By Bertrand Bourgeat, Member until 2022

After several years of training in Jokokan Ballerup, I was appointed to the first brown belt in Yakami Shinsei ryu corresponding to the degree 3rd kyu. The graduation to the first brown belt Yakami Shinsei-ryu consists of three tests. First, you have to try a physical stop where your physical strength and fitness are tested. The second test is a syllabus stop test and the last takes place at a summer or winter camp. The formal guidelines are well described elsewhere on the website.

The physical stop test I chose to start the training for the physical stop test 5 months before the test. I had a weak knee at the time and I wanted to have time to train it up slowly. Already early in the training course, I got the feeling that the test would probably not be prohibitively difficult and that the regular training in the dojo would probably be enough for me to complete it. Nevertheless, I wanted to be on the safe side.

The special thing about the physical stop test is that it is easy to measure whether you have completed it. You have 12 minutes for the bronze circle, a 5 minute break and 12 minutes for Cooper's running test. The running test must be taken on a treadmill, but I didn't get to try one before the test. We had calculated in advance that I would have to run 2455 meters at an average speed of 12.5 km/h, but I was in doubt about how much effort it would take to maintain that speed for 12 minutes. That made me a little nervous in the car to the test center.

The problem solved itself because I got to try the treadmill before the test and it turned out to be relatively easy for me to keep the pace. I didn't give it full throttle during the test, partly because I knew there was plenty of time for the exercises. And partly because I had learned a couple of times during training that I had to stop completely when I got side stitches. So better keep the pace down a bit and do it the safe way. The treadmill actually proved to be a help because it maintains a constant, and an almost hypnotic, speed throughout the test. And Jens kyoshi and Kjeld renshi dai's friendly and calm management helped to make it a good and safe successful experience! I did the bronze circle in 6:08 and the run test in just under 12 minutes.

Syllabus test Jens kyoshi had told me a little about the test, but I knew that you can't really convey that type of experience with words. There were therefore three of us who came to the test with nerves on our side - Karsten, Elisabeth and the undersigned. Under Kimu Sensei's watchful eye, we spent the next little hour doing various tai sabaki, shiho and kata without very many breaks. Along the way, Kimu Sensei suddenly changed the exercises: "Now I want to see Unsuku 2 with gedan barai" or "Do Pinan 3 and 4 and come up with a transition yourself.". And then he asked several times “Are you tired? Are you giving up?” but of course no one did.

The best thing is of course to ignore the provocations completely and concentrate on the tasks that are set, which is also the point.. The syllabus test is formally a test of how well you know the syllabus from 10-3 kyu, but is apparently also like a test of how good you are at adapting to unexpected tasks under pressure. I deliberately chose to give it everything I had from the start, because the test is a stop test - then it had to break or wear. Towards the end I got a little pressured and my legs started to shake a little. But then, as suddenly as it had begun, just as suddenly it was over. Kimu Sensei and Martin renshi dai, who was with Kkkk Sensei's assistant, left the room to discuss our achievements. I knew that I had made quite a few mistakes along the way, which Kimu Sensei soberly summarized a little later: "You have to work with your tai sabaki, your techniques lack address and you chop off the end of your techniques. But you have passed.”

The summer camp The last test was to take place at the summer camp in Måløv hall. Or rather, the last test would be the summer camp, because the test starts (as always) at the beginning of the camp and only ends when the camp ends. And again, no one knew what we would have to go through with unexpected tests. The only thing that was certain was that we would have to hit cushions, supposedly as the last exercise. As always, the summer camp was exciting and intense. The training proceeded without surprises and at the end of the day the graduation could then begin. While the other belt colors were led through kata and kumite, Karsten, Elisabeth and I managed to rehearse all kata and oyo ippon kumite in the Barefoot hall in Måløv hall.

