Hoshin Kan Promotion Guidelines

Table of Contents

Promotion Philosophy

How Promotion Eligibility is Determined

Promotions in Different Styles

Promotion in Primary and Secondary Styles

Specific Promotion Plan for Karateka

Specific Promotion Plan for Jujutsuka

Conversion of Hoshin Kan Goshin Jutsu to Another Style

Process when a New Student has a Pre-existing Rank

Appendix A – Promotion Eligibility Requirements

Appendix B – Motobu ha Shito-Ryu Kata Requirements

Appendix C – Goju-Ryu Kata Requirements

Appendix D – Kata Requirements for a Student who assesses into Motobu ha Shito Ryu as a Green Belt

 

Promotion Philosophy

At the Hoshin Kan, we believe that self-defense must be a tool that anyone can use.  People are victimized daily, regardless of their age, race, gender, beliefs or body types.  The average physical altercation lasts less than a minute.  We prepare our students for a self-defense situation by seeking economy of energy though efficiency of movement and proficiency of technique.  As such, our techniques, and by extension our testing, do not focus on physicality.  While there is a value to the practice of sparring for an hour during a test, it is not in keeping with the training philosophy of the Hoshin Kan.

That being said, our testing is not easy.  Furthermore, the Hoshin Kan will not issue rank to those who are not ready.  In short, self-defense is for everyone, but rank credentialing may not be.  While our tests are not physically demanding, techniques must be effective.

It is important for a student to understand that their rank is not truly for them.  Instead, rank helps with ensuring the safety of the student.  When a student holds a rank, other practitioners can quickly assess the rough skill set of the student based on their belt.  For example, there is a common expression in the martial arts that if a Black Belt gets punched in the face, then it is their fault, not the fault of the attacking student.

Speaking in generalities, a beginner level student (White Belt through Orange Belt) is still learning to move, block, punch, and kick.  As such, no one will attack a beginner level student too violently in the Dojo.  An intermediate level student (Green Belt through Purple Belt) is learning to throw and fall.  This means that if you are working with an intermediate level student, expect to be taken down.  Advanced students (Brown Belts) are expected to serve as Uke during instruction and are expected to survive any reasonable technique thrown at them.  If a student’s skill set does not reach this mark, then it is very dangerous for that student to wear an advanced rank.

Unfortunately, promotions have become a second form of income for many martial arts organizations.  This results in students being over ranked if they can pay for the rank.  Our goal is to return to the origins of the promotion concept and ensure that our students exceed the skills needed for their rank.  It is better to be slightly under ranked than to wear a belt that you do not deserve.

How Promotion Eligibility is Determined

There are three considerations in determining if a student is eligible for promotion in their primary art.  These three components are: time in grade (TIG), total training hours (TTH), and the test.  Generally, a student must have met the requirements of at least two of the three components.  Appendix A contains detailed information about TIG and TTH requirements for each rank.

Purpose of Time in Grade

The purpose of time in grade is to ensure that a student does not get promoted too quickly.  Unlike total training hours, time in grade resets upon promotion.  Time in grade is considered because some students take longer to learn the material and as a result, they have an excess of total training hours upon promotion.  As total training hours do not reset upon promotion, this means that a student could be promoted and already be close to their next promotion, based solely upon total training hours.

Purpose of Total Training Hours

The purpose of total training hours is to ensure that a student is not penalized by time in grade requirements if they exceed training expectations.  Our promotions are calculated upon 12 hours of training a month.  This breaks down to three training hours a week; three training hours a week is the average that most martial artist can manage.  As some students, affectionately known as “Dojo rats,” far exceed the average training rate, the Hoshin Kan will not hold these students back from early promotion.

The Purpose of the Test

As apparent from the purposes of TIG and TTH, there is a conflict of theory.  TIG is meant to prevent early promotion, while TTH allows for it.  The final determination of when promotion occurs is based upon the skill of the student.  Students are tested for all promotions.  A student must exceed a composite score of 70 percent for promotion.  Successfully passing the test, plus meeting either the TIG or TTH requirements, makes a student eligible for promotion.

