Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai


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CROSS-CERTIFICATION
 CAUTION: SO YOU DON'T SPIN YOUR WHEELS



Description:
 The Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai [BJJY] was created in 1994 to meet the needs of my black belts and inquiries by people worldwide who had purchased my Ohara Publications books, or the Panther Productions/CMA 8-DVD/MP4 series, [who wanted to have some instructional guidance as they worked through the books and the videos]. Both of  these groups wanted to have a "home". The BJJY was set up to meet these needs.

The BJJY uses a variety of methods to insure a top quality support program, blending the traditional standards and format of the art of Ju-Jitsu with modern technology. Both the Student Handbook and Black Belt Handbook will provide you with all requirements for every belt rank. This makes the instructional and testing process completely straightforward and open from the very start without any surprises for you!


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 BJJY Membership Benefits:
The BJJY is the only organization to provide a modern, coordinated and comprehensive training system for the art of Budoshin Ju-Jitsu. The BJJY is able to accomplish this through an integrated program that uses the following resources that are available at various discounts in my store [click here]. Please be aware that some of these books are currently out of print, but still available from various sources on the internet.

 Black Belt Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Home Study Course ©1992: Eight instructional DVDs.
Black Belt Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Home Study Course - Multimedia Version ©2015: mp4 version of the 8-dvd set
 Jujitsu: Toward One Technique ©2019.
Jujitsu: Advanced Techniques for Redirecting an Opponent's Energy ©2015.
Ju-Jitsu: Basic Techniques of the Gentle Art - EXPANDED Edition ©2011 [Updates and replaces the original version published in 1983.
 Ju-Jitsu: Intermediate Techniques of the Gentle Art ©1985. OUT OF PRINT
 Jujitsu Nerve Techniques: The Invisible Weapon of Self Defense: ©2001. OUT OF PRINT
 Advanced Jujitsu: The Science Behind the Gentle Art  ©2006.

JUJITSU FIGURE-4 LOCKS; Submission Holds of the Gentle Art  ©2009. OUT OF PRINT

Student and Black Belt Handbooks
 Budoshin Ju-Jitsu [6th ed. ©2002]

 Numerous Seminar Videos [mp4 format] [click here]
 Kokoro: The BJJY newsletter [currently published monthly].

 

Continually meeting the needs of our members through improved service:

  • Student and Black Belt Handbooks are periodically updated. The Student Handbook is currently in its 12th edition [2019] and the Black Belt Handbook is in its 5th ed [2015].
  • You can take your exams by video & receive a prompt audio evaluation. You can send your completed video exam to me via Hightail [no registration or sign-up needed] as an mp4 file & receive an audio evaluation as a email attachment, usually within 24-48 hours.
  • Procedure for cross-certifying instructors from other martial arts implimented in 2016. Process information is free. See below.
  • Kokoro [our BBJY newsletter], certificates and most other instructional materials are now sent to you as pdf files. This is much faster and less expensive than printing & mailing costs, helps keep membership fees down, and saves trees!
  • Instructional videos up through godan are available as mp4 files.
  • Technique fixes [and fine points] are available on YouTUBE as an available resource to the entire martial arts community.

 

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 Types of Membership:
Benefits Yudansha BJJY Membership*
[Black Belt in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu]		 Mudansha BJJY Membership*
[Below or not a Black Belt in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu]
Membership Certificate: yes and shows black belt rank yes
Student Handbook: yes yes
Black Belt Handbook: at 2nd kyu
Electronic Medium Evaluations: See formal testing below 3 free evaluations/year
[$25 each thereafter]
Formal Testing [sankyu & higher only]: [$25 setup fee per test if you're using "free" evaluations above - $45 otherwise] yes: sankyu & higher grades
[$25 testing fee if you're using "free" evaluations above - $45 otherwise]
Certificate of Rank: yes - no fee yes - no fee
Technical Support: yes yes
Kokoro newsletter & other announcements: via email via email
BJJY patch/crest for new members: BJJY Black Belt crest/emblem to be worn on left sleeve of gi Budoshin Jujitsu crest/emblem to be worn on left sleeve of gi
E-mail address ending with @budoshin.com: yes yes
Select product discounts in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Store: yes yes
Membership Fee [U.S. or foreign]
[for 12+ months to nearest following June or December]:		 $35-40/1-year options
$130/5-year membership
 $35-40/1-year options
$130/5-year membership


