USA-TKJ RANK CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES
USA Traditional Kodokan Judo (USA-TKJ) serves as the registry for official traditional kodokan judo rank in the United States and represents to the International Governing Body recognized traditional judo grades of American citizens. When registering new USA-TKJ members who have judo rank, it is important to understand the difference between homologation or validation of judo rank and promotion in judo rank. A promotion is the awarding of the next higher rank to a member who already has his or her rank certified with the USA-TKJ. It can only be accomplished when the USA-TKJ member fulfills all the requirements for their next promotion in USA Traditional Kodokan Judo Rank System or in a Judo Rank System from a recognized judo organization as determined by the USA-TKJ Technical Committee.
For all "Grades or Degrees" of Black Belt - You are required to submit the following Documents, Photo and Information to the USJJF National Office at [email protected].
Send -
1. Copies of all your previous Rank Certificates.
2. Your complete martial arts & professional bio or resume.
3. Your current Photo (a "close-up" in Business Attire).
4. Three Letters of Recommendation.
5. Complete NCSI On-Line Background Check
6. Safe Sport On-LineTraining Certification
7. Concussion On-Line Training Certification
8. CPR On-Line Training Certification
9. You are required to attend a National Seminar or be evaluated by the USA-TKJ Nationally Certified Instructor / Examiner or submit a Video of yourself demonstrating intermediate & advance techniques from the USA-TKJ Curriculum / Rank Requirements.
10. You must be an "Annual" or "Life Member" of USA-TKJ.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOMOLOGATION AND VALIDATION
For students or instructors who wish to join the USA-TKJ and already have rank in judo, the USA-TKJ rank system provides procedures for homologation and validation. Homologation is the issuance of USA Traditional Kodokan Judo credentials for judo rank possessed by a prospective or current member when that rank has been issued by a recognized judo organization. Validation is the examination of a prospective or current member to obtain USA Traditional Kodokan Judo credentials for a judo rank issued by an unrecognized judo organization, or for which no credentials are possessed.
Each procedure, homologation or validation is explained below. These procedures apply to all new members with judo rank of Brown Belt or higher. New members, with lower ranks may be registered at their current rank with approval of their Instructor.
HOMOLOGATING NEW MEMBERS WITH ACCEPTABLE RANK CREDENTIALS
Homologation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member (Brown Belt or higher) who has proof of rank in the form of a rank card or certificate that is recognized by the Central Technical Committee of the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation.
In keeping with the International Standards of Minimum Age Requirements for Dan Grades, the USA-TKJ does require that minimum ages are considered when issuing Homologated Certification for rank issued by other judo organizations.
The following Minimum Ages are required for dan grade certification in the USA-TKJ:
· 16 yrs. old for Shodan, Black Belt, 1st Dan
· 18 yrs. old for Nidan, Black Belt, 2nd Dan
· 20 yrs old for Sandan, Black belt, 3rd Dan
· 25 yrs old for Yondan, Black Belt, 4th Dan
· 30 yrs old for Godan, Black Belt, 5th Dan (Note - Ranks of 5th Dan & above must be reviewed and approved by the USA-TKJ Technical & Promotion Committee)
· 35 yrs old for Rokudan, Black Belt, 6th Dan
· 40 yrs old for Shichidan, Black Belt, 7th Dan
· 50 yrs old for Hachidan, Black Belt, 8th Dan
· 60 yrs old for Kudan, Black Belt, 9th Dan
· 70 yrs old for Judan, Black Belt, 10th Dan
Note: There are many judo organizations whose rank credentials are recognized by the USA-TKJ. If the new member has acceptable rank credentials, he or she may have their rank certified in the USA-TKJ at the current Judo rank.
USA-TKJ Rank Homologation will be issued to only USA-TKJ recognized judo systems.
In order for a judo system to be recognized by the USA-TKJ, all of the following criteria must be met:
1. The judo system's senior black belts must be current members of the USA-TKJ.
2. The judo system's complete curriculum and history must be on file at the USA-TKJ National Office.
3. The judo system's most current roster of instructor / examiners must be on file at the USA-TKJ National Office.
4. The judo system's black belts must be certified with the USA-TKJ (with their personal martial arts "Bio", photo, copies of all their rank certificates and references on file at the USA-TKJ National Office).
