Kobukan Kobudo Training for Students
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Organization Student Fee: $50 USD / Year
Welcome to the Kobukan Kobudo Renmei’s informational resource on training opportunities as a student within our Kobudo organization.
The Kobukan is a unique martial arts organization with a direct historical lineage to Japanese martial arts, including Ju-jutsu and Ninpo. We believe in the value of traditional principles of warrior training, while at the same time providing a rewarding atmostphere that is encouraging, friendly, and safe.
What To Expect
As a student of the Kobukan Kobudo Renmei, you can expect a journey of growth, discipline, and empowerment. Through the structure of the Kobukan curriculum, you will build skill upon skill that will not only have a positive impact on your ability to defend yourself, but also give you a tremendous set of tools that you can carry through life, including confidence, focus, and balance.
Our instructors all are certified through the Kobukan organization, while also maintaining their own passion for training as a student. You are not just becoming a student of the Kobukan Kobudo organization, but also joining a worldwide family and support system, helping you along the path of martial arts mastery and discovery.
Learning Options
As a Kobudo student, we have a number of options to train with us, giving you the flexibility to be a part of our organization in a way that fits your life.
1. In-Person Training: The clearest path to growing as a martial art student is always in-person classes, if you live near a Kobukan instructor and are available to attend within their schedule, we encourage you to reach out to them to schedule a visit. All official Kobukan schools and groups are listed here.
2. Train Online Anytime, Anywhere: Students can train in live classes with Kancho, or access recordings of his classes 24/7, from anywhere with an internet connection. All online Kobukan training is available through our online Kobukan University.
3. Events: The Kobukan provides opportunities for training and connection through international, regional, and local events. These include annual international Taikai led by Kancho, occasional Shibu (regional) seminars conducted by Shibu-cho (regional leaders), and individual local seminars organized by instructors for their students. You can find information on official Kobukan events here.
Progression
Pre-Black Belt – Our pre-black belt rank structure consists of 3 sections called Shokyu (beginning level), Chukyu (mid-level), and Jokyu (high level).
Each section is further broken down into 3 levels, or “kyu”, in reverse numeric order. They are as follows:
- Shokyu: 9th kyu, 8th kyu, 7th kyu
- Chukyu: 6th kyu, 5th kyu, 4th kyu
- Jokyu: 3rd kyu, 2nd kyu, 1st kyu
Through these 9 kyu, students learn the fundamentals of Kobudo, preparing you to learn the unfiltered techniques of our martial systems (ryu-ha), as has been handed down for hundreds of years.
As you progress, your focus will be not just on practicing a “kata”, or form, but also understanding how they can be applied in real self-defense.
Students must pass all levels with a minimum 90% grade. You can also apply to become a Group Leader in your local area, upon successful completion of the Shokyu level, with at least a 95% grade.
Please note: Experienced Takamatsu-den martial artists have the opportunity to enter the organization at a rank commensurate with respective Kobukan standards. Pre-black belt levels can be approved directly by local instructors. All black belt levels are evaluated and approved directly by Kancho.