RANKS

TOSHINDO NINJUTSU RANKS

The ranking system used in Toshindo Ninjutsu follows the ancient Go-Shin, or 5 elemental, process that our founder, An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes, discovered while practicing ninjutsu in Japan and Tibetan Buddhism under his Holiness, The Dali Lama. Each element contains 5 different coloured belt ranks

The Ranking system typically used in Japanese and Korean martial arts comes from the founding of Judo by Shoman Jigoro Kano. Jigoro Kano needed a way to identify what his students needed to work on as well as provide a means to motivate his students and quantify his techniques into a tangible learning system that suited Japans hierarchical culture. This was later adopted by all martial arts in Japan, including Karate, Akido, Jujutsu and then Togakure ryu Ninjutsu by Soke Toshitsugu Takamatsu.

Earth

The Earth (Chi) level is the very first level taught to a new student. At this level, we teach you how to have good balance and strong in the face of danger while providing you with the most simple and practical techniques. The most important techniques are taught first! Earth training on average, takes 1 year.

Water

The Water (Sui) level is the 2nd level you can earn after 1 year of training in the earth level. Water teaches you how to tactically angle or evade attacks that might come from a bigger and stronger opponent. The wrist locks, arm bars and knife defences are taught at this level.

Fire

The Fire (Ka) level is the 3rd level you can earn after 2 years of water and earth training. Fire teaches you how to be brave and connected when facing an attacker. Iconically the more samurai, jujutsu like moves are taught in fire such as the big throws.

Wind

The Wind (Fu) level is the 4th level you can earn after 3 years of training in the earth, water, and fire. The wind movement is described as ‘ghost like’ in battle. Wind teaches you how to let go of all senses of strength and use the attacker’s energy against him in devastating counter throws, wrist locks, arm locks and torso flips.

Void

The Void (Ku) level is the 5th and last element you can learn after 4 years of training in earth, water, fire and wind elements. The void element is considered the ‘secret 5th element”; it is the gravity that binds earth, water, fire and wind together. After experiencing the styles of the previous 4 elements, it is where ‘your fighting style’ begins to manifest before the Shodan test…

Shodan

In Western martial culture, the ‘Black Belt’ is considered the last and highest rank one can acquire. This is not the case. Shodan (‘The basic grade’ or ‘first steps’ or ‘first grade’ or ‘first degree black belt) is the beginning of true martial mastery, where you study Advanced Earth and the secret essence of ‘Rin’. Black belt is only acquired after a minimum of 5 years of training and by passing the Shodan Test.

Nidan

Nidan (‘second grade’ or ‘second step’ or ‘second degree black belt’) is the second belt you can acquire after intense study of the Shodan curriculum and passing of the Nidan Test. Nidan takes 7-8 years of study to acquire and it is where you learn Advanced Water and the secret essence of ‘Pyo’.

Sandan

Sandan (‘the third step’ or ‘third degree bronze belt) is a particularly rare rank to come across in the martial arts. Characterized in Toshindo as the first ‘Bronze’ belt, this rank takes 10-12 years to acquire. Those who pass the Sandan Test acquire their ‘bu-go name’ an ancient practice in old Japanese martial arts where the student is given a Japanese name to symbolize their growth as a human being. Students begin to learn Advance Fire and the secret essence of ‘Toh’. It is the rank that Head Instructor Matthew Antoshi McCracken is currently holding.

Yondan

Yondan (‘the forth steps’ or ‘forth degree bronze belt) is the second Bronze belt one can acquire after 12-15 years of intense study. A student that manages to get this high in Toshindo will begin to learn Advance Wind and the secret essence of ‘Sha’. It is a rank that Head Instructor Ron Eitoshi Day is currently

Godan

Godan (‘the fifth step’ or ‘fifth degree silver belt) is the first ‘Silver’ belt you can acquire in Toshindo after studying for 15-20 years. Fifth degree black belt practitionars are considered ‘Shi-han’ or ‘Master Instructor’ and is where one learns Advanced Void. In the past during Stephen K. Hayes training in Japan, fifth degree black belt was called Godan-Ni-Jo, or 'beyond fifth degree' because there were so may techniqes and lessons in Ninjutsu that it could not be quantified into a tangible rank system.

Rokudan

Rokudan (‘the sixth step’ or ‘sixth degree silver belt’) is an incredibly high rank one can earn in Toshindo, taking a minimum of 20 years of study.

Nanadan

Nanadan (‘the seventh step’ or ‘seventh degree gold belt’) is considered among Toshindo to be a very prestigious rank that takes 26-30 years to acquire. Holders of Nanadan are unique individuals that have contributed to the further development of Toshindo and are considered a ‘Han-shi’ or Senior Master’ .’Holders of this rank include Bryan Toutoshi Griffin, Scott Akitoshi Bragg, Sensei Ron Eitoshi

Hachidan

Hachidan (the eighth step’ or ‘eigth degree gold belt’) takes 30-38 years to acquire. These people are considered a ‘Mei-jin’ a person that has truly become their own unique martial artist. A notable holder of this rank is Dennis Fuutoshi Mahoney and James Kentoshi Norris.

Kudan

Kudan (‘the ninth step’ or ‘ninth degree gold belt’) is the highest rank a person in Toshindo has ever achieved in its history. Acquired after lifelong dedication to the art, only one has ever achieved it and his name is Mark Sentoshi Russo.

White Belt

Yellow White Belt

Blue White Belt

Red White Belt

Green White Belt

Brown White Belt

Shoden Black Belt

JUTSU'S

The term 'Jutsu' main translation is 'method' or 'art' or ''technique'. Jutsu also has some more indepth meanings such as 'trick' , 'trap', 'plot' and even 'magic'. There are many 'jutsu's' that existed, not all relating to combat, martial arts or war. Toshindo offers many Jutsu studies through the 9 nine martial arts schools that make up Toshindo Ninjutsu. Here are some examples:

Ninjutsu ('The Ninja Method of Combat' or 'The Method of Enduring')
Jujutsu ('The flexable/soft Method')
Go-shin Taijutsu ('5 Element Body Combat')
Kenjutsu (' The Sword Method')
Bojutsu ('The Staff Method')
Shurikenjutsu ('The Hand Hidden Blade method')
Kosshijutsu ('The Muscle Attacking method')
Koppojutsu ('The Bond Breaking method')
Dakenjutsu ('The Method of using the Whole Body as a weapon')
Happo Bikenjutsu ('The 8 Secret method')
Hanbojutsu (' The Half Staff method')
Kasurai Fundojutsu (The Short Chain fighting method')
Kasuraikamajutsu (The Sythe and Sickle Technique')
Naginatajutsu ('The Halberd Technique')
Sojutsu ('Spear Techniques')