Promotions in Different Styles

The Hoshin Kan has direct promotion authority in the following arts:

• Tactical Tomiki Aikido – to Yondan
• Hoshin Kan Goshin Jutsu – to Yondan
• Motobu ha Shito Ryu Karate – to Yondan
• Goju Ryu Karate – to Shodan
• Hoshin Kan Military Combatives – to Shodan
• Judo – to Shodan
• Hoshin Kan Jujutsu – to Shodan
• Kobudo – to Shodan

The Hoshin Kan is an approved facility for:

• Shobudo
• Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo
• Satori Ryu Iaido
• Cane Masters

If a student exceeds the direct promotion authority of the Hoshin Kan, we have the ability to recommend higher promotion through the governing organization.

Promotion in Primary and Secondary Styles

Primary Styles

The three tiered promotion system applies to a student’s primary style.  Currently, all students’ primary style will be either:

• Motobu ha Shito-Ryu
• Tactical Tomiki Aikido
• Hoshin Kan Jujutsu
• Hoshin Kan Goshin Jutsu

Secondary Styles

Total training hours are not calculated for secondary styles.  To receive promotion in secondary styles, a student must pass the test and have a time in grade of three months.  Generally, a student’s secondary style rank cannot exceed their rank in their primary style.  Exceptions to this rule include: Military Combatives and the sword arts.  Secondary styles include:

• Goju Ryu Karate
• Hoshin Kan Military Combatives
• Judo
• Kobudo

Special Case Secondary Styles

Special case secondary styles are those that the Hoshin Kan can teach, but cannot directly promote students in.

• Shobudo
• Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo
• Satori Ryu Iaido
• Cane Masters

For these special case secondary styles, the governing organizations requirements and testing standards must be met.  Testing is as follows:

• Shobudo – Testing is completed at the Hoshin Kan, a report is given to the Shobudo Kai for final promotion approval.
• Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo – Testing must be completed before Tony Alvarez, Menkyo Kaiden, at an annual Gasshuku.
• Satori Ryu Iaido – Video testing must be completed before Jerry Cichon, Sensei. The video is then sent to the Satori Ryu Kaicho for final approval.
• Cane Masters – Video test can be completed at the Hoshin Kan. The video is sent to the Cane Masters headquarters for final review and approval.

Specific Promotion Plan for Karateka

Overview

All Karate students will start their training in Motobu ha Shito-Ryu Karate.  Once the student reaches Shodan, there is a two year TIG requirement for promotion to Nidan.  This TIG requirement cannot be waived.  Upon promotion to Shodan in Motobu ha Shito-Ryu Karate, students will have the option to be promoted to Green Belt (Rokkyu) in Goju-Ryu Karate.  Promotions in Goju-Ryu will focus on the Naha “S” kata; these kata are generally taught within the Black Belt ranks in Shito-Ryu Karate.  Students will be eligible for a Goju-Ryu Karate promotion every three months, totaling 18 months from Green Belt to Shodan.  This leaves the last six months of the 2 year TIG requirement for Motobu ha Shito-Ryu for test preparation.

Motobu ha Shito-Ryu Karate Requirements

Appendix B contains a list of Motobu ha Shito-Ryu Kata known to the Hoshin Kan.  This is list broken into training sets; these training sets are referenced in the specific promotion requirements per rank.

