Kenshinkan Dojo

Promotion Requirements

      The Kenshinkan Dojo is directly associated with the International Battodo Federation; as such, promotions are recognized in Japan. The Kenshinkan Dojo is authorized to promote up to sandan (third degree black belt), but may only issue certification for ranks below shodan (first degree black belt). Students promoted to shodan and above shall have certification issued from Japan.

      Promotions are based on successfully passing a testing examination which is designed to display the student's technical and scholastic proficiencies in Toyama Ryu iaido, Nakamura Ryu battodo, and other stated learning objectives.

  • Toyama Ryu Iaido is composed of eight solo forms called "kata," and is the foundation of Nakamura Ryu Battodo.
  • Nakamura Ryu Battodo comprises Toyama Ryu kata, six standardized forms (seitei touho), eight Nakamura Ryu kata, and six paired forms (kumitachi).
      Promotions for sankyu and above will include test-cutting (tameshigiri) to judge the student's understanding of grip, distance, timing, and blade trajectory.

      Certificates indicate a rank in Battodo; as such, both Toyama Ryu iaido and Nakamura Ryu battodo are named as subjects of instruction. Special certificates of proficiency (densho) in Nakamura Ryu battodo are issued solely by the soke (head of family).

Promotion Requirements

6th kyu.
  1. Nakamura Ryu waza: Happo no kamae; happogiri; hasshu no noto. The eight fighting stances; eight-directional cuts; and eight methods of resheathing the sword.
  2. Toyama Ryu kata: Ippon me, nihon me, sanbon me. Forms one, two, and three.
  3. Knowledge: Name the Army style of iaido (Toyama Ryu); where and when was the style founded; who reestablished the style following the Second World War.
5th kyu.
  1. Toyama Ryu kata: Yonhon me, gohon me, roppon me. Forms four, five, and six.
  2. Knowledge: 1) What is the dojo name and what does the name mean; 2) sword nomenclature: (a) tsuka (b) tsuba (c) to-shin (d) saya.
4th kyu.
  1. Toyama Ryu kata: Nanahon me, happon me. Forms seven and eight.
  2. Seitei touho: Ippon me, nihon me. Forms one and two.
  3. Knowledge: 1) Describe and explain tenouchi, kesagiri, and chiburi; 2) sword nomenclature: (a) fuchi (b) kashira (c) seppa (d) habaki (e) koiguchi.
3rd kyu.
  1. Toyama Ryu kata: Any two (1~8).
  2. Seitei touho: Sanbon me, yonhon me. Forms three and four.
  3. Nakamura Ryu kata: Ippon me, nihon me. Forms one and two.
  4. Knowledge: 1) Describe and explain the following: (a) when was Nakamura Ryu founded, (b) who is the founder of Nakamura Ryu, (c) hassuji, (d) enkei sen (also called tou-sen en), (e) maai; 2) sword nomenclature: (a) sageo (b) kurigata (c) kojiri (d) ha.
  5. Tameshigiri: Hidari kesagiri. Left downward diagonal cut.
2nd kyu.
  1. Toyama Ryu kata: Any two (1~8).
  2. Seitei touho: Gohon me, roppon me. Forms five and six.
  3. Nakamura Ryu kata: Sanbon me, yonhon me. Forms three and four.
  4. Kumitachi: Ippon me, nihon me, sanbon me. Forms one, two, and three.
  5. Knowledge: 1) Describe and explain the following: (a) the three fundamental components of Nakamura Ryu (b) who is the current soke of Nakamura Ryu (c) from which style is Nakamura Ryu based; 2) sword nomenclature (a) menuki (b) mekugi (c) mune/mine (d) shinogi (e) hamon.
  6. Tameshigiri: Migi kesagiri. Right downward diagonal cut.
1st kyu.
  1. Toyama Ryu kata: Any two (1~8).
  2. Seitei touho: Any two (1~6).
  3. Nakamura Ryu kata: Gohon me, roppon me. Forms five and six.
  4. Kumitachi: Yonhon me, gohon me, roppon me. Forms four, five, and six.
  5. Knowledge: 1) Describe and explain (a) the origin of happogiri (b) the importance of tameshigiri (c) "Hyaku Ren Ji Toku."
  6. Tameshigiri: Sa-yu kesagiri. Left and right downward diagonal cut.
Shodan.
  1. Toyama Ryu kata: Any four.
  2. Seitei touho: Any three.
  3. Nakamura Ryu kata: Any four. (Note: similar/same kata will not be used twice.)
  4. Kumitachi: Two, to be announced prior to examination. Be prepared to demonstrate both uchitachi and shitachi waza.
  5. Knowledge: Describe and explain (a) zanshin (b) "Iai Kendo Tameshigiri; San Sha Ittai."
  6. Tameshigiri: Yondan giri (sa-yu kesagiri, sa-yu kesagiri).
  7. Time in grade: A minimum of 11/2 years consistant training.
Nidan.
  1. Toyama Ryu kata: Any two.
  2. Seitei touho: Any two.
  3. Nakamura Ryu kata: Any two.
  4. Kumitachi: Two, to be announced.
  5. Knowledge: Describe and explain (a) Katsujin Ken, (b) Satsujin Ken, and (c) Heijoshin.
  6. Tameshigiri: Sa-yu kesagiri, sa-yu gyaku kesagiri (upward diagonal cut).
  7. Time in grade: One year as shodan.
Sandan.
  1. Toyama Ryu kata: Any two.
  2. Seitei touho: Any two.
  3. Nakamura Ryu kata: Any two.
  4. Kumitachi: Two, to be determined.
  5. Knowledge: "Shu Ha Ri."
  6. Tameshigiri: Sa-yu kesagiri, sa-yu gyaku kesagiri, sa-yu mayoko giri (horizontal cut).
  7. Time in grade: Two years as nidan.
Yondan and above.
  1. Requirements: Only by testing in Japan.
  2. Time in grade: Two years as sandan.

 

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