BLACK BELT WRITTEN TEST

 

Candidates for Sho-dan 1st Degree Black Belt in To-Shin Do should be prepared to pass successfully the written tests for Levels 1-3!

Level 1 "Foundations of Self-Protection" Graduation Test

Questions based on text of Enlightened Self-Protection

"MOUNTAINS OF STRENGTH " - EARTH ELEMENT GROUND HOLDING

• What is the name of the martial art we are studying? Can you pronounce it properly?

• What is one positive difference you have experienced in life since beginning this martial art?
  ... or… Kids, what's your favorite part of our martial arts training?

• What are the meanings of the 3 words that make up the name of the martial art we are studying?

• What is one deliberate change you have made to bring more security and good qualities to daily life since beginning martial arts?
  ... or… Kids, what's one thing you've changed to be an even better person?

• What is the name of the historical martial art on which our training is based, and what is its original country?

• Why is martial arts success difficult without an honest agreement with the 3 parts of the Student Creed?

 

Level 2 "Advanced Self-Protection" Graduation Test

Questions based on text of Enlightened Self-Protection

"WAVES OF POWER" - WATER ELEMENT STRATEGIC ANGLING

• What is the name of the American founder of the martial art we are studying?
  What is his teacher's name?

• How do you describe “water” response as a technical strategy?
  ... or... Kids, what does “water” defense feel like?

• Describe the “5D” five stages of defensive technique

• What is one important thing you have learned about how to win in life from studying “water” defense?

• Describe the "6 Phases of Progression" for dealing with danger

• Why is the 14-Point Code of Mindful Action so important for training in heroic protector martial arts?

 

"LIGHTNING STRIKES" - FIRE ELEMENT INTERCEPTION

• What are the colors of the To-Shin Do belt ranks?

• How do you describe “fire” element as a technical strategy?
  ... or ... Kids, what does “fire” defense feel like?

• What are the 3 crucial conditions that legally justify physical self-defense under most USA state laws?

• What is one important thing you have learned about how to win in life from studying “fire” defense?

• Why did the martial techniques of the ninja develop differently from those of the samurai in Japan?

• What are the reasons you have chosen to train in To-Shin Do instead of another martial art?

 

Level 3 "Martial Path of the Protector" Graduation to 1st Degree Black Belt

Questions based on text of Art of the Invisible Warrior

"EYE OF THE STORM" - WIND ELEMENT EVASIVE CAPTURE

(More test questions coming soon...)

• How do you describe “wind” evasion as a technical strategy?
  ... or... Kids, what does “wind” defense feel like?

• What is one important thing you have learned about winning in life from studying "wind" defense

• Think about all the important considerations that you remember from your teachers' coaching for making the techniques you have studied more likely to be effective in real world self-protection

• Be sure you know what the phrase, Shi-kin Ha-ra-mitsu Dai-ko-myo means in English.

• Think about the greatest benefit you feel that you have received as a result of working towards your Black Belt in the martial arts

• Why do you think that you should receive a Black Belt?

 

"Masters Club" Graduation to 2nd Degree Black Belt

Questions based on text of Ninja Vol. 1 - 5 book series

• Investigate why Asian martial art traditions seem to place so much importance on revering a long line of past masters in the history leading up to your position as a student in the current generation.

• Investigate the importance of Ma-ai "interval" in time and space as a concept in conflict.

• Investigate the importance of Naga-re "flow" from one technique moment to the next as a concept in conflict.

• Investigate the importance of Kuzu-shi "balance taking" as a concept in conflict.

• Think about all the personal growth challenges you have faced and overcome as a result of your training in the martial arts. What was the greatest obstacle you overcame?

 

"Masters Club" Graduation to 3rd Degree Black-BRONZE Belt

Questions based on text of Ninja Vol. 1 - 5 book series

(Test questions coming soon...)

 

 

"Masters Club" Graduation to 4th Degree Black-Bronze Belt

Questions based on study of Kuki Shinden Ryu Hap-po Bi-ken "Secrets of the Sword"

From your own experience, or a story you heard, or at least a movie or novel scene, describe nine examples of how the "Nine Secrets of the Sword" kata could be used to take charge of conflict in the daily activity of your life. Look for examples of these nine strategies in situations other than physical fighting. Your description of nine examples should be submitted to your instructor in essay form, with one paragraph for each principle, and e-mail a copy of your essay to the To-Shin Do Central Training Headquarters at daytonquest@skhquest.com as an attachment document.