Yellow Belt Requirements

• Kihon Test
• Kata Test
• 1 Kata from the Pinan Set
• 1 Kata from the Advanced Kihon Set

Orange Belt Requirements

• Kihon Test
• Kata Test
• 1 Kata from the Pinan Set
• 1 Kata from the Advanced Kihon Set
• Previous Requirements

Green, Blue, and Purple Belt Requirements

• Kihon Test
• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• 1 Kata from the Pinan Set
• 1 Kata from the Intermediate Set
• X Kata randomly selected test day

Brown Belt (Sankyu, Nikyu, Ikkyu) Requirements

• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• 1 Kata from the Advanced Set
• X Kata randomly selected test day

Sempai Requirements

• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• EDIP Test
• 5 Kata from the Kihon Set

Shodan Requirements

• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• 3 Preselected kata
• 5 Kata randomly selected test day

Goju-Ryu Karate Requirements

Once promoted to Shodan in Motobu ha Shito-Ryu Karate, students will have the option of being credentialing in Goju-Ryu Karate.  This option is only available if the student is credentialed as a Sempai. Goju-Ryu Karate will be used as the vehicle for developing the teaching skills needed for obtaining a Shidoin through the International Seishinkai Karate Union (ISKU).

Green Belt (Rokkyu) through Brown Belt (Ikkyu) Requirements

• Three months TIG
• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• EDIP (Explain, Demonstrate, Imitate, Practice) one technique
• 1 Kata as listed in Appendix C
• Set up a Drill from a randomly assigned portion of the Kata
  • The Drill will utilize proper EDIP, be either a Kumite or Kumitachi, be appropriate for the students present for the Drill, and incorporate safety considerations

Shodan Requirements

• Three months TIG
• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• 4 Kata randomly selected test day
• Teach a 1 hour class over one randomly selected kata

Specific Promotion Plan for Jujutsuka

Overview

Currently, the Hoshin Kan is promoting students under the house style of Jujutsu until we can establish a relationship with a new organization.  The Hoshin Kan is associated with the Shobudo Kai; however, Shobudo is a difficult and painful art.  It should be considered an elite form of Jujutsu and is not a good fit for every Jujutsuka.  Students currently training in Jujutsu are eligible to credential in Hoshin Kan Jujutsu and Shobudo if they can meet the stringent Shobudo requirements.

Future Jujutsu Plan

The Hoshin Kan is currently working to establish a relationship with a new Jujutsu organization that can support our students who do not feel that Shobudo is a good fit for them.  Our goal is to have this issue resolved before any of our students are eligible for promotion to Shodan.

The Rank Relationship between Hoshin Kan Jujutsu and Shobudo

Shobudo is a four-kyu system, meaning that students start as a Yonkyu and are promoted to Shodan within four promotions.  The current Shobudo rank requirements are listed in Appendix A.  Unlike Shobudo’s four-kyu system, the house style of Jujutsu will be a nine-kyu system.  This is in keeping with the rank structures of our other styles (Karate, Kobudo, Judo, and Aikido).

All students who desire promotion in Shobudo will be vetted through the promotion process of the house style.  Testing for Shobudo ranks will be authorized when students obtain key ranks in our house style.  The relationship is shown below.

Hoshin Kan Jujutsu Rank	Shobudo Rank
Hachikyu (Yellow)
Shichikyu (Orange)
Rokkyu (Green)	Sankyu (Patch)
Gokyu (Blue)
Yonkyu (Purple)
Sankyu (Brown)	Nikyu (Green)
Nikyu (Brown)
Ikkyu (Brown)	Ikkyu (Brown)
Shodan (Black)	Shodan (Black)

Conversion of Hoshin Kan Goshin Jutsu to another Style

Goshin Jutsu means “techniques for defense of the body.”  This means that Goshin Jutsu is a non-style specific form of self-defense.  The Hoshin Kan uses its house style of Goshin Jutsu as an alternative for students who cannot meet the physical requirements of Karate, Jujutsu, or Aikido.  Currently, our Goshin Jutsu only requires three kata: Sanchin, Tensho, and Naihanchi Shodan.  The promotion criteria for Goshin Jutsu are the same as they are for their primary style counterparts.  The difference is that less curriculum is required.