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 Belt Testing:
If you are a BJJY member you may test for rank below the grade of 3rd kyu [3rd brown belt] by submitting a video DVD [or mp4 file you can send via my Hightail dropbox]  of you following the appropriate Mat Test sequence in the Student Handbook. I will do an audio evaluation [e-mail attachment to you for immediate feedback of your progress, indicating strengths, weaknesses, and areas that require particular attention]. A certificate of rank will be issued if you meet the belt rank criteria. As a BJJY member, you may submit up to three video evaluation per year for free as part of your membership benefits. There is a minimal charge for additional video evaluations.

The BJJY requires that you engage in a more formal testing format, starting with Sankyu, to make sure that you are progressing in the art a competent manner. This involves sending a pre-evaluation tape [which is waived if you've secured lower ranks from me] and answering questions on a short-answer written test. If the pre-evaluation and written test are satisfactory then you will be sent the formal mat test.

Formal testing is also required for all Black Belt candidates! You must satisfactorily complete a  written essay response to a series of open-ended questions as a prerequisite for all dan grades prior to the mat testing. There is a minimal charge for testing. Complete testing requirements are in the Black Belt Handbook. BJJY and AJA certificates of rank are issued for all grades when the candidate meets the requirements, and has a current BJJY and AJA membership. Also, all dan grades are recognized by the European Ju-Jitsu Union/Intercontinental Jujitsu Federation and other organization through mutual recognition agreements. International certificates will be issued for Rokudan [6th dan] and higher only.

Please be aware that there may be other sensei fraudulently claiming to hold yudansha grades in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu and there may be other organizations fraudulently issuing yudansha grades in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of an instructor or promoting organization, please e-mail the BJJY. You will receive a prompt reply.

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Cross-Certification for Existing Ju-Jitsu Yudansha

In 2015 the Budoshin Jujitsu Yudanshakai established a procedure by which jujitsu yudansha from different styles/ryu of traditional Japanese jujitsu can cross-certify into Budoshin Ju-Jitsu black belt ranks up through 5th dan. In order to go through this process you will have to secure your BJJY membership and secure a Black Belt Handbook.

 

Please click here for an overview of the cross-certification process [excerpted from the Black Belt Handbook].

 

Click here to download a copy of the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Cross Referencing Form, so you can cross-reference your ryu of jujitsu to Budoshin Ju-Jitsu. Don't worry if you can't fill in every line or cross-reference every Budoshin Ju-Jitsu technique.

 

If you are a BJJY member the Black Belt Handbook is free, part of your membership benefits. 

 

If you just want to purchase the black Belt Handbook click here.

 

Caution: So You Don't Spin Your Wheels
Please don't submit a video showing you executing all the techniques demonstrated on my 8-DVD/MP4 series and that I will then send you a shodan certificate. That will not happen. Earning a yudansha grade at any level in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu, or any other reputable ryu of the art, requires a great deal more than the rote, memorized presentation of required kata & waza. Students who have worked through the Budoshin Jujisu belt ranks have no problems with these requirements as it's been a simple progression of acquired skills for them. These requirements are presented in greater detail in the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Student and Black Belt Handbooks.


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Approximate Time In Grade:
 The guide that follows will give you an approximate timeline for progressing to each belt in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu. The timeline is based upon 2-4 hours of class instruction & workout per week. Please be aware that your time in grade may be modified by such factors as your age, physical condition, coordination, workout time schedule, rapid learning ability and previous martial arts experience, among other factors. I was able to put in 6-8 hours of instruction plus another 4-6 hours of training per week as a student & thus progressed much faster. [It’s amazing how much time you have when you’re young.]
  • To 7th kyu - Yellow Belt [optional] - 15-30 hours instruction plus practice time
  • To 6th kyu - Green Belt - 15-30 hours instruction plus practice time
  • To 5th kyu - Blue Belt [color change 6/06] - 25-50 hours instruction plus practice time
  • To 4th kyu - Purple Belt - 25-50 hours instruction plus practice time
  • To 3rd kyu - Brown Belt with Green Stripe - 50-75 hours instruction plus practice time
  • To 2nd kyu - Brown Belt with Black Stripe - 50-75 hours instruction plus practice time
  • To 1st kyu - Brown Belt with Blue Stripe - 50-75 hours instruction plus practice time
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 How to Join the BJJY:
 If you would like to join the BJJY & pay using PayPal, please click here to got to the membership registration page.  There are also great combination pages of books, DVD/MP4s & BJJY membership

