Examinations take place three times in the year. The exact dates are determined at the general meeting of the association and at the beginning of the year communicated.

The price of the examination is reimbursed together with the participation entry, which must take place at least a week before the exams. When a student succeeds, the equivalent diploma is given.

During the test, every student must try to obtain the degree that fully deserves him and equals to his skill level. The degrees that are obtained in the exams must be worn (belt, signs).

The master has the right to drift away from the exam material, if this is the way to get a better opinion for the examinee and to judge him more justly.

The required matter for the examinations is structured according to the below three levels of Ninjutsu education:

  • SHU (Basic, that is to say Kyu 9, 8 and 7)

In this level the student imitates the techniques that he sees from his teacher, without nevertheless he comprehends in-depth. He tries more to conceive the movement and trains his patience. This level corresponds in the principles of the Sky (Ten Ryaku No Maki).

  • HA (Middle, that is to say Kyu 6, 5 and 4)

He begins to understand the meaning “why” the techniques become thus as they become and to combine the various on part techniques in a completed unit. It extends his horizon with new techniques. This level corresponds in the principles of the Earth (Chi Ryaku No Maki).

  •  RI (Superior, that is to say Kyu 3, 2 and 1)

He develops awareness for the likely way how his opponent is acting. He can always more be adapted and use his knowledge in real conditions of conflict. This level corresponds in the principles of the Human (Jin Ryaku No Maki).

Then follow four DAN degrees, in the duration of education which the student perfects his knowledge and deepens more in the armed fight and the peculiarities of various faculties.

In the Ranking System that follows you can see the subject-matter of each degree by clicking on his title. As we see in the two publications of Bujinkan Hellas, “Basic Ninjutsu Education” und “Advanced Ninjutsu Education”, becomes explicit that the content of the examinations can be only indicative, including representative techniques from each field and faculty. Consequently the examinations matter should not be considered as a stereotyped and restrictive structure, but more as one ductile and live company in the long way of the martial art.

Aim of examinations is the conscience which the student acquires, for the performance he can have under conditions of pressure and stress, the evaluation of his self-control and knowledge level and of course the satisfaction after one appreciable appearance.

The training time for each degree is roughly 36 classes. With the condition, that the student attends all three days of training the week, this time corresponds in three months. For the 10 degrees up to the black belt results this a time duration of 30 months. This rule is of course not binding and it presupposes, as we reported above, three trainings the week.

Grade criteria of the BUJINKAN DOJO ATHENS league

The student is judged at the exams according to the following criteria:

  • Know-how: Knowledge of the technique and of the way it is performed.
  •  Posture: Correct and comfortable position. Head over the pelvis. Relaxed and free neck and shoulders. Knees appropriately bent.
  •  Balance: Correct and comfortable posture and during the movement.
  • Distance: Right distance from the opponent in every moment of the exercise.
  • Technique: Quality of the technique performed.
  •  Opponent’s control: Break of balance and control of the opponent during the technique.
  • Flow of movements: Going through one move to another without a pause.
  •  Effectiveness: Correct and desirable result of the techniques.
  •  Radiation: Size, kind and way of transmitting (inner) information.
  •  Kiai: Energy expression of the inner spirit and state of fight (for higher marks).