My Shodan (Black Belt) Test

[scooterdoug]

Hello all,

Here is a very different sort of TR. As some of you might know, I train in a martial art called Aikido (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido). About a month ago, I finally took my black belt test. It was brutal, clocking in at about 2 hours. But, all that hard work and training paid off...I am now a black belt! I thought I'd share some pictures and videos of my test. The test was arranged in this order:

1. Suwariwaza (techniques from kneeling)

2. Taichiwaza (techniques from standing)

3. Variations (demonstrating multiple techniques from the same attack)

4. Henkawaza ("change" technique...performing one technique, having your partner lock you out, and changing the technique in response).

5. Hamni Handachi (I'm kneeling, attacker is standing)

6. Ken (sword vs. sword...wooden swords, or "bokken" are used)

7. Tachidori (sword take-aways)

8. Jo (staff vs. staff)

9. Jodori (staff take-aways)

10. Tantodori (knife take-away...a wooden knife, or "tanto" is used)

11. Jiyuwaza (literally "freestyle"...your partner attacks with a variety of attacks, and you have to respond appropriately...no set techniques).

12. Randori (like jiyuwaza, but with multiple attackers)

 

Photos are a sampling of the different parts of the test. I sorted through many blurry photos and picked my favorite dozen. Videos are of jiyuwaza and randori. My technique looks somewhat sloppy in those videos. This is because these parts come at the very end of the test, after close to 2 hours of grueling physical display. You're utterly exhausted, and everyone ends up getting "tied up" during the randori.

 

So, I hope you enjoy the photos and video. It seems very appropriate to post this now, as this is a Japanese martial art and TPR just finished their Japan trip. Enjoy, and domo arigato!

 

-Doug "I'm lucky that test didn't kill me!" Heim

 

 

This first video is my jiyuwaza. Though I was pretty tired by this point, I still managed to keep my form pretty clean.

 

This second video is my randori. At this point, I was more tired than I have ever felt in my life. That is why my opponents manage to cluster around me and hang on.

Technique from kneeling. Please forgive the blurriness, my camera is not that great at capturing motion.

Traditional pin from kneeling.

Taking him down for a pin.

Throwing my opponent in a technique called "kotegashi".

Throwing my opponent "kokyunage".

Ready for samurai battle...

Sword fight!

Taking the sword from my opponent after an attack.

Staff vs. Staff.

Back off!!!

I'm quicker.

Knife disarming.

This is what happens when you try to kick me.

I began my 3rd randori with 4 attackers already grabbing me. Somehow, I managed to break free.

[downunder]

Great work. Aikido looks so bada$$, isn't that what Steven Seagal does?

 

My Shodan grading in Shotokan Karate was behind closed doors (all Dan gradings are), and what will happen in the grading is not disclosed - we did Kumite last, which gets quite nasty (all the Black Belts in attendance try beating the s*** out of you). Post grading I was glad about some things:

 

*I walked out (as opposed to being carried out).

*I walked out with my teeth intact (better than me haven't).

*My crappy old Gi didn't get torn to pieces (I'm too lazy to sow badges onto a new Gi).

*I didn't get kicked in the balls.

*Fighting Bruce Lee at the Colliseum in Rome was not required (even Chuck Norris lost that one).

[scooterdoug]

^Yes, Steven Seagal is a 7th dan in Aikido. He was also the first foreigner to run a dojo in Japan. His Aikido is powerful, efficient, and brutal. You can find videos on youtube of him just ripping opponents apart in demos. I wouldn't want to take ukemi (falls) for him. It makes me cringe just watching it.