Criteria and testing procedures for rank in Ryu Kyu Kobudo are listed below.  Further explanation is included in the videos on the Kobudo Training page for your convenience.  

Please read the Evaluation Process outlined at the bottom of this page.  If you have any concerns, email us at: wkkjo.budo@gmail.com

The Basics Check List identifies the requirements necessary to be completed (part i of ii parts for White to Orange belt evaluation) within ten minutes. Kyoshi has demonstrated all of the basics on video for you in sequence in "Covering the Basics" video. Basics are then contained in all of the required Kata up to Black Belt, and should be further developed over time.

Your evaluation will be based on the Basics Check List and the Kata Rubric that analyzes each Kata. You will receive feedback after each evaluation (Orange, Green, Brown, and BLack Belt) which will determine if you progress to the next level, or determine if you require remediation. If you are successful, you will receive a Belt and Certificate in the mail.  If you are not successful, we will review another upload from you, based on the recommendations that you received to improve your practices.

Basics Check List – 10 minute max
1 – Stances
I) Zenkutsu Dashi (Front Forward Leaning Stance) – 70/30 weight distribution, front knee over the front toe, chest behind the hips, back foot turned forward, front foot turned inward.
II) Neko Ashi Dashi (Cat Stance) – 90/10 weight distribution, front heel is forward of the front knee, back foot is 45 degrees to the angle of attack/defense.
III) Kiba Dashi (Horse Stance) – 50/50 weight distribution, outside edges of the feet parallel.

2 – Blocking with the Bo
I) Low/Down Block in front - protecting from a groin strike in Kiba Dashi.
II) Upper Block over head, protecting from a head strike in Kiba Dashi.
III) Middle Block to the side, protecting from a rib strike in Kiba Dashi.
IV) Lower Block outside the front knee, protecting from lower leg strike in Zenkutsu Dashi.

3 – Thrusts
I) Forward Thrust in Zenkutsu Dashi
II) Lateral Thrust in Kiba Dashi

4 – Strikes
I) Head strike, advancing in Zenkutsu Dashi, finish with your Bo parallel to the floor.
II) Rib strike, advancing in Zenkutsu Dashi, finish with your Bo parallel to the floor.

5 – (Combination) Head strike-Hook-Poke
I) Advance with a head strike, shuffle back with a hook, and shuffle forward and poke.

6 - Kihon and Bunkai (Application)

You can email Kyoshi Simon Sherbourne at wkkjo.budo@gmail.com if you have any questions or feedback...