When a student tests for a rank in Goshin Jutsu, the quality of their skill must be on par with the required skill for that rank in other styles.  Accommodations can be made for physical disabilities or limitations.  The high proficiency standard of Goshin Jutsu is for the safety of the student.  As we have discussed, the student’s belt is not for the student.  Instead, the belt serves as an indicator for other practitioners of the rough skill set that the student should have.  For example, it is common practice for Brown Belt students to be thrown to the ground.  If a student is wearing a Brown Belt, they must be prepared to be treated as a Brown Belt.

It is important to note that the Hoshin Kan believes that Self-Defense is a tool that should be available to everyone.  That, however, does not mean that we believe that every student should have a Black Belt.  Ranks must be earned, they cannot be given.

Goshin Jutsu students are authorized to convert their rank to either Karate, Jujutsu, or Aikido without penalty.  In order to do this, the student will test in the appropriate style for the rank that they currently hold.  To pass this test, students must meet all of the requirements of the style they wish to convert to.  This test will be a cumulative examination of all knowledge needed to obtain a rank in the style.  For example, Karate tests generally have three to four kata.  However, it requires 13 kata to obtain a Black Belt.  If a Goshin Jutsu student wishes to convert their Black Belt to Karate, all 13 kata (with bunkai) must be presented.  We understand that this is a difficult task.  The conversion option is for students who have improved their physical conditioning and abilities to the point that they can safely hold a rank in Karate, Jujutsu, or Aikido.  Not every student will be able to make this transition.

If a student is able to successfully convert their rank, their Goshin Jutsu rank will be revoked when their new rank is issued.  This is to prevent a student from claiming that they have “two Black Belts” when they have only done the work for one.

Process when a New Student has a Pre-existing Rank

It is not uncommon for a student to join a new Dojo when they already have a rank issued by another school.  There are two ways that the Hoshin Kan handles this depending on the rank previously held.

Process if the Student did not hold a Black Belt

If a new student has a kyu rank from another school and the rank is below Green Belt, they will start as a White Belt at the Hoshin Kan.  If the student’s kyu ranks was Green Belt or above, then they can assess up to Green Belt within the Hoshin Kan. This would require the student passing a Kihon test and paying a promotion fee.  With both of these options, further promotions are held to the standard of the Primary Style Promotion Requirements.

Process if the Student holds a Black Belt Rank

If a new student has a Black Belt rank but wants to receive credentialing through the Hoshin Kan, they will be assessed in as a Green Belt.  This would require the student passing a Kihon test and paying a promotion fee.  Further rank requirements will have a three month TIG and 36 hour training requirement.  This means that a student could potentially receive their Black Belt in 18 months, with a total of 216 training hours.  In this case, TIG cannot be waived.  Students will also have to pass all technique / kata requirements of the rank.  As such, though promotions can occur every three months, they may take longer.  A kata requirements chart can be found in Appendix D that adjusts the kata requirements, accounting for a student assessing into Motobu ha Shito-Ryu at the Green Belt level.

Appendix A – Promotion Eligibility Requirements

Primary Style Promotion Requirements

Kyu Rank	Promoted to	Months	Hours	Total Mos	Total Hrs
Kukyu	White
Hachikyu	Yellow	3	36	3	36
Shichikyu	Orange	3	36	6	72
Rokkyu	Green	6	72	12	144
Gokyu	Blue	6	72	18	216
Yonkyu	Purple	6	72	24	288
Sankyu	Brown 3	6	72	30	360
Nikyu	Brown 2	6	72	36	432
Ikkyu	Brown 1	6	72	42	504
	Shodan	12	144	54	648

