTIMATE AIM OF MARTIAL ARTS LIES NOT IN VICTORY OR DEFEAT BUT IN THE PERFECTION OF THE SELF.”

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–DAN OR MASTER LEVELS– 

YUUDANSHA

            Shodan (Sempai/senior student/apprentice-eligible)

Black Belt 1st degree is achieved after 1 year training in black belt patterns.

            Nidan  (Assistant Sensei-eligible)

Black Belt 2nd degree after 1 ½ to 2 years of achieving Shodan.

            Sandan (Sensei-eligible) master of weapons

Black Belt 3rd degree after an additional 1 ½ to 2 years after achieving Nidan.

            Yondan (Renshi-eligible)

Black Belt 4th degree (master apprentice); after an additional 1 ½ to 2 years

after Sandan.

KOUDANSHA

Godan (Kyoshi-eligible)

Black Belt 5th degree (mastership-eligible); an additional 2 years after Yondan.

Rohkudan (Kyoshi-eligible)

Black Belt 6th degree (full master); after an additional 1 to 2 years after Godan.

Nanadan (Shihan-eligible)

Black Belt 7th degree (Doctor apprentice/master-teacher); after 2 years of Rohkudan.

Hachidan (Shihan-eligible)

Black Belt 8th degree (Doctor/master –teacher/co-creator); after 30 years of service.

Kudan (Hanshi-eligible)

Black Belt 9th degree (Lead Master –Teacher/next in line as grandmaster/head of system)

Judan (Shihan Cho/Saiko Hanshi/grandmaster-eligible)

Black Belt 10th degree (an honorary degree bestowed as the inheritor of the tradition)

Soshi/Soke/O’Sensei

No degrees are awarded, for it is reserved only for one grandmaster upon the death of

another, for a life time of work.

 Kancho (usually reserved for the Soke)

President/Head of the family or tradition; overseer in charge of preserving the tradition.

All ranking is a measure of the person’s character, skills and a life-time of devotion to our tradition.