Testing & Promotion
The International Budo Ryokukai Honbu Dojo is directly associated with the Sports Chanbara Association of Tanabe Sensei; as such, promotions are recognized in Japan. 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 and other stated learning objectives.
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 Toyama Ryu iaido.
*Testing requirements are subject to change.
Ryokukai Iaido Promotion Requirements of the Tengukenkai
6th kyu
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 and other stated learning objectives.
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 Toyama Ryu iaido.
*Testing requirements are subject to change.
Ryokukai Iaido Promotion Requirements of the Tengukenkai
6th kyu
- Happo Kihon waza - The eight basic cuts
- Happo Kamae - The eight fighting stances;
- Happo-giri - Eight-directional cutting;
- Toyama Ryu kata: Ippon me, nihon me, sanbon me. Forms one, two, and three.
- 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.
- Toyama Ryu kata: Yonhon me, gohon me, roppon me. Forms four, five, and six.
- Knowledge: 1) What is the dojo name, and club name and what do they mean; 2) sword nomenclature: (a) tsuka (b) tsuba (c) to-shin (d) saya.
- Toyama Ryu kata: Nanahon me, happon me. Forms seven and eight.
- Seitei touho: Ippon me, nihon me. Forms one and two.
- Knowledge: 1) Describe and explain tenouchi, kesagiri, and chiburi; 2) sword nomenclature: (a) fuchi (b) kashira (c) seppa (d) habaki (e) koiguchi.
- Toyama Ryu kata: Any three (1~8).
- Seitei touho: Sanbon me, yonhon me. Forms three and four.
- Knowledge: 1) Describe and explain the following: (a) enkei sen, (b) maai; 2) sword nomenclature: (a) sageo (b) kurigata (c) kojiri (d) ha.
- Tameshigiri: Hidari kesagiri. Left downward diagonal cut.
- Toyama Ryu kata: Any four (1~8).
- Seitei touho: Gohon me, roppon me. Forms five and six.
- Kumitachi: Ippon me, nihon me, sanbon me. Forms one, two, and three.
- Knowledge: 1) sword nomenclature (a) menuki (b) mekugi (c) mune/mine (d) shinogi (e) hamon.
- Tameshigiri: Migi kesagiri. Right downward diagonal cut.
- Toyama Ryu kata: Any five (1~8).
- Seitei touho: Any two (1~6).
- Kumitachi: Yonhon me, gohon me, roppon me. Forms four, five, and six.
- Knowledge: 1) Describe and explain (a) the importance of tameshigiri (c) "Hyaku Ren Ji Toku."
- Tameshigiri: Sa-yu kesagiri. Left and right downward diagonal cut.
- Toyama Ryu kata: All eight
- Seitei touho: Any three.
- Kumitachi: Two, to be announced prior to examination. Be prepared to demonstrate both uchitachi and shitachi waza.
- Knowledge: Describe and explain (a) zanshin (b) "Shu Ha Ri."
- Tameshigiri: Yondan giri (sa-yu kesagiri, sa-yu kesagiri).
- Time in grade: A minimum of 2 years (300 hrs) consistant training.