KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI  | International Martial Arts Federation 
|   SHORINJI RYU KARATE DO  |   OKINAWA KOBUDO   |   TAI CHI   |   Founded 1976 by O´Sensei Richard Kim, Hanshi, 10. Dan

The Evaluation Criteria For Honors Of The KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI | Shorinji Ryu


GENERAL
Practicing all the arts of Shorinji Ryu, consisting of karate, kobudo and tai chi, is a mandatory requirement for holding honorary titles.
Black belt grading is not necessarily linked to an honorary title.
Rather, it should be an incentive to become more intensively involved in the preservation and cultivation of the martial arts of KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI.
Proposals for nomination can be submitted by any holder of a higher title to the KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI Board of Directors in the form of a written justification.
It may be beneficial if nomination proposals are supported by other authorized persons.
When deciding on the personal suitability of a candidate, the Executive Board must also take into account the structure of KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI.
A decision to the disadvantage of a candidate is therefore not necessarily due to their insufficient qualifications.
The Board decides on the application and informs the applicant of the decision.
The Board as such can award any title on the basis of a majority decision.
The Meijin or the Technical Director of KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI has the right of veto.


RENSHI (錬士)
“Expert of the exercise”

A Renshi is an expert in practice or a scholar of the training process.
He has achieved technical mastery and has sufficient experience as a martial arts teacher.
The holder must have graduated with at least the 4th Dan and be able to demonstrate approximately 20 years of practice.
The title is linked to the examiner's license up to and including 3rd Dan.
This title reflects not only technical ability, but also the person's character and pedagogical maturity.
A Renshi is expected to have achieved a high level of technical ability, pedagogical competence and ethical behaviour and to be recognized as a respected leader.

Here are the key requirements for achieving this title:

Technical mastery
A high level of technical proficiency and understanding of our martial arts.
Experience
Years of experience in regular practice and teaching.
Teaching skills
Proven competence in teaching and developing students of all levels, and the ability to communicate complex techniques and principles in a clear and understandable way.
Maturity of character
A role model in terms of discipline, ethics, and behavior inside and outside KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI.
He should be an example of integrity, respect and humility.
Contribution to the community
Actively contribute to the development and promotion of KOKUSAI BUTOKUKAI e.g. through seminars, publications or teacher training.
Recognition by the community
Participation in international seminars is a matter of course.
Continuing education
Continuous further development and study of our martial arts, including participation in further training measures, courses or the study of related disciplines.

KYOSHI (教士)
“Educational expert; scholar with great technical understanding”

A Kyoshi is not only an expert in technical matters, but also has extensive knowledge of the theoretical background and historical roots. He is also able to guide his own students on the path to becoming a martial arts master.
The holder must have graduated with at least the 6th Dan and be able to demonstrate approximately 30 years of practice.
Each of the aforementioned titles must be verified.
The title is linked to the examiner's license up to and including 5th Dan.
The requirements for a Kyoshi in martial arts are varied and include both technical skills and personal qualities.

Here are the most important requirements for obtaining this title:

Advanced technical skills

He must have a high level of technical skill in our martial arts.
This includes not only mastery of the techniques, but also a deep understanding of the principles and concepts of the arts.
Spirituality
He is immersed in the spiritual arts.
Long experience
He has trained for decades in our martial arts. This long experience is necessary to understand the depth and breadth of the martial arts.
Teaching skills
He is not only an excellent fighter, but also a teacher. He must be able to effectively pass on his knowledge and skills to students, both on a technical and philosophical level.
Mental and spiritual maturity
In Shorinji Ryu martial arts, mental and spiritual development plays a central role.
He should therefore have developed a strong inner discipline, serenity and wisdom.
Understanding of the philosophy and ethics of martial arts
He should have deeply internalized the philosophical foundations and ethical principles of martial arts. This includes an understanding of values such as respect, honor, integrity and modesty.
Recognition by the community
The title This means that the Kyoshi is recognized by the martial arts community as a teacher and master.
Maintaining and passing on the tradition
He is the guardian of tradition, preserving the martial art of Shorinji Ryu in its authentic form and passing it on to future generations.

These prerequisites make the title a great honor that is only bestowed on a few who have distinguished themselves over many years through their dedication and contribution to the martial art of Shorinji Ryu.

HANSHI (範士)
“Exemplary teacher; teacher of teachers”

A Hanshi is a role model, an exemplary student; the attributes “exemplary” and “role model” refer not only to technical and didactic skills or a particularly extensive knowledge of martial arts, but above all to the moral integrity of the person concerned and their direct proximity to the ideal of the Way.
The holder must have graduated with at least the 8th Dan and be able to demonstrate approximately 40 years of practice.
Each of the aforementioned titles must be verified.
The title is linked to the examiner's license up to and including 7th Dan.

Here are the most important requirements for obtaining this title:

Technical mastery
He must demonstrate exceptional mastery of the techniques of his art.
This includes not only the correct execution of techniques, but also the ability to teach them at the highest level.
Deep knowledge of philosophy
In addition to technical ability, he must have a deep understanding of the philosophical and spiritual aspects of the martial art. This includes knowledge of the history, traditions and ethics of the art.
Spirituality
He masters the spiritual arts.
Exemplary behavior
He should be a role model for others in his behavior and morals. This includes respect, humility, integrity and a deep dedication to the martial art of Shorinji Ryu.
Teaching experience
It is often associated with significant teaching experience.
He should be able to pass on his knowledge effectively and act as a mentor to others.
Further development of martial arts
His research contributes to the further development of Shorinji Ryu.
He is the author of advanced literature.
Recognition by the community
The candidate's achievements and contribution to the martial art of Shorinji Ryu are recognized.
Time dedication
The path requires decades of training and a deep dedication to the art of Shorinji Ryu.
It is a lifetime commitment that requires continuous personal and technical development.

A Hanshi represents the highest level of Shorinji Ryu, both in terms of technical skill and personal maturity and wisdom.

MEIJIN (名人)
“Perfect human being”

The word “Meijin” comes from Confucianism. This distinction can be awarded to holders of the 10th Dan Hanshi. They are among the outstanding leaders of martial arts who have dedicated themselves to the principles of Budo throughout their lives. Through their personal example of the highest technical perfection and deepest intellectual understanding, they have also contributed to the development and spread of the Budo idea throughout the world through constant and varied efforts.

A Meijin is therefore not only a technical master, but also a spiritual and moral leader in his martial art.
The holder must have graduated with at least the 10th dan and have approximately 50 years of practice.
Each of the aforementioned titles must be verified.
The title is linked to the examiner's license up to and including 9th Dan.

Here are the most important requirements for obtaining this title:

Many years of experience and a deep understanding of the art
He must have spent many years in his discipline. This experience enables him to understand the arts in all their aspects - not only technically, but also philosophically and spiritually.
High technical ability
He has reached an outstanding technical level, far above the average master.
This includes not only the execution of techniques, but also a deeper understanding of their principles and application.
Mental and spiritual maturity
He embodies the principles of self-discipline, patience, humility and inner calm. He has the ability to go beyond pure technique and integrate the mental and spiritual aspects of martial arts.
Passing on knowledge
He is able to pass on his deep knowledge and understanding of the arts to others. This includes the ability to teach students at a high level and to support them in their own development.
Contribution to the development of the arts
Contributing to the advancement and preservation of our arts. This may be through the creation of new techniques, the interpretation of old teachings or the publication of writings that further the understanding and practice of the arts.
Ethics and role modeling
He serves as a role model for others, both in his behavior and in his way of life. He lives by the ethical principles of the martial arts and inspires others to do the same.