Jissen Dojos Grading Tips

For anyone doing last minute study for tomorrows grading, I recommend studying and practicing the following areas:

Practical - Sanshin and Kihon Happo. Know all the parts, their names in Japanese and the English Translations (eg. Chi no kata - Earth Form, Sui No Kata - Water Form, Ka No Kata - Fire Form, Fu No Kata - Wind Form and Ku No Kata - Void Form). For beginners the Sanshin is crucial, for the intermediate people, both Sanshin and Kihon Happo are needed to grade.

Theory - Names of the 33rd and 34th Soke (Head) of the Togakure Ryu, also Takamatsu's nickname (Mongolian Tiger), The 18 areas of Study in Togakure Ryu (eg Taijitsu, Seishin Tekki Kyoyo, Henso Jutsu, Kenjustu, So Jutsu, Ba Jutsu) and their english translation (eg. unarmed combat, Spiritual refinment, Disguise & Impersonation, Sword work, spear work, Horsemanship). If you can list even one or two at lower grades, then Sensei will probably stop asking you questions. Be confident and look like you know more than you do!

Also know the names of the Nine Schools in English and Japanese. If you can't rote learn these, then workout what the different parts of the names mean. For example Gyo is found in the names Gyokushin Ryu and Gyokko Ryu. It means Jewel. Ko is tiger, as in Koto Ryu and Gyokko Ryu. Shin and Shinden refer to the heart, as in Takagi Yoshin Ryu and Shinden Fudo Ryu.

Gakure refers to things that are hidden, as in Togakure and Kumogakure Ryu, which are the hidden door and hiding in the clouds schools respectively.

Some background on the schools is good, eg is it a koppojutsu, jutaijutsu, Koshijutsu or Daken Taijiutsu. Also what was the school known for, eg Takagi Yoshin Ryu is the Bodyguard School.

Also which schools are Ninja schools and which are Samurai schools.

Also know the three secrets of Togakure Ryu - Senban Shuriken (4 pointed stars), Shuko (Hand claws) and Shindake (Breathing Tube/ Blowpipe).

These are the things Sensei commonly asks about. Now it's up to you...