Ranking and Testing with IBDA
Your Road to Black Belt and BeyondINTERNATIONAL BUJINKAN DOJO ASSOCIATION
Official Ranking Roster
The official ranks listed indicate student ranking that is certified by the International Bujinkan Dojo Association™/American Bujinkan Dojo™, granted by Doshi Richard Van Donk and issued by the International Bujinkan Dojo Association in Japan.
Many students have gone out on on their own with the support and encouragement of Doshi Richard Van Donk and have established other relationships to obtain higher certification in Budo Taijutsu / Ninpo Taijutsu. While we most likely recognize their new rank we will only list here on this page the level of certification that they have received from us at IBDA™. We at IBDA™ have a very solid study study curriculum, many others do not.
The ranks we have certified were earned to our tough standards and shall be recognized worldwide not only in the Bujinkan but by the world’s leading Soke and Grandmastership Councils. Be the best you can be in life.
IBDA RANKING CLARIFICATION VIDEO BY DOSHI RICHARD VAN DONK
ABC’s of TESTING FOR RANK
Obtaining a recognized certified rank in the martial arts (of any level) is a rewarding and exciting achievement. We look forward to
helping you to become the best martial artist that you can be! We have put a lot of hard work and extra effort into assuring that you get a strong curriculum loaded with valuable information in a step by step progressive learning process. Testing for rank gives you the necessary feedback to let you know how you are doing on your path.
Your Instructor shall help you through this process. If for some reason there is no Bujinkan instructor near you we invite you to
study our Ninjutsu Home Study Program to get started in the art so you can build a relationship with a certified IBDA instructor that is nearest to you. Perhaps over time you will become the instructor in your area.Please note that whether the student studies in an actual physical dojo with us or they study only from the Ninjutsu BlackBelt Home Study Course, all testing is done with the same high standards. Our students that live far
away from a dojo or just want to learn on their own receive the same quality of instruction as in a dojo.
Please understand that this standard is not always met by other Ninjutsu or Bujinkan instructors whose requirements for the same ranking level may be less than ours. We want our students to be well educated and to be proud of the ranks that they earn.
What good is having a rank that you cannot represent with pride and recognition of accomplishment?
All IBDA Bujinkan Ninpo Taijutsu and Budo Taijutsu Kyu and Dan rank certifications are awarded and issued by IBDA and are stamped and handsigned by Doshi Richard Van Donk. You can be assured that your rank certification will be recognized worldwide. Please beware of wannabe’s and so-called secret Ninja Clans whose instructor was taught privately by an old Japanese neighbor that died. It might be that their claim is true – but it also might not be and how would you verify it? That’s why we just recommend that you choose a credible instructor that is recognized by everyone as valid. Both Grandmaster Hatsumi and Master Richard Van Donk are recognized members of the prestigious World Head of Family Sokeship Council.
WHO CAN TEST with IBDA
ALL Students who wish to TEST for rank with us must first have their IBDA membership dues current and be enrolled for Ninjutsu study as a direct student of one of our IBDA certified Dojos or registered as a Bushindo University Ninjutsu Home Study Course student.
See www.Ninjutsu.com Or www.BudoTaijutsu.com for list of certified instructors.
All IBDA Bujinkan Ninjutsu (aka NinpoTaijutsu-Budo Taijutsu) ranking certificates are issued by IBDA in Ninpo Taijutsu (as they were in the old days) and certified/signed by Doshi Richard Van Donk, IBDA HeadMaster (Bujinkan Jugodan Dai Shihan).
Our IBDA curriculum, ranking and testing is different than other Bujinkan dojos around the world. We study the Takamatsu-Den arts from the aspect of the Warrior-Monk and feel that the more ancient knowledge should never be lost and it is perhaps more important to learn than just more techniques. We offer all of that knowledge also
There are No Exceptions
We do not and will not rank students that train with other Bujinkan instructors – or Tae Kwon Do or Karate, etc. We ONLY rank IBDA students. All rank should be done between you and your instructor – they are the one guiding you on the martial arts path. It is wrong for another instructor to put you in this situation. Realize that if you take that rank you have now become their student. So think carefully before taking a temporary rank grade. We appreciate your dedication and are sure that you want a standard so that you can obtain rank that you can be proud of.
RANK TESTING METHODS
This can be done in person at an IBDA dojo, at IBDA seminars or IBDA Tai Kais or during private sessions with Doshi Richard Van Donk or another certified IBDA instructor. Skype KYU level testing sessions can be granted on a special basis.
We encourage you to set a goal of first degree BlackBelt. We look forward to that day when we present you with your BlackBelt in our Art. You will know that you have earned your BlackBelt and you will be able to wear your belt proudly anywhere! We will do what we can to help you get there, and you’ll find that other life goals will also fall into place along the way as you grow. This manual is written with the intent to help you get there.
BUDDY TESTING
If you are testing with a buddy then do your rank testing at the same time. Stay on track together. Each person testing for rank must submit a separate rank testing certification fee as certificates are issued for each person. Your IBDA membership dues must be current.
Testing Process
Your IBDA membership dues must be current.
How long between kyu level rank testings?
There is usually a three month training period required between tests to provide for the internalization of the Taijutsu (whole body motion). We would like to see you test regularly. You will be told by the instructor testing you when your next test date is. If for some reason this is not stated then it is always about 3 months. If you are doing really well or have not been testing regularly then the instructor may tell you to test again as soon as you are ready. This is rare but it does happen for those that pay attention to all the small details in their training and train more regularly.
Provide your testing instructor your kyu level reports
Please review the kyu requirements list carefully to see if a report is required. Prepare this report before your testing time. If this needs to come to the IBDA hombu you can send this by e-mail ahead of time, or handwrite it or print it and include it when testing. We will not process the test results until this report is received.
Remember, practice does not make perfect –
Only perfect practice makes perfect!
For more information about TESTING PROCESS AND GUIDELINES please check your Shodan Manual.
IBDA RANK CERTIFICATES
All IBDA Bujinkan Ninjutsu (aka NinpoTaijutsu-Budo Taijutsu) ranking certificates are issued by IBDA in Ninpo Taijutsu (as they were in the old days) and certified/signed by Doshi Richard Van Donk, IBDA HeadMaster (Bujinkan Jugodan Dai Shihan).
Our IBDA curriculum, ranking and testing is different than other Bujinkan dojos around the world. We study the Takamatsu-Den arts from the aspect of the Warrior-Monk and feel that the more ancient knowledge should never be lost and it is perhaps more important to learn than just more techniques. We offer all of that knowledge also
All IBDA students will be enrolled in programs that give them exact information that they need to know in order to be tested for the next grade. Thier IBDA Membership needs to be current and ALL CURRENT CERTIFICATION FEES are given in the IBDA Membership Portal. There they can also pay for their rank test and certificate fee. Also complete up to date instructions are there.
If you still have questions please Call or Text 707-987-9322.
To be properly ranked in this art you are required to obtain ranking certificates beginning with 9th kyu. If you do not have a certificate you do not hold that rank. In the event that you do not pass the fee will be returned at your request, or we will hold it until you are ready to try again. To be eligible to apply for rank testing your annual IBDA membership dues must be current and enrolled in a dojo or study program.
Good Luck, and as Soke Hatsumi says, “Keepa Going” !
IBDA Rank Test Sheets
per Kyu level
Black Belt Home Study Course
Rank Guidelines Test Forms
- 9th Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- 8th Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- 7th Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- 6th Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- 5th Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- 4th Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- 3rd Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- 2nd Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- 1st Kyu Rank Guidelines Test Form
- Shodan Rank Guidelines Test Form