As a new regular member you will receive a Certificate of Membership, Budoshin Jujitsu patch, Student Handbook, personalized guidance, any and all questions answered by e-mail, and your free three video evaluations per year in addition to your subscription to Budoshin-Online and Kokoro.


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FAQ: Common Questions:
 1. How do I get my Shodan [1st degree black belt] in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu?
  1. Secure your BJJY membership.
  2. Complete all the requirements for mudansha grades [below black belt] as specified in the Student Handbook, with the emphasis on technical proficiency. Belt testing is available  starting at the Rokyu [6th kyuGreen Belt] level. Contact the BJJY if you have any questions about the testing process.
  3. Request the Black Belt Handbook when you reach the 2nd kyu Brown Belt level. Review it & make sure you can fulfill all of the requirements. The Black Belt mat exams are based upon the Brown Belt requirements in the Student Handbook. It may take some time to meet all the criteria, depending upon your technical proficiency in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu, experience in other martial arts & other factors.
  4. Send me a detailed autobiography of yourself when you're ready to test for Shodan as well as the required reference letters. Also, request information on the specific testing process and testing fee [$25/test setup].
  5. Submit a DVD [or mp4 file you can send via my Hightail dropbox] for evaluation. For Sankyu & higher grades the video should have a freestyle kata portion  followed by a demonstration of all the kata & waza appropriate to the belt level you plan to secure. [Keep the original video & send me a copy.]  This comprehensive video requirement may be waived if you've worked your way up through the Budoshin Jujitsu mudansha ranks. I will send you an audio evaluation  for immediate feedback.
  6. If I feel you have a good chance of passing the Brown or Black Belt examination I will inform you how to proceed. There also is a written exam for all brown and black belt grades that must be satisfactorily completed prior to mat testing. The test setup fee is $25 for brown belt and $25 for black belt grades.

 
2. Approximately how many techniques are there in the system to shodan level?

  1. You must be proficient with the 54 different kata [techniques] plus responses for 52 different street attacks listed in the Shodan kata & waza lists. At the time of testing you will be asked to demonstrate 5-10 kata and respond to 5-10 street situations I have selected from from the Shodan list. You will not have any forewarning of these test elements and must be able to demonstrate those kata and street responses instantaneously.

  2. You also have to demonstrate the ability to defend against continuous random street attacks by uke. You must also be able to demonstrate effective use of a martial arts "tool". You may submit a valid gun-safety course certificate in lieu of one of the defensive tool demonstration.

3. What is the difference between a "kata" [technique] and response to a "street attack"?

  1. A kata is a specific technique, such as koshi nage [hip throw] or tekubi shimi waza [wristlock technique].

  2. A waza [response to street attack] would be to use any kata you have learned to defend yourself agsint a specified street attack, such as a headlock, choke, hit, kick, club attak, knife thrust, etc.

4. Do I need to demonstrate ALL of the techniques on each video for each belt rank test/evaluation?

  1. NO! You only need to demonstrate the "kata" and "waza" listed for each belt exam [up through 4th kyu] as specified in the Student Handbook.

  2. Starting at brown belt [3rd kyu] and into the dan grades you need to be able to execute all the kata and waza listed. The examinar will select 5-10 kata & waza randomly from each list. Kata will be called in Japanese only. You will have to execute the kata or waza immediately. More prcedural detail will be provided at the time of these exams.

  3. More detail as to why there are more techniques listed on the videos than what is "required":

    1. Below black belt, each test has a mat portion and a knowledge/terminology portion. The mat exam is broken into a “kata” section [specific forms] and a “waza” section [self-defense]. In the kata portion I ask for specific techniques, such as koshi nage [hip throw], te nage [hand throw] te tatake [a striking/hitting technique], etc. In the waza portion I ask you to do a self-defense technique against a hit, choke, short grab, etc.

