Last Updated on Saturday, 02 January 2010 21:54 Thursday, 02 December 2004 09:21

Black belt practitioners typically attend the bi-annual Senjo gradings to attempt to advance to the next stage in the system.

With the Shodan Ho grading and the bowing ceremony complete, the spirit of the Senjo ceremony continues on and is physically represented by further gradings commencing with the second degree black belt level. During this extremely physical grading the gradees execute punching and kicking techniques until reaching complete exhaustion in an attempt to elevate themselves out of the confines of the physical level. This grading is the ultimate test of personal expertise and stamina. The idea of this grading is to enable the practitioner to achieve clarity of mind, removing all thought and experiencing total freedom in preparation to bridge Senjo's gap to become a Monjin. Warriors successfully passing this grading sit in front of the Kenjo joining the Metsumiedans. Here they wait to be accredited with the Sandan-Ho rank (probationary third degree) enabling them to pass through the gap to sit on the rear line of the Monjins, behind the Shogun, and again work their way forward.

Upon attaining Monjin standing the practitioner assumes a 'teacher' status. The teacher by now has developed a strong working knowledge of all the physical techniques necessary to achieve the second degree black belt. The ability to teach and explain these techniques is the factor separating the typical third degree black belts from the second dan's. The Sandan-Ho (prospective teacher) will attempt to rise from the student rank and file by attempting the third degree black belt grading. This grading moves slightly away from the intense physical demands of gradings endured to this point and invokes more theoretical (mental) and philosophical (spiritual) thinking. Theory is emphasised through Kata development followed by a clear understanding of its practical (physical) application, particularly in multiple attack situations.

The student's thought (philosophical) is also provoked to enable an awareness that he is ultimately his own student and teacher and that in teaching his students, he sees his own strengths and weaknesses reflected in their actions. The trinity (physical, mental and spiritual) has therefore been addressed in this grading, and through this, a deeper understanding of unity is conjured. The student achieves the Sandan rank (third degree black belt). As the philosophy behind this rank manifests within the student and is demonstrated in his daily lifestyle and his interaction with others the teacher is accredited with the 'Yondan-Ho' title (probationary fourth degree black belt).

To move further forward and thus gain 'Yondan' status, the practitioner attempts the fourth degree black belt grading. This is regarded as the first of the 'esoteric' dans. The Monjin now exemplifies his knowledge not only in his approach to others but also in his attitude towards himself. Having realised the reflective nature of the student teacher relationship, he better understands his own innate strengths and weaknesses. Through weapons training, the Monjin fosters the growth of the strong points in his character and eradicates flaws. The use of three weapons must be mastered and demonstrated in individually developed Katas. Through the Katas, the Monjin will demonstrate his interpretation of the essence of each selected weapon. Whist training with weapons and creating weapons Katas, the Yondan-Ho begins to acknowledge the weapon as an extension of self (Kakucho) rather than an instrument of destruction.

The practitioner begins to view the world and his immediate surroundings as an extension of himself, rather than being outside of and in opposition to himself. From this new perspective of self, the practitioner now sees himself as fulfilling a role in an overall structure. From this point in his training, the practitioner will focus development on physical perfection in movement, a logical approach and strong moral values (physical, mental and spiritual is evident again). With this, the practitioner's awareness of the strength to be attained through unity is enhanced. When this is seen in the practitioner's outward approach, the teacher (now 'Yondan') is accredited with the 'Go Dan-Ho' title.

The next grading, Master's Level (fifth degree black belt) elevates the practitioner into Senjo's spiritual realm. The practitioner begins to realise the significance of Karma ('that which goes around comes around'). During the grading the Go Dan-Ho places himself at the centre of an octagon and demonstrates eight separate interpretations of attack through defensive strategy. Attacks are performed from all eight directions enabling the practitioner to demonstrate understanding of self by responding to attempted intrusion upon his physical, mental and spiritual harmony.

Through the octagon defence strategies and the required fifth degree kata as well as a further personal kata, the practitioner must portray all of the physical, mental and spiritual principles and techniques contained within Senjo (basically the accumulation of knowledge acquired since commencing at the white belt level). Upon attainment of this rank, the student has become the master, who, in turn, acknowledges himself as a student of life. In this sense the circle is complete; 'that which goes around, comes around.' Go Dan is the last of Zen Do Kai's physical gradings, the remainder to tenth dan are awarded honourably.

"In strategy there are various timing considerations. From the outset you must know the inapplicable timing, and from among the large and small things and the fast and slow timings find the relevant timing, first seeing the distance timing and the background timing. This is the main thing in strategy. It is especially important to know the background timing, otherwise your strategy will become uncertain." Miyamoto Musashi - A Book of Five Rings