Suddenly Jen's kyoshi poked his head in and said “Are you warm? You will be there in 10 minutes. You must do oyo ippon and hit cushions!”. Now it was finally our turn and mentally we were ready for oyo ippon. But suddenly the instructors started bringing out cushions and Kimu Sensei announced that in a moment we would hit everything we could until we were told to stop. There was none of the controlled review that we had practiced so many times in the dojo - it was simply straight on and hard! The next 7-10 minutes are a bit hazy for me today. I remember best the blue pillow, held by Søren renshi dai, which I desperately tried to force backwards with punches and kicks. And Søren's determined but friendly voice, which kept shouting at me - "Come on, you can do it, keep going!". It quickly turned into an ugly melee because I simply couldn't create space for maegeri (circle kick) and yokogeri (side kick). Søren renshi dai only moved backwards when I started kicking hisageri ("knee kick"). "Good" he said, "Keep going!". I gave up all about managing my strength and simply gave it everything I had in me until I didn't have the strength to swatt even a fly.

But even then there was no stop so I just kept going. In the background I suddenly discovered that the assembly was clapping and it gave renewed strength. What initially looked like karate was now replaced by "bodega-style" punches and kicks. And all of a sudden Søren stopped me - the stop signal had sounded. I forced myself to stand up straight and look like it had been a routine experience, but I guess I wasn't fooling anyone. It was over and I was allowed to leave the floor. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to thank Søren renshi dai or receive the "sentence" before I had to rush out the door to the family party. On the train to Holbæk, I finally receive an SMS from my clubmates with the words: "Congratulations, you passed!".

"Place for everyone" I once trained Shotokan-ryu karate-do up to and including the 3rd kyu. If today, many years later, I have to try to compare with Yakami Shinsei-ryu, I will venture one eye and claim that the training and graduations in Shotokan were generally physically harder and more demanding. However, this only applies until the 3rd kyu, for Shinsei-ryu the graduation to the 3rd kyu was more demanding. Yakami Shinsei-ryu is generally more technically sound and has a larger and more varied curriculum. You can probably get the black belt in Shotokan in 3-5 years, while the equivalent in Shinsei ryu takes 7-9 years. Yakami Shinsei-ryu thus includes techniques that are only trained after the black belt in Shotokan-ryu. If I were to venture the other eye, I would characterize Shotokan as representing the "outer way" where much emphasis is placed on strength, speed and correct form, while Yakami Shinsei-ryu represents the "inner way", which in higher degree emphasizes a broad understanding of martial arts, technique and inner development.

Since I have no more eyes to venture, I must stop the generalizations here. There is no condemnation of one system or the other in the above assessments. Ultimately, both systems pursue some of the same goals but in different ways and they deserve equal respect. And honestly, I don't know much about what the two systems have to offer after 3rd kyu. The fact that I train Yakami Shinsei-ryu is ultimately a coincidence and a practical arrangement due to the fact that I live right next to the dojo. In Yakami Shinsei-ryu, however, I find that the instructors really practice coherence between words and actions. When they say there is room for everyone, there really is room for everyone!

Today, I am of the belief that anyone can pass the three exams for 3rd kyu if they take the trouble to prepare a little. It is very common that the better you prepare - the easier the tests are to complete. If you want to prepare beyond the time you spend in the dojo, my advice is the following:

• Agree the framework for the training with your family.
• Build up physical form slowly to avoid strain injuries.
• Train what you will be tested in - also for the physical stop test.

And when you go in for the tests:

• Warm up thoroughly – it takes the edge off the nervousness and you're on from the start!
• Don't give up when you are challenged - you can do more than you think!
• Accept and have fun with the unexpected tasks! – because they are part of the test.

The graduation to the first brown belt 3rd kyu was an intense and good experience for me. In a safe and controlled environment, I got to test some limits. I strengthened my self-confidence through the confirmation that "I can if I want to". The price to pay for the experience is small: some small scratches on the ego and sore thighs - all affordable when you know that the investment will come back as a little more humility and firm balls! I am already looking forward to the next graduation!.