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The instructor: Robert Tierney
Rank: 3rd Dan (Sandan)
Age: 38 Year
Black-belt achieved: (Genbukan) 2002
Years training: Genbukan 10; martial arts 24
Robert, what do you think a Black-belt grading should aim to achieve and instill in the student?
It should aim to instill a sense of achieving success through applied self-discipline. There are many emotions that come with achieving success in sport and I believe people who achieve high levels in sport should enjoy the adulation of the moment, because they have earned it. But when the emotions of success fade away, students should feel they have the personal strength and self-discipline to face a challenge and succeed. Hopefully, this will lead to the student wanting to continue to train hard and continue practising the art of self-discipline. The positive side-effect of self-discipline on the rest of your life is handy, too.
What does your Black-belt grading involve, who grades the participants and how long does it go for?
All Shodan [1st Dan] tests take between 45-minutes and an hour to complete and only a 3rd Dan or above can grade the Shodan test. The student testing for Black-belt performs their 36 techniques with a training partner, who delivers set-pattern but full-pace attacks. A student is graded on their technical skill, form and focus. But most importantly, to be a Shodan, students must demonstrate their ability to physically affect their training partner when blocking, striking, grappling or throwing. The training partner for a Shodan test is always someone of similar skill level, as they know how to fall safely when thrown and tap out when grappling moves take painful effect. The striking of pressure points is also very important and when contacted correctly, it is easy to see. The student finds out at the end of the test if they have passed - obviously, if they attempt the test and are permitted to finish, it is likely they have passed. Tests can be stopped if a student proves to be having trouble demonstrating effective technique, but this is rare.
Do the grading requirements focus more on the physical, and if so, are you looking mainly for an indication of effective self-defence skills or proof of the spiritual and disciplinary outcomes of the students' training?
The Genbukan Shodan grading is very physical and the aim is to demonstrate effective martial arts skill. The higher the level of martial art skill a student demonstrates does indicate a higher level of discipline.
Are injuries common in the Shodan grading?
Injuries can occur but serious injuries are extremely rare. Most students are conditioned for the test, which reduces the risk of injury. Reducing the risk of injury is another reason training partners for the Shodan test are of similar skill levels. However, bruising during a Shodan test is almost certain.
How do you think your Black-belt level and grading compares to other schools'?
Nanzan Dojo Brisbane Black-belts are high-quality martial artists and across the Genbukan, the level of skill among Black-belts is similar. Our style of ninjutsu has a very structured syllabus that promotes incremental development. Nanzan Dojo Brisbane follows Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura's syllabus, which contains approximately 450 basic techniques, with some additional variations. A student will be capable of performing 500 techniques by the time they can be graded Shodan. I don't know how we compare to other schools, but I do know that we train hard.
Is your school's Black-belt grading as difficult or punishing as your own was?
Genbukan ninjutsu's Shodan test is a physically arduous test of martial arts skill that can go for about an hour. Nanzan Dojo Brisbane students are and will always be tested in the same way I was. As a matter of fact, the only Nanzan Dojo student to have taken the Shodan test so far did so in Japan in 2007. On 10 and 11 July 2010, three more 1st Kyu students will take their Shodan Black-belt test at the Genbukan Kobudo Taikai in Brisbane. Their tests will be reviewed by Shihan Roy Ron, 8th Dan, from Japan.
Where does the syllabus come from and who designed it?
The Genbukan training syllabus originated in Japan and was designed by Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura. Kyu-level techniques start with simple movements such as evasion, blocking, punching, kicking and grappling. As a student grows in knowledge, ability and confidence, more complex movements are introduced to their training, such as complex grappling, throws and counter-throws. Dan-level techniques vary in complexity but most involve multiple movements. All Genbukan Dan-level techniques are drawn from various ninpo taijutsu ryu-ha (traditional martial arts systems).
Are you looking to refine or add to your Black-belt syllabus or training at all?
I have no intention of changing the highly effective Genbukan Shodan syllabus, which contains 36 techniques designed by Grandmaster Tanemura, with six daken-taijutsu (blocking and striking), six koppo-jutsu (bone-smashing) and six kosshi-jutsu (muscle-smashing) techniques. A student must demonstrate their ability to effectively perform these techniques to pass their Black-belt test.
How many other ranks/belts must be earned before and after Black-belt?
The Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation uses the Japanese ranking system, with ranks from 10th Kyu to 10th Dan. Beginners are at the rank of 10th Kyu and on successful completion of their first check test (grading) they achieve the rank of 9th Kyu. There are nine check tests (9th Kyu to 1st Kyu) before a student commences training for their Shodan.
So, what level of achievement does the Black-belt represent, and does instructor-student contact and further learning then slow down afterwards?
