As a Yudanshakai of the United States Judo Federation, Shufu holds USJF rank promotional events twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, in both Shufu Central and Shufu North.   Shufu follows the USJF promotion requirements.

Promotion requirements:

1. Requirements:

   See 2021 USJF Senior Rank Promotion Recommendations

   Note: The requirements are comprised of the 40 throwing techniques (nage-waza) of the gokyo-no-waza plus techniques from the shinmeisho-no-waza.

2. Videos of all the techniques:  

See “Kodokan Judo 100 Techniques”

Promotion registration eligibility:

1. Current membership in USJF and/or USJA

   (Note: Current members of USJA may request to be examined and have their results forwarded to the appropriate organization.)

2. For Shodan – current year plus one year prior membership in USJF

3. For Nidan and above – current year plus three years prior membership in USJF

Fees:

1. Shufu promotion examination fee:  $65

2. USJF promotion fees: $125 for Shodan, $180 for Nidan, $230 for Sandan, $250 for Yodan, $280 for Godan, $300 for Rokudan, $350 for Shichidan, $400 for Hachidan.

   Note: Life members do not pay the USJF promotion fee.

3. Kodokan promotion fees (if applying): The US Kodokan Committee will send the applicant a final statement including promotion fee, postage and bank fees.  Note: The Kodokan does not change these fees. However, the exchange rate between the US dollar and Japanese yen may change from time to time.

Summary of all documents to be submitted

Submit documentation/information to Karen Whilden, Shufu Rank Registration Chair at shufurankreg@gmail.com

Note:  Only electronic submissions are accepted

1. Proof of USJF membership

Scan of current USJF membership card

2. Proof of current rank

a. Ikkyu rank: Scan of signed dojo certificate
b. USJF dan rank: Scan of rank card or certificate
c. Non-USJF dan rank:  Scan of rank documentation from promoting organization

3. Background check (Note: Good for 2 years)

To obtain a background check:

USJF: Link to Form

USA Judo – application is done through Sport:80

Note: To submit a USA Judo background check, email a snip of your Sport:80 account that includes the logo (USA Judo or Sport:80) that it is a background check, your name, and the expiration date.

4. Form 20

Must be in an editable format so that the Shufu Rank Registration Chair is able to sign it electronically.

Note:  if a Form 20 has not been submitted by one month in advance of the promotional date, or revised as needed by 14 days in advance of the promotional date, the Shufu Board of Examiners will table the promotion request until the next promotional.

Obtaining an editable Form 20

Preparing the Form 20

Creating and Signing the Form 20 Electronically

5. Kata scores

Kata must be scored by a national or higher level certified kata judge in the kata to be tested, a national level certified kata instructor in the kata to be tested, or a member of the Shufu Board of Examiners.

6. Certificates (required)

Note 1: For USA Judo Sport:80, click on green “Current” to obtain the certificate

Note 2: For USA Judo Sport:80 but without a certificate, email a snip of your Sport:80 account that includes the logo (USA Judo or Sport:80), the type of certificate (e.g., CDC Heads Up), your name, and the expiration date.

a. All dan applicants:

i. Safe Sport Certificate for application through USJF

Certification is good for 1 year.

ii. CDC Heads Up certificate for application through USJF

Note: Cert is good for 2 years.

Eligible concussion training:

Accepted by USJF:  CDC Heads Up or NFHS

Note: USJF does not accept the NAYS concussion training. Therefore, applicants who need to satisfy the requirements of USA Judo should take the CDC Heads Up training.

b. Nidan and above:

CPR and First Aid certificate(s) – Choose an Internet-based program. There will be a small fee.

c. Other Certificates – For noncompetitors only, to reduce time-in-grade

i. See senior promotion requirements
ii. See USJF website (www.usjf.com/certificates) for additional options including Teacher certification (online), Coaches certification (online), Kata Development and certification (in person), and Self Defense certification (online and in person)

7. Recommendation to be promoted

The candidate’s sensei sends in an email recommending them for promotion to the rank for which they are applying.

8. Register for the promotion

Access the promotional flyer located on the Shufu website. Scroll down to the section entitled ‘Registration and Fees’ to access the online registration and waiver.

9. Belt size (Shodan only)

Shufu provides a black belt to successful candidates for Shodan.  Submit an email stating your belt size.

10. Note:

All fully completed documentation is due 14 days prior to the promotional.  No documentation will be accepted after that date.

Post-Promotion Steps

USJF process after promotional is over:

1. Shufu Rank Registration Chair:

a. After the promotional (usually the same day), the paperwork for all the candidates who passed is emailed to USJF.
b. The Rank Registration Chair informs the candidates to call USJF and pay the USJF promotion rank fees.

2. Candidate:

Calls USJF at 541-889-8753 and pays the rank fees: $125 for Shodan, $180 for Nidan, $230 for Sandan, $250 for Yodan, $280 for Godan, $300 for Rokudan, $350 for Shichidan, $400 for Hachidan.

Note: Life members do not pay the USJF promotion fee.

3. USJF process:

Once USJF determines all is in order, they print the USJF rank certificates and USJF rank cards, and mail them to the Chair of the Shufu Board of Examiners.

4. Shufu BOE chair:

Signs the certificates and sends the certificate and rank card to each candidate.

5. Candidate:

Emails the Shufu Rank Registration Chair that they have received both their USJF rank certificate and their USJF rank card.

6. Shufu Rank Registration Chair:

Closes out your promotion, returns your Form 20 to you, and deletes all your promotion correspondence and files.

7. You officially have your new rank!

Applying for Kodokan rank (optional):

1. Rank Registration Chair:

After closing out your Shufu/USJF promotion, you are sent a link to the US Kodokan Committee so you can apply for a Kodokan rank.

2. Candidate:

a. Informs Rank Registration Chair via email if they want to apply for a Kodokan rank certificate or not.

Note: The Kodokan does not jump promote. You must apply for ranks in order.  If your USJF and Kodokan ranks are out of sync you must wait for the Kodokan’s time-in-grade to pass before applying for the next rank.

b. Fills out the form located on the US Kodokan Committee website: uskodokancommittee.com
c. Uses the Contact button to ask questions on their process.
d. Submits their form, $20, and a copy of their USJF rank certificate by standard mail.
e. Informs Rank Registration Chair via email that they have submitted their application.

3. US Kodokan Committee:

a. Reviews your documentation.
b. Informs you what the Kodokan promotion fees will be.

4. Candidate:

Pays the fees.

5. US Kodokan Committee:

Sends your application to the Kodokan.

6. Kodokan:

Reviews the application, prints the Kodokan rank certificate and mails it to the candidate.

7. Candidate:

After receiving the Kodokan rank certificate, the candidate emails the Shufu Rank Registration Chair confirming its receipt.

8. Done!!!    Your Kodokan rank will be respected worldwide.