    2. Although the techniques that you demonstrated in the kata portion can also be used on the waza portion of the test, when I made each video I chose to demonstrate additional [or different/new] techniques for the waza portion of each test. So you actually end up with more techniques on each video than what are required for any particular belt exam. The “depth” of your learning is up to you, although it’s ultimately to your advantage to learn all of the techniques. The 8-dvd or mp4 video series will actually take you almost all the way through nidan [second degree black belt] technique-wise.

    3. Also, learning anything is a process, whether it be jujitsu or geography. The more you study the better you get. I do not expect you to be perfect with one technique [kata] before you learn the next one. Some techniques you will learn faster than others. I tend to look at specific parts of technique execution at each belt level. If I see that that part is ok, I’m happy because the next piece I’m looking for will also probably be done reasonably well too. You will get better with practice. I don’t really expect to see all the required techniques done well until you get into the brown belt range. It’s a growth process. 

5. How long will it take me to get to Shodan?

  1. That depends entirely upon you, your martial arts experience, ability & willingness to learn, and the amount of time you're willing to dedicate to practice.

  2. In a normal dojo situation, with two 2-hour classes per week, it usually takes a student with no experience 3-7 years to achieve the competence necessary to test for Shodan.
6. Will the BJJY test for grades below Sankyu?
  1. Yes. You can submit "test" videos, based upon the test formats in the Student Handbook. If your skill level is adequate for promotion then a BJJY Certificate of Promotion will be issued to you.
  2. You are strongly encouraged to submit evaluation videos at each of the lower belt levels so you can be assured that you are progressing correctly. If errors in the execution of techniques are being made, it is easier to correct problems at lower ranks. Your acquired skill level will then make the black belt mat test relatively easy.
7. How high in rank can I go with the video DVDs?
  1. While the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Black Belt Home Study Course [8-dvd or mp4 series] formally goes up to Shodan, careful review of them, combined with practicing variations and putting together other combinations can easily bring you up to a level sufficient for Nidan testing.
  2. Nidan-Godan kata are now available on MP4 downloadable files for those who want to go beyond shodan. Additional training & seminar participation is also helpful.
8. What aspect of the art is emphasized in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu?
  1. As a Budoshin Ju-Jitsu student you will learn the gentle art of self-defense. This is a two-pronged approach. First, you learn effective self-defense techniques from the very beginning. Second, you are also taught the art by being exposed to the theory and  mechanics behind each move. Budoshin Ju-Jitsu is a traditional Japanese style of jujitsu, the parent art of aikido, judo, and some styles of karate.
  2. Because of such a wide ranging ability to cause pain and or injury at the practitioners discretion, you are also expected to accept a very strong philosophy of non-violence: that a physical confrontation should be avoided whenever possible and that Ju-Jitsu techniques should be used only to the extent necessary to remove yourself from the immediate situation and protect yourself from further harm.
9. Do I need a training partner?
  1. ABOLUTELY -- YES!!! You need a partner to get a "feel" for the techniques so that they work properly. Hopefully your partner will learn the art as you do.
  2. Your partner can secure his/her own BJJY membership [or you might provide it as a matter of courtesy] if he/she is also interested in being tested and securing promotions in the art.
10. Can martial arts schools or clubs join the BJJY?
  1. Due to liability issues schools & clubs may not join the BJJY directly. However, individuals within a school or club may become members of the BJJY as individuals and can publicize their individual affiliation. Also, if the head instructor of the school is a BJJY black belt he'll have easy access to securing American Ju-Jitsu Association recognition of his dojo.
11. Where can I find answers to other questions?
  1. E-mail me. I'll answer most questions even if you aren't a BJJY member. Questions  are usually answered in a timely manner [usually within a a day or two].
  2. All questions [unless private] are published in Kokoro, our periodic newsletter.
  3. You can purchase all past issues of Kokoro as a single .pdf file. It contains all the questions asked of me since the BJJY began in 1994 and answers to those questions. Go to my jujitsu books page & scroll down [click here] to purchase this item.

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