PROMOTION, CERTIFICATION & DAN GRADE REGISTRATION

PROMOTION AND RANK REGISTRATION

Birankai North America follows a structured process for evaluating and recognizing member proficiency through promotion examinations, award of kyu and dan ranks and recognition of instructor certifications.

Kyu Rank Promotion: 

A student is generally evaluated for kyu rank promotion at his or her home dojo by means of an examination conducted by the chief instructor of the dojo. Following award of a Kyu rank, the chief instructor should record the promotion on the online BNA dojo roster, as soon as possible.

While there is no fee payment required to register a kyu rank, on being awarded the rank of 5th kyu, a student should become registered as a member of Birankai North America (if they have not already done so) and acquire a Birankai passport (record of promotion and seminar attendance) from their dojo.

Dan Rank Promotion: 

Dan rank promotion tests are conducted by a certified Birankai North America instructor or an examination committee comprised of certified BNA instructors authorized to evaluate the candidate for the promotion under consideration.

BNA dan grade promotions must be registered with Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Upon promotion of a student to a BNA dan grade, the BNA instructor must register the student’s rank with Hombu; this will automatically register it with BNA. The registration materials (signed applications and fees) should be submitted to the BNA Registrar within 90 days of the promotion date. Regardless of when these materials are submitted, the date of promotion in BNA records will be the date upon which the promotion is recognized by Aikikai Hombu Dojo.  It is at the chief instructor’s discretion whether to have a BNA dan certificate in addition to a Hombu certificate.  It is not mandatory, but will be provided to the chief instructor at little to no cost when the Hombu registration materials are completed.

• • For application forms and information on procedures for registration of dan grade with Birankai North America and Aikikai Hombu Dojo, please see the REGISTRATION OF DAN GRADE PROMOTIONS section, below. 

• • (Note: For individuals applying to join Birankai North America, the organization recognizes dan grades issued by Aikikai Hombu Dojo.)

• • Read this excerpt from a 1997 article on promotion, written by T. K. Chiba Sensei.