NOTICE
The outbreak of the COVID19 virus demanded great lifestyle changes for the people of the world. The Bujinkan was no exception, and I made the decision to suspend training at the Honbu Dojo.
Though the disease has not yet been fully eradicated, we have decided to reopen training at the Bujinkan Honbu Dojo from Monday January 9th, 2023, with the thought of a new lifestyle, ‘living with COVID’.
However, we should continue our efforts with infection control measures and other precautions.
And we should continue with “training to improve ourselves” and “consideration for others.”
December 2nd, 2022
Bujinkan Dojo Soke,
Hatsumi Masaaki
.
Bujinkan Ranking Update:
All Bujinkan certificates (kyu, dan, etc) must be ordered from Honbu.
The awarding of kyu ranks are at the discretion of individual shidoshi.
Shodan through yondan ranks are also to be awarded at the discretion of shidoshi but there should be a reasonable gap of at least one year between grades. Students may NOT skip ranks.
The godan test must only be given by authorized individuals (such as the Honbu Soke or Honbu Shihan) or those Daishihan who contact Honbu and request permission. This permission is granted on an individual basis and must be requested each time they want to test.
Upon passing the godan test, the person’s rank is recorded on a page in the Honbu record books. That same page is used to add each future promotion. This is why it is important to send a photocopy of one’s godan certificate with all contact with the office.
After godan, each applicant will need a written recommendation from their teacher (in addition to the godan certificate photocopy) for each rank. Individuals will be issued a personal tracking number which teachers must submit with future rank recommendations. Rank recommendation should be submitted by the teacher and not by the applicant. Again, these individuals may NOT skip ranks.
Applicants for judan will still need three letters of recommendation.
[Thank you to Niigata-San (Honbu admin), Mark Lithgow and Peter Crocoll for the info above. Photo by Mark Lithgow.]