Examinations

General

Shintaido examinations are held with the rigor and formality that is characteristic of most traditional martial arts: throughout the ceremony, strong concentration and particular attention to etiquette is requested not only from the the examinees, but also from all who are present. More than anything, however, Shintaido examinees are expected to burst into their fullest expression and to give themselves completely to their demonstration. While technical mastery of the forms is essential for promotion, the strong commitment to active expression is a far more important quality that must be demonstrated at any rank.

Format

Examinations often take place during a gasshuku or other special event. Examinations may also be scheduled as a stand alone event. An examinee has applied for a specific rank and appears before an examination jury to perform the required techniques, which are called out by the goreisha. The latter directs the procedure of the examination and serves as a facilitator between the examinee and the jury, which may require the presence of at least one general instructor, in addition to one or several senior instructors. The jury may ask to see the examinee demonstrate techniques that lie beyond the scope of the requested rank. Exams in several disciplines may be taken consecutively.

Requirements

Links for exam criteria can be found on the SoA Curriculum page.

Following is a table describing eligibility and necessary examiners for each rank.

DISCIPLINERANK CHALLENGEDINTERVAL
BETWEEN
EXAMS
NECESSARY EXAMINERS
OPEN HANDInstructor 1 year Two General Instructors
Graduate 1 year One General Instructor OR
Two Senior Instructors
AssistantTwo Instructors
Advanced StudentTwo Instructors
KARATE2nd-dan1 yearTwo 4th-dan holders
1st-dan1 yearOne 4th-dan holder OR Two 3rd-dan holders
1-kyu & belowTwo 2nd-dan holders
BOJUTSU2nd-dan1 yearTwo 4th-dan holders
1st-dan1 yearOne 4th-dan holder OR Two 3rd-dan holders
1-kyu & belowTwo 2nd-dan holders
KENJUTSU2nd-dan1 yearTwo 4th-dan holders
1st-dan1 yearOne 4th-dan holder OR Two 3rd-dan holders

Registration and other forms:

Exam Registration: All students challenging for an exam needs to fill out this form:
     SoA Exam Registration Form

Shintaido Assistant Level: Fill out this form in addition to filling out the registration.
     Application – Assistant Level

Shintaido Graduate Level: Fill out this form in addition to filling out the registration.
     Application – Graduate Level


SoA Exam Fee Structure as of January 2019

You must be a fully paid member of SoA to take an exam.
Pay Membership Dues here – Choose “Shintaido of America Membership”

Bo, Karate and Kenjutsu10 kyu – 6 kyu$30
 5 kyu – 1 kyu$40
 Shodan$150
 Nidan$200
ShintaidoAdvanced Student$40
 Assistant$40
 Graduate$150
 Instructor$200

Graduate/Shodan and Instructor/Nidan exam fees include an SoA Examination Licensing/Diploma Fee (one-time fee paid after passing an exam) of $50 for Graduate/Shodan and $100 for Instructors/Nidan. If the examinee does not pass, the appropriate diploma fee is refunded. Above Nidan and Instructor, licensing fees are handled directly by the International Shintaido Project (ISP).

Bo, Karate and KenjutsuShodan$50
 Nidan$100
ShintaidoGraduate$50
 Instructor$100

Pay Exam Fee + Diploma Fee – Choose “Shintaido of America Exam Fees”.
      Enter the combined amount of the Examination Fee & the Diploma Fee

Other Resources