Requirements For Godan

Godan Eligibility Requirements

1. Promotion to Godan will be made at the discretion of the Board of Professors.
2. Upon completing the requirements outlined below, the candidate's name would be placed on an eligibility list, from which list promotions would be considered.
3. Considerations:
   1. Be able to demonstrate the main principles of the Okazaki system of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, and should know the system well enough to be able to efficiently teach all of the arts.
   2. Be so dedicated to the Okazaki system that they will endeavor to develop and promote Danzan Ryu, rather than their own or some other system.
   3. Be willing to serve others, but also seek opportunities to be of service to others.
   4. Meet the standards of Ethics as set forth in the document Code of Conduct and Procedures for Conflict Resolution.
4. Process for being named to the Godan Eligibility List:
   1. The candidate should select an advisor, who may be candidate's Sensei, if the Sensei is a Professor. The candidate may select any active Professor who is willing to serve as advisor. The advisor selection must be made before any other steps toward eligibility are taken.
   2. Attain a "Technical Competency Certificate"
      1. To be undertaken after at least four years as a Yodan (For promotion to Godan, however, the requirement remains of a minimum of five years as a Yodan)
      2. This is not intended as a rank examination for Godan, it is a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate's martial arts skills and knowledge.
      3. The candidate's advisor and three other active Professors must certify that they believe that this candidate possesses the following skills, knowledge and abilities at a level consistent with the rank of Godan:
         1. The ability to demonstrate, teach, explain, and elucidate upon the core knowledge of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu as taught by the AJJF:
            • Yawara, Goshin Jitsu, Nage, Shime, Oku, Shinin, Shinyo
            • Rolls and Falls
            • Blocks, Kicks, Strikes
            • Tanto, Tanju, Yawara Stick
            • Counters, Variations, Combinations and Self Defense Applications of this List
            • Any other skills the Board of Professors, the candidate's advisor or the exam committee feel are appropriate for the candidate.
   3. The exam committee is to be picked as follows:
      1. Three of the members of the committee are picked by the candidate and the advisor, of which the advisor may be one of the three.
      2. The fourth examiner is to be appointed by the Board of Professors.
   4. The evaluation of the candidate's abilities may be accomplished in any manner acceptable to the members of the committee. This does not have to be a formal examination, per se.
      1. Ideally, each member of the committee would set a time for the candidate to demonstrate whatever skills they wish to see. This could be at clinics, classes, tests, visits to candidate's dojo, or in any way the candidate and committee member can agree upon.
      2. It is not necessary for all of the committee members to agree at the same time that a candidate has satisfied the evaluation of the candidate's abilities. It is necessary that all committee members agree eventually, to the candidate's technical competency.
   5. Demonstrate competency of Okazaki Restorative (LongLife) Massage.
      1. Holding a certification from the AJJF Massage Program satisfies this requirement.
      2. Lacking 4.e.1 above, one of the Professor members of the Massage Standards Committee may approve equivalent knowledge, and certify in writing to Board of Professors the candidate's competency.
   6. Demonstrate competency in Katsu, sports medicine, manipulation and Seifukujitsu.
   7. Complete a project approved by his/her advisor and a project committee, to demonstrate areas of expertise and thereby further the AJJF, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu and the martial arts in general.
      1. Project can be undertaken after a minimum of four years as an active and registered AJJF Yodan.
      2. Samples:
         • Service to the AJJF, such as holding national or regional office for a period of time.
         • Research project.
         • Teach clinics in a special area of expertise.
         • Develop a program of interest, with the advice of the advisor.
      3. The project must be approved by the advisor and a project committee.
         1. Members of the project committee will be three Professors. One member must be the advisor. The other two may be any active Professors who agree to serve. At least one member must not have been on the technical competency committee.
         2. The committee must approve the proposed project.
         3. Candidate completes the project, with the guidance of the advisor, and submits the completed project or documentation of service, or whatever necessary, to the committee for acceptance.
   8. Accumulate a minimum of 200 points on the Godan Promotion Score Sheet.
   9. After demonstrating to the advisor mastery of the core curriculum of Danzan Ryu, and demonstrating a high level of trustworthiness, the Senior Professor or designee will introduce the candidate to the arts of Shingin no Maki.

GODAN PROMOTION SCORE SHEET

Examinee: _______________________________      Advisor:_______________________________
 
Date Completed:  ____________________
 
1.  Time In Grade                       Score ________
     (25 points minimum  -  50 points maximum)
 
 School head, while a Yodan 5   points per year
 Non-school head, while a Yodan 3   points per year
 
 
2.  Clinic Participation                Score ________
     (25 points minimum  -  50 points maximum)
 
 Attendance at National Convention 3   points
 Attendance at regional or national clinic 2   points per day 
 Attendance at a residential camp 3   points per 24 hour-day
 Attendance at non-AJJF clinics 1   point per day
 Organizing a national convention 15 points
 Organizing a regional or national clinic 3   points
 Organizing a residential camp of 5 days or more 10 points
 Teaching a class at a convention or clinic 1   point for each class 
 
 
3.  Contest Participation               Score ________
     (25 points minimum  -  40 points maximum)
 
 Participating as a contestant in a Kata or Freestyle Contest as a Yodan    15 points
 
 Participating as a contestant in a Judo Contest as a Yodan                 10 points 
 
 Organizing and running a Kata, Freestyle, or Judo Contest as a Yodan       10 points 
 
 Serving as an official at a Contest                                         2 points/tournament
 
 Coaching students to participate in a Judo or Jujitsu Contest               2 points/tournament
 
4.  Service to the AJJF                 Score ________
     (10 points required -  up to 40 points accepted)
 
 Serving as a member of the Operations Committee as a National Manager or

                                                      Committee Chair        3 points/year 
 Serving as a Regional Manager                                               2 points/year
 Serving as a Regional or Area Officer                                       1 point/year
 Serving as Instructor in the AJJF Massage Program                           2 points/course
 Serving as an Examiner                                                      1 point/exam
 Serving as an uke for examination                                           1 point/exam
 
5.  Professional Development            Score ________
       Activities and Education that enhance the candidate's teaching and  
      leadership abilities, promote Danzan Ryu and/or aid the AJJF.
 
     (25 points minimum  -  85 points maximum)
 
 Study of other martial arts                                           up to 3 points/year 
               (depending on level of involvement)
 
 Licensure or Certification as one of the following health care professionals:
  Physician  (M.D., D.O., or D.C.)                                          25 points
  Acupuncturist  (Dipl. Ac NCCA or state licensed)                          25 points
  Licensed Physical Therapist                                               25 points
  Registered Nurse                                                          15 points
  Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse                                    10 points
  Licensed EMT                                                               5 points
 
 Obtaining a state issued teaching credential:
  In Physical Education                                                     15 points
  In other disciplines                                                      10 points
 
 Holding a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited College 
 or University                                                              10 points
 
 Holding a Master's Degree in an area that increases,
 complements or enhances one's understanding of martial
 arts, healing, or interpersonal relations.                                 10 points
 
 Having an appropriate article published in a martial arts, 
 publication other than the Kiai Echo.                                       5 points each 
 
 Having article published in the Kiai Echo                                   1 point each
 
 Putting on a public demonstration                                           1 point each
 
The candidate is encouraged to find other subjects for consideration, 
 that contribute to their professional development.
 Additional activities will be evaluated and scored individually. 

Contacts

• Senior Professor
• Board of Professors
• Chair of Examinations Committee - regarding exam procedures
• Central Office - regarding Time-In-Grade letter and forms

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