Judo Black Belt Test at Kodokan・講道館初段試験(投の形)

On Wednesday, August 9th, 2023, I took my final test to receive a Judo black belt from Kodokan, the home of Judo.
2023年8月9日（水）、僕は講道館から黒帯をもらうための最後の試験を受けた。
After completing the Men's Beginner School at Kodokan, passing technical examinations, and competing in shiai, I had one more test to get my black belt. I had to perform the first 3 sets of the Nage no Kata as Tori and Uke to become Shodan (a first-degree black belt).
講道館の男子初級学校を修了し、技術審査に合格し、居合に出場した後、黒帯を取得するためにもう一つ試験があった。初段になるためには、「投の形」の最初の3セットを「取」と「受」でやらなければならなかった。
This is my Nage no Kata test.
これが僕の投の形試験です。
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:07 - Hand Techniques・手技 (取)
0:28 - Hip Techniques・腰技 (取)
0:48 - Foot Techniques ・足技(取)
1:14 - Hand Techniques・手技 (受)
1:39 - Hip Techniques・腰技 (受)
1:54 - Foot Techniques ・足技 (受)
2:27 - End

[@bilalsoudjudo4224]

Good 👍❤️

[@kmosheng]

congratulations!

[@Trollexius]

I think i saw you practice there 2 or 3 weeks ago when i was i japan :D

[@paulovictorr.alexandre532]

Congratulations!!! In this exam, did you do the 5 stages of nage no kata? And were you evaluated as Tori and as Uke, right? Could you tell me a bit more about how the evaluations went? I liked the vídeo!! Again, congratulations, and thanks for sharing, from Ceará, Brazil!!

[@baldajane]

Thanks! It's just the first 3 stages of Nage No Kata, and evaluated as Tori and Uke :) I've written a little bit about it in the description of the video.

[@paulovictorr.alexandre532]

Oh thank you, here in Brazil, to become Shodan, we don't take a Shiai exam, but we are assessed in the 100 Kodokan techniques through a draw, 3 techniques from each Waza, and we do all 5 stages of Nage No Kata. Great to know this information, thank you very much!

[@yourleftisttesticle]

I was hoping to travel there and do the courses for 1st dan. Did you do the full 2 courses? How was it?

[@baldajane]

I did indeed do both courses! You have to, and regardless of your previous grade, they'll always place you at the first. The first course is divided into 2 divisions: - 1 month students, focusing on ukemi and a few judo throws (13 class attendance minimum) - 2/3 months students focusing on 15 basic judo throws Once you complete 40 classes over at least 3 months, you will move on to the second more advanced course where they have randori for the last 15-30 min of class (depending on the teacher). There you will take technical examinations your 5th and 4th kyu, and then 2 shiai for your 3rd, 2nd, and 1st kyu, as well as to graduate the school. Then.... after all that, you can take your shodan kata test. It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it for those that want to become good judokas. It sets you up for the fundamentals and Kodokan has exceptional instructors. I still practice there daily and I'm actually doing the shodan kata test today with another student that recently graduated (I'm the only one that's approximately his weight and height).

[@user-qz5ym9zy8j]

Congratulations🎉 Can you recommend me when is the right time to go to Japan. I train judo and I am a beginner. I will go for 2 weeks.

[@baldajane]

If for Judo, then you should come around mid summer or mid winter training. Mid summer just passed, and it’s 2 hours of intense training for 10 days. It’s usually around early/mid July. Mid winter training happens at the start of the year, this year I think January 5th? It’s also 10 days of intense training, but at 5:30am! The energy is awesome! Kodokan also holds various events throughout the year too if those times don’t work. Check the Kodokan calendar and hopefully you can find an event you enjoy. The only time I would recommend against coming to Japan is shortly after Christmas and around Golden Week. Kodokan is closed and everyone is with family.