Youth Karate Program

Kyu Rank	Promoted to	Months	Hours	Total Mos	Total Hrs
Kukyu	White
Kukyu	Adv White	3	18	3	18
Hachikyu	Yellow	3	18	6	36
Hachikyu	Adv Yellow	3	18	9	54
Shichikyu	Orange	3	18	12	72
Shichikyu	Adv Orange	3	18	15	90
Rokkyu	Green	6	36	21	126
Rokkyu	Adv Green	6	36	27	162
Gokyu	Blue	6	36	33	198
Gokyu	Adv Blue	6	36	39	234
Yonkyu	Purple	6	36	45	270
Yonkyu	Adv Purple	6	36	51	306
Sankyu	Brown 3	6	36	57	342
Nikyu	Brown 2	6	36	63	378
Ikkyu	Brown 1	6	36	69	414
Ikkyu	Adv Brown	6	36	75	450

Shobudo

Kyu Rank	Promoted to	Months	Hours	Total Mos	Total Hrs
Yonkyu	White
Sankyu	Patch	6	120	6	120
Nikyu	Green	8	160	14	280
Ikkyu	Brown	8	160	22	440
Shodan	Black	10	200	32	640
Nidan	Black	12	240	44	880
Sandan	Black	12	240	56	1120

Appendix B – Motobu ha Shito-Ryu Kata Requirements

Kihon Set (Children & Sempai)

• Goho no Uke (Earth)
• Enpi Ropou (Earth)
• Ten no Kata (Fire)
• Chi no Kata (Earth)
• Jin no Kata 1-8 (Fire)

Advanced Kihon Set (Yellow – Orange)

• Sanchin (Earth)
• Tensho (Water)

Pinan Set (Yellow – Purple)

• Pinan Shodan (Wind)
• Pinan Nidan (Fire)
• Pinan Sandan (Earth)
• Pinan Yondan (Water)
• Pinan Godan (Earth)

Intermediate Set

• Matsukaze (Wind)
• Rouhai (Fire)
• Ananku (Earth)
• [Juroku (Fire)]
• [Pachu (Fire)]

Advanced Set

• Passai Dai (Fire)
• Naihanchi Shodan (Earth)
• Kusanku Dai (Fire)

Appendix C – Goju-Ryu Kata Requirements

Green Belt (Rokyu)

• Sanchin (Earth) [Shito-Ryu Overlap]
• Gekisai Dai Ichi (Fire)

Blue Belt (Gokyu)

• Gekisai Dai Ni (Fire)

Purple Belt (Yonkyu)

• Saifa (Wind/Water) [Shito-Ryu Overlap]

Brown Belt (Sankyu)

• Seyunchin Earth [Shito-Ryu Overlap]

Brown Belt (Nikyu)

• Sanseru (Fire/Earth)

Brown Belt (Ikkyu)

• Seisan (Earth) [Shito-Ryu Overlap]

Shodan

• No Additional Requirements

Nidan

• Shisochin (Water)

Sandan

• Seipai (Earth) [Shito-Ryu Overlap]

Yondan

• Kururunfa (Wind) [Shito-Ryu Overlap]

Godan

• Suparenpi
• Tensho (Water) [Shito-Ryu Overlap]

Appendix D – Kata Requirements for a Student who assesses into Motobu ha Shito Ryu as a Green Belt

Appendix B contains a list of Motobu ha Shito Ryu Kata known to the Hoshin Kan.

Green, Blue, and Purple Belt Requirements

• Kihon Test
• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• 1 Kata from the Pinan Set
• 1 Kata from the Intermediate Set
• X Kata randomly selected test day

Brown Belt (Sankyu, Nikyu) Requirements

• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• 1 Kata from the Pinan Set
• 1 Kata from the Advanced Kihon Set
• 1 Kata from the Advanced Set
• X Kata randomly selected test day

Ikkyu Requirements

• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• 1 Kata from the Advanced Set
• X Kata randomly selected test day

Sempai Requirements

• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• EDIP Test
• 5 Kata from the Kihon Set

Shodan Requirements

• Kata Test
• Bunkai Test
• 3 Preselected kata
• 5 Kata randomly selected test day