• 2004: Associate membership class created
• 2005: Student Handbook revised & updated to cross reference techniques in books & videos with belt-rank requirements
• 2006: Audio evaluations can now be sent to you immediately [upon evaluation of your video - in any format listed below] as an attachment to an e-mail to you.
• 2006: Online BJJY Forum now available exclusively for BJJY members. BJJY members can post inquiries information that other members can react to. Non-members can only view site, but can't make any entries. Click here to go to the BJJY Forum. Thanks to Sensei Tony Damigo for making this happen!!
• 2006: Schools who wish to be official Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Dojo can now affiliate with the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Dojo, Inc [BJJD] for these benefits. Click here to contact G. Kirby.
• 2007: 6th edition of the Student Handbook is fully aligned with the 8-DVD series [notably in the nikyu & ikkyu sequence], a new Shichikyu [Yellow Belt] grade has been created to help retain new students, Shikyu grade is now Yonkyu grade & a Blue Belt has replaced. the Green Belt with a Yellow stripe to give the rank more visual definition. for more info.
• 2007: 3rd edition of the Black Belt Handbook is released with with specific criteriria up through Godan [5th degree] and more guidance on 6th-10th degree promotional criteria.

1. Secure membership in the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai [BJJY].
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 for $20 per tape once you get beyond the two free video evaluations per year if you have a regular membership. Contact the BJJY for testing details before you send a belt test video.
3. Request the Black Belt Handbook when you reach the 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 [so I can get to know you as a person] as well as the required reference letters. Also, request information on the specific testing process and testing/evaluation fees.
5. Submit a VHS, VHS-C or 8mm videotape [NTSC format], CD or DVD for evaluation. [You get two free video evaluations per year if you have a regular membership; 1/year with associate membership. For Sankyu & higher grades the tape should have a freestyle kata portion  followed by a demonstration of all the kata & waza appropriate to the belt level you hope to secure. [Keep the original video & send me a copy.]  I will send you an audio evaluation [e-mail attachment to you 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. Although testing in person is preferred, the mat testing can be done by video. Keep in mind that there also is a written exam for all brown and black belt grades that must be satisfactorily completed prior to mat testing. The testing fee is $20 for brown belt and $25 for black belt grades. If you choose to test via electronic medium [VHS, VHS-C, 8mm [all NTSC format only] or by CD or DVD, there is an additional $25 fee per mat test video.

1. According to the 8 video DVDs there are 92 techniques [many variations not included] not including doing things left-handed.
2. According to the "Big Book" there are over 850 techniques variations in the budoshin system -- including doing many of them left handed, in sutemi waza, on the ground, etc.
3. 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 the defensive tool demonstration.

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 4-7 years to achieve the competence necessary to test for Shodan.

1. While the BJJY will evaluate & review videos submitted by lower grade yudansha for the purpose of indicating growth and progress, there is no formal testing for grades below Sankyu beyond submitting an evaluation video based upon belt requirements specified in the Student Handbook. If your skill level is adequate for promotion then a BJJY Certificate of Promotion will be issued to you at no charge.
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.
3. The major reason for no formal testing below Sankyu is that most major Ju-Jitsu organizations aren't concerned with your rank below Sankyu. No one will ask for a certificate of rank because these are lower level learning grades. However, if you claim a Sankyu or higher grade a legitimate & responsible sensei will have the right to see a certificate of promotion to that grade or higher as well as know what the requirements for your promotion were.
4. As a result testing for Sankyu and higher grades is a more formal process. If you have not been evaluated for lower kyu grades by the BJJY an evaluation tape prior to the formal testing for sankyu will be required. There is also a short answer test for Sankyu-Ikkyu grades and an open-ended essay test for all dan grade testing.

1. While the DVDs formally go 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. Higher grades require additional training & seminars.

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 &  mechanics behind each move. Budoshin Ju-Jitsu is a combination of Judo, Karate, and Aikido.
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.

1. Yes you do. 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 secure an "associate" membership if he/she is also interested in being tested and securing promotions in the art.

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.
2. Starting in 2006, schools & clubs with a Budoshin Ju-Jitsu sensei, may also affiliate with the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Dojo, Inc [BJJD]. This will allow those schools to officially say they are teaching Budoshin Ju-Jitsu officially, use BJJD instructional &testing materials, and officially display the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu logo indicating their dojo is officially affiliated with the BJJD. There is a minimal annual calendar-year fee for affiliation, which also includes the affiliated dojo's AJA dojo fee. Contact George Kirby for additional information.

1. They aren't in the DVD series. The Yellow Belt requirements cover really basic moves that are mainly excerpted from the Green Belt requirements plus a few really simple throws. We tried using this belt requirement in my dojo to see if it helped retain beginning students, rather than starting them at the Green Belt level, and it seems to be working.
2. As far as the BJJY Home Study Course is concerned you should start at the Green Belt [6th kyu] level. You will have learned everything cover in the Yellow Belt requirements by the time you get to Purple Belt [4th kyu].

1. E-mail me. I'll answer most general questions & an occasional technical question dealing with the DVDs, even if you aren't a BJJY member. BJJY members' questions [whether technical or general] are ALWAYS answered in a timely manner [usually within a couple of days].
2. All questions [unless private] are published in Kokoro, our periodic newsletter [4-8 issues/year] for mailing to all BJJY members. In addition, you can click here to go to the Kokoro page, which has Q&As for the past 1-2 years posted online.
3. Current BJJY members can purchase all past issues of Kokoro, at cost of printing, which contains all questions asked of me since the BJJY began in 1994 and answers to those questions. Go to the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Store to purchase this item.
4. Non-BJJY members can purchase all past copies of Kokoro at it's full price. Go to the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Store to purchase this item.

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