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Certification Levels & Testing

All testing for Iwama Ryu Bukiwaza Certification Levels will be be conducted in Great Gransden, Bedfordshire, near Sensei Sargeant’s home unless otherwise agreed (remote testing is available).

 

The examinees will be tested in small groups across a full day and may be expected to demonstrate additional Bukiwaza to that listed in the levels below.

 

All Bukiwaza presentations at all levels are expected to be shown as if the candidate is teaching a class of beginners. Accordingly the expectation is for slow, clear and precise movements. To show the pace at which all Bukiwaza levels should be demonstrated by submitting a film or in person, please go to any YouTube film and open ’Settings’ at the righthand edge of the screen. Open the “Playback speeds” as shown in the example. Then try to perform ALL your Aikido Bukiwaza at the speed of 0.25 and no faster than 0.5.

Presentations, either in person or via video recordings shall be considered incorrect if they are offered at demonstration or grading speed. The Bukiwaza certification levels are to validate the candidates ability to impart the Iwama weapons of Saito Sensei.

 

Shihan Sargeant will be looking to improve the very best around the globe and help enhance this who are serious about keeping Iwama weapons clear and true to what his sensei and O-Sensei gave us from the original dojo in Iwama Japan.

 

Examinees will be expected to say the names or count number of each technique before execution, in Japanese and so it can be clearly heard (in the presence of Sensei Sargeant or remote presentation/recording).

 

To form part of the ‘transmission’ process the examinees will be recorded during the testing so that they can reference their presentations and the specific details that are at the core of the techniques. The video recording will be privately published on YouTube with access restricted to examinee only.

 

Instruction will also be given by Sensei Sargeant during this period and the examinees will have opportunities to ‘polish’ their techniques in line the level’s requirements. It is strongly advised that applicants study the many videos Sensei Sargeant has published online to ensure the understand the detail, precision and standard expected for the Iwama Ryu Bukiwaza Certification Levels.

 

Upon successful testing an official certificate will be issued to the examinee.

 

 

Shodan Bukiwaza Transmission Licence – Certification Level One

Note: Each examinee will be expected to present the required forms in a slow, clear manner as if instructing a ‘beginner level’ class

 

Aiki Ken Suburi

  • Ichi-No-Suburi
  • Ni-No-Suburi
  • San-No-Suburi
  • Shi-no-Suburi
  • Go-No-Suburi
  • Roku-No-Subri
  • Shichi-No-Suburi

 

Aiki Ken Awase

  • Right blend
  • Hidari-No-Awase (Left blend)
  • Go-No-Awase (Fifth blend)
  • Shichi-No-Awase (Seventh blend)

 

Aiki Jo Suburi

  • 1 – 20 and to include 19 to 20 blend.

 

Examination Fee and Certification: £120.00 (including course fee/lunch and video recording feedback)

Remote Examination Fee and Certification: £100.00 (No physical attendance but with video recording feedback)

Click here to go to the application page

 

Nidan Bukiwaza Transmission Licence – Certification Level Two

Note: Each examinee will be expected to present the required forms in a slow, clear manner as if instructing a ‘beginner level’ class

 

Aiki Jo Ju San No Kata – 13 Count Kata

 

Aiki Jo San Ju Ichi No Kata – 31 Count Kata

 

Examination Fee and Certification: £150.00 (including course fee/lunch and video recording feedback)

Remote Examination Fee and Certification: £130.00 (No physical attendance but with video recording feedback)

Click here to go to the application page

 

 

Sandan Bukiwaza Transmission Licence – Certification Level Three

Note: Each examinee will be expected to present the required forms in a slow, clear manner as if instructing a ‘beginner level’ class

 

Aiki Ken Happo Giri

  • Eight directional cut

 

Aiki Ken Ki Musubi No Tachi (Kihon and Ki No Nagare)

 

Aiki Ken Kumi Tachi

  • 1 to 5 (Kihon and Ki No Nagare)

 

Examination Fee and Certification: £180.00 (including course fee/lunch and video recording feedback)

Remote Examination Fee and Certification: £160.00 (No physical attendance but with video recording feedback)

Click here to go to the application page

 

 

Yondan Bukiwaza Transmission Licence – Certification Level Four

Note: Each examinee will be expected to present the required forms in a slow, clear manner as if instructing a ‘beginner level’ class

 

Aiki Jo San Ju Ichi No Kumi Jo – 31 Jo Kumi Jo

  • 1 – 3
  • 4 – 6
  • 7 – 8
  • 9 – 11
  • 13 – 17
  • 18 – 22
  • 22 – 27
  • 27 – 31

 

  • 1 – 31

 

Examination Fee and Certification: £210.00 (including course fee/lunch and video recording feedback)

Remote Examination Fee and Certification: £190.00 (No physical attendance but with video recording feedback)

Click here to go to the application page

 

 

Godan Bukiwaza Transmission Licence – Certification Level Five

At the discretion of Sensei Sargeant (prior notification of qualification will be provided) but also to include any/all of the above.

The Godan Bukiwaza certification is considered to be the Menkyo Kaiden or ‘licence of total transmission’, the highest level master grade for Iwama weapons skill. Once achieved the holder is granted the ability to join the commission of examiners for Iwama Ryu Bukiwaza.

 

Examination Fee and Certification: £240.00 (including course fee/lunch and video recording feedback)

Remote Examination Fee and Certification: £220.00 (No physical attendance but with video recording feedback)

Click here to go to the application page

 

 

The following videos are offered to those wishing to learn more about the certification testing process and who may be considering applying for assessment: