This page is intended as a resource for our Brown and Black Belts, to help prepare you for the next Black Belt Test. While the format of the test has changed over time – and may continue to evolve in the future – the items below have remained fairly constant.
Curriculum Requirements
The Black Belt Essay
Students evaluating for the rank of Joshu-Shoban or Shodan–ho are asked to submit a Black Belt Essay before the day of the evaluation. This essay should be approximately one page in length and should be on the topic of what a Black Belt means to you.
Students evaluating for the level of Yondan-ho are asked to submit a Black Belt Thesis prior to the day of the evaluation. This is a longer version of the Black Belt Essay, outlining your journey in the martial arts to this time, what you have learned and what it means to you. Minimum length of two pages.
The fact that you are testing for any level of Black Belt indicates that you have dedicated years of your life to this pursuit. The Black Belt Essay and Thesis are opportunities to reflect on your journey. What does reaching this level mean to you? How has it affected your life? What have you learned about yourself? There are many ways that you can approach this assignment. If you need some inspiration, you can check out the black binder at the dojo, which contains most of the essays submitted in our dojo over the years.
Take your time and enjoy the look back over the distance you’ve travelled to get here!
Tetsudai
Tetsudai is a Japanese word that means “assistant.” This person’s role will be to assist you to prepare for your Black Belt test & ceremony, and to assist during the test and ceremony. The role of Tetsudai includes…
Helping you develop and present your Bunkai (analysis) for your chosen kata.
Serving as your sparring partner on the Black Belt Test (if sparring is included on the test).
Presenting your certificate at the Black Belt Ceremony.
Your Tetsudai should be someone who you are comfortable working with, and who will be able to work with you over the weeks leading up to your test. You will be given a “Tetsudai Letter” to give to your Tetsudai, which will outline the specifics of their role.
When choosing a Tetsudai, it is suggested (bit not required) that you select someone who is not testing at the same time as you. (While some people do this, it does mean that you would both have to remember TWO bunkai presentations: your own and your partner’s!) Your Tetsudai could be a Black Belt, a Brown Belt, or even a Green Belt – provided that they can dedicate the time to help you prepare, and are capable of performing your bunkai presentation with you.
An example Tetsudai letter can be found here.
Kata Bunkai
Each Black Belt testing candidate is expected to select a kata of their choice and prepare a bunkai presentation for it.
The word bunkai is often translated as “application”, but it’s actual meaning is closer to “analysis”. In the weeks leading up to your formal test, you (with the assistance of your Tetsudai) are expected to select a kata and examine how it could be applied in a self-defense situation. Here are some guidelines for this process…
- There is no “one right answer” – the kata is a starting point. There are many ways to interpret and apply the technique in kata.
- There are different layers of bunkai. This can range from “base-level bunkai”, which is very literal and almost identical to the technique in the kata, to bunkai that uses the concepts of the kata, while adjusting, modifying or changing some of the technique. You have the latitude to interpret the kata, but your bunkai must come from the kata. (If an evaluator asks you what part of the kata a specific part of your bunkai is from, you should be able to demonstrate the connection.)
- Bunkai must be workable. No “Puff the Magic Dragon” bunkai!
Prior to the Test