Tsue Kakuto Ranks

TSUE KAKUTO RANKS:  Tsue Kakuto ranks students based on skill in performing specific techniques, the ability to chain techniques together into actions for combat situations as demonstrated in kata, and knowledge of the subject matter for each rank.  

The first four ranks focus on the development of individual fighting skills.  The senior two ranks below Black Belt are expected to be able to teach through the 2nd Kyu.  The Black Belt is the highest rank in the method and requires both proficiency and contribution to the development of cane method and its instructional methods.   

The 6th Kyu (White Belt) will provide a basic set of actions that allow the practitioner to act effectively with the cane.  The 5th through 2nd Kyu (Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple Belts) each focus on a level of the hierarchy of actions.  Kata are progressive so that they combine into one overall kata for the method at the completion of 1st Kyu (Brown Belt).  Each kyu kata will focus on the action of the level. Tsue Kakuto kata differ from commonly used kata through the inclusion of not only foreseen actions in the form of standard movements, but also unforeseen actions in reaction to choices provided the student in the 3rd and higher kata.

[1] Foundation Belts:  Candidates for the first 4 belts will concentrate on the development of effective fighting techniques.

White [6th Kyu] – basic offensive actions,  basic parries, 1^st kata at the beginner level

Yellow [5th Kyu] – Basic striking targets, distance control, preemptive offense against the developing attack, offensive actions, 1^st and 2^nd kata at the competent level

Orange [4th Kyu] – Advanced striking targets, counteroffensive attacks, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd kata at the competent level

Green [3rd Kyu] – Parry and offensive action after the parry. 1st, through 4^th kata at the competent level, introduction of prearranged sparring (yakusoku kumite).  Capable of assisting in teaching a White Belt course.

[2] Upper Belts:  The higher level belt holders are expected to transition to serving as instructors for lower ranks.

Purple [2nd Kyu] – Parry as a defensive action with a pause to create opportunities.  1^st through 5^th kata at the competent level.  Capable of teaching 5th Kyu students as demonstrated by training at least 1 student at that level.

Brown [1st Kyu] –1^st through 6^th kata at the competent level.  Capable of teaching 4th through 2nd Kyu students as demonstrated by training at least one student at one of the three levels.  Conducts a short research project on the application of technique and document the results of that research in a formal paper.

[3] Senior Belt: Black belt holders are expected to make sustained contributions to the method as a combat discipline and to serve as exemplary teachers and role models for practitioners.  For the foreseeable future the method will only award one level of Black Belt.

Black [1st Dan] – Demonstrated skill in the unified kata and individual actions.  Able to teach at all levels.  Conducts a significant research project in technique or instructional method and documents  the results of that research in a suitable academic thesis.  

TIME AND PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS:  Individuals studying Tsue Kakuto are expected to progress through the method’s ranks in an orderly sequence, starting with 6th Kyu, regardless of other martial arts ranks held.  Although individuals with extensive martial arts or sword combat backgrounds may progress more swiftly at the discretion of their instructor, at each level flawless execution of the required techniques and katas, without hesitation or prompting, is expected.  The recommended times are minimums for motivated students without a background in the use of weapons; the recommended frequency of repetitions of the kata is a minimum practice frequency to achieve the minimum promotion times.  Promotion to 2nd and 1st Kyu ranks may take longer than the recommended minimum times due to the requirement to train a student to the specified levels.