5. The senior black belts of each new "applicant system" are required to attend a National Seminar, Camp or place and time coordinated through the USA-TKJ National Office in order to present and demonstrate their system to the USA-TKJ Central Technical Committee for induction into the USA-TKJ Yudanshakai.
To homologate a new member with acceptable rank credentials, an Instructor simply fills out a USA-TKJ Membership/Certification Form, attaches a copy of the new member’s recognized rank card or certificate, and mails this to the USA-TKJ National Office for processing along with the annual membership and rank registration fees. If the Instructor is in doubt as to whether a certain rank card or certificate is acceptable, he or she has only to send a photocopy of the card or certificate to the USA-TKJ for determination.
The Instructor will always receive a prompt and courteous reply. A new member who has his or her rank certified will receive a USA-TKJ National Membership Card showing his or her current rank, a USA Traditional Kodokan Judo Rank Certificate and a USA-TKJ Patch.
VALIDATION OF JUDO RANK
Validation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member who has no acceptable proof of judo rank. Instructors and prospective members should understand clearly that when we refer to a new member’s credentials as "unacceptable" there is absolutely no reflection on the member’s technical competence in Judo, (nor their character). However, the term "unacceptable" merely means that the credentials the member possesses are not issued by a recognized judo organization.
Validation is also a method by which a new member can be registered at the judo rank that he or she is best qualified to hold. If the new member has not participated in a nationally, standardized rank system, he or she may not have been promoted to the rank now held by contemporaries in skill, knowledge and experience. Validation is the method for correcting this situation. Validation is the detailed process by which the USA-TKJ examines new members to verify their credentials or to determine the rank they are best qualified to hold. It involves a thorough examination of their judo knowledge, technical ability, a historical review of their judo experience, and their service to judo. The historical review may go back to their first day of training (and their Instructor) or to the date of their last "acceptable" rank credentials. All new members who do not possess acceptable rank credentials must have their rank validated to be registered with the USA-TKJ holding the rank of Brown Belt or higher. As with USA-TKJ promotions, the member must belong to a USA-TKJ member club to be eligible for rank validation.
If the validation is for a Kyu (Brown Belt or below) grade, then the examination must be performed by a certified USA-TKJ Black Belt (and current member of the Federation). If the validation is for a Dan (Black Belt) grade, then the examiner must be a certified USA-TKJ Black Belt who is at least two grades higher than the rank validation level of the new member. The examiner for all validations or promotions must be a Certified Instructor/Examiner of the USA-TKJ. The examiner will utilize the USA-TKJ Request for Validation of Judo Rank Form and send it with the individual’s membership application and appropriate fees to the USA-TKJ National Office for processing. The National Office will insure that the forms are properly completed and will forward to the new member (or their Instructor) a National Membership Card, USA-TKJ Rank Certificate and a USA-TKJ Patch.
Note: The USA-TKJ Request for Validation Form has all of the necessary instructions for completion and the current validation fees. Promotions, Homologations or Validations for Judo Rank of Godan (5th Dan) and higher must be approved by the USA-TKJ Central Technical Committee. Additionally, the USA-TKJ Central Technical Committee has approved the institution of minimal time in grade and age requirements for all USA Traditional Kodokan Judo Dan Levels.
USA-TKJ is the USA National Governing Body for Judo with the world Judo Federation (WJF) and the USA National Member of the Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF), and as such must abide by its rules and regulations. We simply cannot accept rank credentials or recognize organizations that do not meet requirements of the International Governing Body. Furthermore, USA-TKJ is a judo organization and as such does not register karate, taekwondo, kung fu and like credentials. There are appropriate organizations for those martial arts. We highly recommend that you consider one of the organizations listed in our Partners & Affiliates Section for credentials in these other arts. If judo certification is desired, the member must meet the USA Traditional Kodokan Judo Rank Requirements or the Judo Rank Requirements of a Recognized Judo Organization.
Finally, USA Traditional Kodokan Judo does deal in reciprocity. That is, if an organization or country does not recognize USA Traditional Kodokan Judo rank, the USA-TKJ will not recognize grades issued by that organization or country. However, if an organization or a country recognizes USA Traditional Kodokan Judo certification but does not meet the high international judo standards, USA-TKJ cannot recognize grades issued by that organization or country.
