The term “budoshin” comes from bu = martial, do = way, and shin = spirit.
After Bill Fromm and I took over the Burbank YMCA program [free to YMCA members] at the request of Seki [our sensei] in the late 1960s, it became extremely popular to the extent that there was a 3-6 month wait list.
People kept asking us what style/ryu of jujitsu was being taught. Seki’s attitude was that there were no “ryu” of jujitsu – there was just jujitsu.
He was aware of our problem but steadfastly refused to allow us to use any name that included the word “ryu”. So, budoshinryu jujitsu was out. However, he was ok with budoshin jujitsu as, in this context [to conduct oneself in an honorable manner] had nothing to do with jujitsu per se. So we called it Budoshin Jujitsu.
The name has stuck over the decades, to be included in books, videos, other dojo names, etc.
So the question may be is Budoshin Jujitsu a ryu? That’s a question for someone else to answer!
How do I get my shodan [1st degree black belt] in Budoshin Jujitsu?
Once you have your BJJY membership complete the requirements for mudansha grades [below black belt] as stated in the Student Handbook, with the emphasis on technical proficiency.
Request the Black Belt Handbook when you reach the 2nd kyu Brown Belt level. Review it & make sure you can fulfill the requirements.
Send me an autobiography of yourself when you’re ready to test for Shodan and the required reference letters. Please enclose the $25/test setup fee with your autobiography & other certification requirements [first-aid, CPR, & Concussion Awareness Training].
If you have been promoted by me through the mudansha grades up through ikkyu [1st kyu brown belt] you can proceed directly to testing for shodan [1st degree black belt]. The test for shodan should simply be a formality for you at this point.
If you did NOT proceed through the kyu ranks please submit a video you can send via my Hightail dropbox] for evaluation. The video will have to contain 60 seconds of freestyle self-defense, demonstrating a knowledge of jujitsu, against random attacks by your uke, plus you will have to show all kata listed on the black belt exam for shodan. [All of this does not have to be recorded at one time.]
After viewing your comprehensive video if you have to do #5 above, I feel you have a good chance of passing the Black Belt mat exam I will inform you how to proceed.
What does successful passage of the mat test for shodan require?
At the time of testing you will be asked to demonstrate 5-10 kata and respond to 5-10 street situations your examiner has randomly selected, at the time of testing, from from the Shodan test which contains 25 different kata [techniques] plus responses for 33 different street attacks you’ve practiced and learned for the lower belt exams.
You may also have to demonstrate the ability to defend against continuous random street attacks by uke for 60 seconds.
You must also be able to demonstrate effective use of a martial arts weapon such as hanbo, jo, bo, koshi-no-bo, jutte, or any other approved martial arts weapon with an emphasis on “empty-hand” application. You may submit a valid gun-safety course certificate in lieu of one of the weapon demonstration.
All testing for black belt grades will be done “live” via Zoom. You will receive a copy of the recorded test.
What is the difference between a “kata” [technique] and response to a “street attack”?
A kata is a specific technique, such as koshi nage [hip throw] or tekubi shimi waza [wristlock technique].
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.
For the purpose of testing, kata demonstrated in the kata portion of the test may also be used in the waza portion of the test if they demonstrate an effective defense for the attack.
Do I need to demonstrate ALL of the techniques on each video for each belt rank test/evaluation?
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.
Starting at brown belt [3rd kyu] and into the dan grades you need to be able to execute all the kata and waza listed.
However, starting at brown belt, the examiner will select 5-10 kata & waza randomly from each list at the time of the actual mat test.
Starting with brown belt, the kata will be called in Japanese only. You will have to execute the kata or waza immediately.
Also, starting at brown belt [3rd kyu] and continuing through the black belt grades, all testing will be done “live” via Zoom. You will receive a copy of the recorded test.
Why don’t I need to demonstrate all of the techniques demonstrated on each video?
When I made the videos I felt this might be my only opportunity to produce a professional video series.
I also knew that most of the techniques shown in the kata section or learned for previous belt exams could also be used in the waza portion of any belt tests.
So I decided I would show additional/different techniques in the waza section so that you could have the option of learning more techniques beyond what was “basically” required.
So, if you choose to learn all of the techniques you will have a much broader background in terms of technical knowledge and self-defense skills. You may also find alternate techniques or variations that work better for you.
How long will it take me to get to Shodan?
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.
If you have a reliable & consistent training partner and can practice 3-4 or more hours per week, you may be able to secure your black belt in 2-4 years. With a related martial arts background the time period may be shortened dependent upon your skill level.
Be aware that there are no “time-in-grade” requirements below black belt. So you can progress through the kyu-level belt ranks as fast as your skill level allows.
Will the BJJY test for grades below Sankyu?
YES! You are encouraged to 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.
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. The black belt exam should really be just a formality attesting to your technical proficiency.
Effective October 1, 2021, all testing for sankyu and higher belts will be done via Zoom.
How high in rank can I go with the all of the training videos?
You can progress all the way up through godan [5th degree black belt] using the training videos and other materials [books].
Promotions beyond 5th dan are “honorary”, based on your continued growth and you willingness/ability to help others learn the art and expand the martial art.
What aspect of the art is emphasized in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu?
First, you learn effective self-defense techniques. Every technique you learn is in response to a street-type attack.
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.
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
Most other martials arts have competitions and train you for such. Japanese Jujitsu doesn’t seem to. So what’s the value of learning the art?
Japanese jujitsu is designed to teach you street-effective self-defense which is why it doesn’t function well as a competitive martial art. There would have to be too many rules for safety & those rules would negate the effectiveness of the art.
Good training in Japanese Jujitsu will make you unpredictable in a street situation. You probably won’t even know what you’re going to do
Do I need a training partner?
ABSOLUTELY — 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.
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.
Can martial arts schools or clubs join the BJJY?
Due to liability issues schools & clubs may not “officially” join the BJJY. However, individuals within a school or club may become members of the BJJY as individuals and can publicize their individual affiliation and qualifications by the BJJY
Also, if you become a BJJY black belt you’ll have easy access to securing American Ju-Jitsu Association recognition of your dojo.
Where can I find answers to other questions?
E-mail me by clicking HERE. I’ll answer most questions usually within a day or two.