Passing the Shodan test in the Genbukan is like graduating from primary school; there are two more levels of study to go. After Shodan, students continue on the Dan-grading path (like secondary school) and at 3rd Dan, students can begin ryu-ha training (like tertiary school). Graduate tertiary school, and you are a martial arts master! In Nanzan Dojo the highest-ranked Genbukan instructor is 3rd Dan, and senior students are encouraged to travel to Japan for training, but current Kyu-level students should be able to continue along the Genbukan path to high Dan levels before they need to travel to Japan. Having said that, training in the country of your martial art's origin is a great experience everyone should have at least once.
Can your students become instructors after earning their Black-belt, or can they instruct before that stage?
Genbukan ninjutsu students are generally considered instructors once they have reached 1st Dan (Shodan) Black-belt. Students may have the opportunity to perform in assistant-instructor roles prior to Shodan if they are over the rank of 3rd Kyu, which is three levels below Black-belt. Instructor courses are also available to students that can train in Japan. The instructor courses ensure high technical standards internationally within the Genbukan organisation, and students can do these courses after each Dan rank is obtained.
How many students (of those who join) make it to Black-belt, and how long does it take them?
Nanzan Dojo Brisbane only has one student who has passed the Shodan test, but we have three more just about ready and another four not far behind them. As a teacher, I am very proud of their continued focus and effort, as it will have taken most of them around four years to reach the Shodan test.
What is the success rate among students who attempt the Black-belt grading?
Genbukan ninjutsu students only ever take a grade test when they are ready, therefore we have a 100-per-cent success rate. Being ‘ready' is a subjective assessment by the teacher, but it has worked well for centuries and continues to do so. Students take between six months and two years to prepare themselves for a Shodan test. Importantly, in the Genbukan, instructors are responsible for their students' development and producing poor quality Black-belts affects the instructor's standing and their progress in the organisation. This benefits students to know that their development directly affects their instructor's progression, which should ensure the best possible instruction.
So how many students do you promote to Black-belt each year?
We promote as many as are ready. There is no quota, as it takes about three-to-four years to be ready for a Shodan test. We are a young dojo, having just had our 10th birthday, and by the end of the year we hope to have about six people at Black-belt or above.
What should a Black-belt mean to the student?
A Black-belt should mean a student has mastered the basics and they should feel like they have just finished their apprenticeship. Black-belt students should feel they are ready and confident to learn more technically difficult techniques.
Is Black-belt as important a milestone as it is generally seen to be?
In the Genbukan a Black-belt is a very important milestone. Students devote their precious time to learning and practising the skills in each grade leading to Shodan and again when preparing for the Shodan test itself, so of course they should see it as extremely important.
The Student: Myles Cavill
Rank: 1st Dan Black-belt
Age: 39 Year
Black-belt achieved: 2007
Years training: 7
Myles, what do you think a Black-belt test should look for in the student?
Excellent technical skill, strong focus and the appropriate attitude.
How do you think your Black-belt rates against those of other schools in terms of the skill and effort required to achieve it?
I'm not in a position to comment on other schools, but I think to achieve a Black-belt in Genbukan requires a high level of skill, focus and persistence.
Is Black-belt as important a milestone as it is generally seen to be?
I think the Black-belt is an important milestone, but certainly not the last.
Did earning your Black-belt change you?
The Black-belt was a major goal for me, so achieving it boosted my confidence and self-esteem. As with most big goals, the changes happen in the process of working towards it. So in the process of working towards the Black-belt, I improved in skill, confidence and conditioning.
So you feel you earned your Black-belt?
Yes, I feel I earned my Black-belt. I trained hard, I followed the directions and feedback from my teacher and I put everything into my Black-belt grading. I performed to the best of my ability and, I think, demonstrated a high level of technical skill and zanshin (focus).
Was the process difficult? How does it rate among the hardest things you've done?
The process was challenging but I would not say it was among the hardest things I have done because I enjoy training. I enjoy doing this martial art, even under grading pressure, I had fantastic support from my teacher and the other students, and travelling to Japan to train under the Grandmaster and Shihan was amazing.
For how long and how often had you been training before you got your Black-belt?
It was approximately seven years from start of training to achieving Black-belt. For most of that time I was only training once or twice per week. I trained three times per week at class plus other solo training for the year leading up to my Black-belt grading.
In your opinion, could the Black-belt syllabus or the method by which the belt is achieved be altered or improved in any way?
I think the syllabus and method for achieving the Black-belt in Genbukan is excellent. I consider all the Kyu-levels leading up to Black-belt to be part of the method of achieving Black-belt. The curriculum is broken into appropriate amounts of information and levels of difficulty for each Kyu- level, which then forms the basis for the Black-belt kata.
What, essentially, does the Black-belt represent to you?
The Black-belt represents that I have an understanding and ability to perform the fundamental techniques. The more I train and learn, the more I am aware of how much I do not know and how much there is still to learn. It is a start to an exciting journey.
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