To register your judo rank with the USA Traditional Kodokan Judo, contact the USA-TKJ National Office at 3816 Bellingham Drive - Reno, NV USA 89511, for an application or use the On-Line Application for Dan Grade Certification at [email protected].
For all "Grades or Degrees" of Black Belt - You are required to submit the following Documents, Photo and Information to the USJJF National Office at [email protected].
Send -
1. Copies of all your previous Rank Certificates.
2. Your complete martial arts & professional bio or resume.
3. Your current Photo (a "close-up" in Business Attire).
4. Three Letters of Recommendation.
5. Complete NCSI On-Line Background Check
6. Safe Sport On-LineTraining Certification
7. Concussion On-Line Training Certification
8. CPR On-Line Training Certification
9. You are required to attend a National Seminar or be evaluated by the USA-TKJ Nationally Certified Instructor / Examiner or submit a Video of yourself demonstrating intermediate & advance techniques from the USA-TKJ Curriculum / Rank Requirements.
10. You must be an "Annual" or "Life Member" of USA-TKJ.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOMOLOGATION AND VALIDATION
For students or instructors who wish to join the USA-TKJ and already have rank in judo, the USA-TKJ rank system provides procedures for homologation and validation. Homologation is the issuance of USA Traditional Kodokan Judo credentials for judo rank possessed by a prospective or current member when that rank has been issued by a recognized judo organization. Validation is the examination of a prospective or current member to obtain USA Traditional Kodokan Judo credentials for a judo rank issued by an unrecognized judo organization, or for which no credentials are possessed.
Each procedure, homologation or validation is explained below. These procedures apply to all new members with judo rank of Brown Belt or higher. New members, with lower ranks may be registered at their current rank with approval of their Instructor.
HOMOLOGATING NEW MEMBERS WITH ACCEPTABLE RANK CREDENTIALS
Homologation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member (Brown Belt or higher) who has proof of rank in the form of a rank card or certificate that is recognized by the Central Technical Committee of the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation.
In keeping with the International Standards of Minimum Age Requirements for Dan Grades, the USA-TKJ does require that minimum ages are considered when issuing Homologated Certification for rank issued by other judo organizations.
The following Minimum Ages are required for dan grade certification in the USA-TKJ:
· 16 yrs. old for Shodan, Black Belt, 1st Dan
· 18 yrs. old for Nidan, Black Belt, 2nd Dan
· 20 yrs old for Sandan, Black belt, 3rd Dan
· 25 yrs old for Yondan, Black Belt, 4th Dan
· 30 yrs old for Godan, Black Belt, 5th Dan (Note - Ranks of 5th Dan & above must be reviewed and approved by the USA-TKJ Technical & Promotion Committee)
· 35 yrs old for Rokudan, Black Belt, 6th Dan
· 40 yrs old for Shichidan, Black Belt, 7th Dan
· 50 yrs old for Hachidan, Black Belt, 8th Dan
· 60 yrs old for Kudan, Black Belt, 9th Dan
· 70 yrs old for Judan, Black Belt, 10th Dan
Note: There are many judo organizations whose rank credentials are recognized by the USA-TKJ. If the new member has acceptable rank credentials, he or she may have their rank certified in the USA-TKJ at the current Judo rank.
USA-TKJ Rank Homologation will be issued to only USA-TKJ recognized judo systems.
In order for a judo system to be recognized by the USA-TKJ, all of the following criteria must be met:
1. The judo system's senior black belts must be current members of the USA-TKJ.
2. The judo system's complete curriculum and history must be on file at the USA-TKJ National Office.
3. The judo system's most current roster of instructor / examiners must be on file at the USA-TKJ National Office.
4. The judo system's black belts must be certified with the USA-TKJ (with their personal martial arts "Bio", photo, copies of all their rank certificates and references on file at the USA-TKJ National Office).
5. The senior black belts of each new "applicant system" are required to attend a National Seminar, Camp or place and time coordinated through the USA-TKJ National Office in order to present and demonstrate their system to the USA-TKJ Central Technical Committee for induction into the USA-TKJ Yudanshakai.
