Rank examinations are an important part of the martial arts practice. The experience of being evaluated and tested by a senior panel of practitioners act as milestones to strive towards, as well as a forcing function for prioritizing your training time.

Tokushikai ranks go from 6th Kyu (lowest) to 2nd Kyu (highest) and are graded based on the student’s ability to perform correct reiho (etiquette) and technique. Eligibility for challenging the first national grade of 1-Kyu requires achieving 2-Kyu at Tokushikai.

Requirements to challenge each rank as follows:

• 6-Kyu to 4-Kyu - Reiho and ZNKR #1 Mae; Bokuto; No uniform

• 3-Kyu - Reiho and ZNKR #1-5; Bokuto; Uniform

• 2-Kyu - Reiho and ZNKR #1-5; Iaito; Uniform

A short, open-book written test will be required based on the ZNKR Seitei Manual