To homologate a new member with acceptable rank credentials, an Instructor simply fills out a USA-TKJ Membership/Certification Form, attaches a copy of the new member’s recognized rank card or certificate, and mails this to the USA-TKJ National Office for processing along with the annual membership and rank registration fees. If the Instructor is in doubt as to whether a certain rank card or certificate is acceptable, he or she has only to send a photocopy of the card or certificate to the USA-TKJ for determination.
The Instructor will always receive a prompt and courteous reply. A new member who has his or her rank certified will receive a USA-TKJ National Membership Card showing his or her current rank, a USA Traditional Kodokan Judo Rank Certificate and a USA-TKJ Patch.
VALIDATION OF JUDO RANK
Validation is the method by which an Instructor can register a new member who has no acceptable proof of judo rank. Instructors and prospective members should understand clearly that when we refer to a new member’s credentials as "unacceptable" there is absolutely no reflection on the member’s technical competence in Judo, (nor their character). However, the term "unacceptable" merely means that the credentials the member possesses are not issued by a recognized judo organization.
Validation is also a method by which a new member can be registered at the judo rank that he or she is best qualified to hold. If the new member has not participated in a nationally, standardized rank system, he or she may not have been promoted to the rank now held by contemporaries in skill, knowledge and experience. Validation is the method for correcting this situation. Validation is the detailed process by which the USA-TKJ examines new members to verify their credentials or to determine the rank they are best qualified to hold. It involves a thorough examination of their judo knowledge, technical ability, a historical review of their judo experience, and their service to judo. The historical review may go back to their first day of training (and their Instructor) or to the date of their last "acceptable" rank credentials. All new members who do not possess acceptable rank credentials must have their rank validated to be registered with the USA-TKJ holding the rank of Brown Belt or higher. As with USA-TKJ promotions, the member must belong to a USA-TKJ member club to be eligible for rank validation.
If the validation is for a Kyu (Brown Belt or below) grade, then the examination must be performed by a certified USA-TKJ Black Belt (and current member of the Federation). If the validation is for a Dan (Black Belt) grade, then the examiner must be a certified USA-TKJ Black Belt who is at least two grades higher than the rank validation level of the new member. The examiner for all validations or promotions must be a Certified Instructor/Examiner of the USA-TKJ. The examiner will utilize the USA-TKJ Request for Validation of Judo Rank Form and send it with the individual’s membership application and appropriate fees to the USA-TKJ National Office for processing. The National Office will insure that the forms are properly completed and will forward to the new member (or their Instructor) a National Membership Card, USA-TKJ Rank Certificate and a USA-TKJ Patch.
Note: The USA-TKJ Request for Validation Form has all of the necessary instructions for completion and the current validation fees. Promotions, Homologations or Validations for Judo Rank of Godan (5th Dan) and higher must be approved by the USA-TKJ Central Technical Committee. Additionally, the USA-TKJ Central Technical Committee has approved the institution of minimal time in grade and age requirements for all USA Traditional Kodokan Judo Dan Levels.
USA-TKJ is the USA National Governing Body for Judo with the world Judo Federation (WJF) and the USA National Member of the Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF), and as such must abide by its rules and regulations. We simply cannot accept rank credentials or recognize organizations that do not meet requirements of the International Governing Body. Furthermore, USA-TKJ is a judo organization and as such does not register karate, taekwondo, kung fu and like credentials. There are appropriate organizations for those martial arts. We highly recommend that you consider one of the organizations listed in our Partners & Affiliates Section for credentials in these other arts. If judo certification is desired, the member must meet the USA Traditional Kodokan Judo Rank Requirements or the Judo Rank Requirements of a Recognized Judo Organization.
Finally, USA Traditional Kodokan Judo does deal in reciprocity. That is, if an organization or country does not recognize USA Traditional Kodokan Judo rank, the USA-TKJ will not recognize grades issued by that organization or country. However, if an organization or a country recognizes USA Traditional Kodokan Judo certification but does not meet the high international judo standards, USA-TKJ cannot recognize grades issued by that organization or country.
To register your judo rank with the USA Traditional Kodokan Judo, contact the USA-TKJ National Office at 3816 Bellingham Drive - Reno, NV USA 89511, for an application or use the On-Line Application for Dan Grade Certification at [email protected].