Our Curriculum

Kamae no kata - Nunchaku kata - Rolling Kata 1 - Forward Roll - Tie Your Belt

Student Creed - Japanese Terminology - Merit Badge System

We use a variation of the Kamae no kata developed by Master Instructor Bo Munthe for his Ninjutsu students. Our Kamae no kata differs from that of Mu Te Ryu and Ninjutsu because our syllabus is different but our goal is still to develop good taijutsu. Used as a teaching aid to communicate positions of movement or attitudes the kamae is an external representation of the spirit; if your kamae is weak, strengthen your spirit. Some also refer to kamae as a kind of bait, which can be used to limit an attackers choices.

Mu Te Shin Do Nunchaku kata

It is important to note that the nunchaku is not a traditional Ninja or Samurai weapon - it originates from Okinawa, the birthplace of karate. In fact a modern ninja would be more likely to use an umbrella, brief case, mobile phone or even a pen before he/she would reach for a pair of nunchaku.

So why do we use it? Because the nunchaku is difficult to use (in combat and in training), especially if you do not use correct body movement. It requires correct breathing, balance, speed, coordination and concentration, perfect for refining our taijutsu. Try using them to perform kihhon.

Mu Te Shin Do Ukemi Kata 1 1st Rolling Kata

This is the first of two falling kata demonstrating forward, backward and sideways rolling, and forward, backward and face-protection break falling technique.

To perform these correctly get as low as possible touching the ground before pushing off into the roll, and try to breath continually and naturally. If you can time your out breath with the break-fall it will help generate energy to protect your hands from injury or pain and help to propel your body through any connecting rolls.

Zenten Ukemi Ryote 2 Handed Forward Roll

During our lifetime we are more likely to fall over than we are to find ourselves in combat. In fact you have probably been falling over for many years now since you first went from crawling to walking. It makes sense then to conclude that learning to roll and fall is probably more important than any punch or kick - so continual disciplined practise is essential.

Get as low as possible before pushing off into the roll, remember to breath, and focus your sights over the top of the ground rather than looking at the ground; we want to roll over the ground, not in-to the ground.

Learning to Tie Your Martial Arts Belt

Learning to wear your belt and uniform with pride may seem trivial and even silly, but this simple action can have a great impact on the rest of your life. The Japanese Samurai created a ceremony out making a simple cup of tea. They did this because they knew that if they could apply themselves to the pursuit of perfection in such a simple task then no matter what big challenge stood before them they would have practised the self discipline and fortitude that would help them to find a solution. Wear your belt with pride because you have worked hard and earned the right to wear it.

Student Creed

In our schools we adopt the whole of the To-Shin Do 3 Part Student Creed combined with the first 2 parts of the 14 Point Code for Powerful Living. If you would like to learn the whole 14 Point Code for Powerful living, simply Click Here.

Part 1. Ji-shin or confidence; a whole new concept of what you can become

Part 2. Tan-ren or discipline; a whole new range of what you can learn and master

Part 3. Son-kei or respect; a whole new family of friends and teachers

Part 4 & 5. Acting responsibly; a promise to use your new skills productively

I believe in myself.
I am confident.
I can accomplish my goals.

I believe in what I study.
I am disciplined.
I am ready to learn and advance.

I believe in my teachers.
I show respect to all who help me progress.

I protect life and health.

I avoid violence whenever possible.

I respect the property and space of all.

I avoid taking what has not been offered.

We all have a code or programming which dictates the way we process information and that guides all of our decisions. You can choose to have code that is positive and on purpose, or you can choose to have one that is accidental; news, music, tv, computer games etc.

Japanese Words and Numbers

It is important that we learn both English and Japanese terms and numbers in our training. Whilst we should live in the present, and according to the laws and customs of the country we reside in, it is important to learn from the past, as it is to plan for the future. Learning these words helps develop our memory, makes us aware of other cultures and traditions, and is practise of respect - to those who have worked hard to provide us with an opportunity to grow in martial arts.

Tori

Uke

Deshi
Senpai
Sensei

Shidoshi

Shihan

Soke
Kaiso

Gi
Obi

Dojo
Dojo rei
Ritsu rei
Seiza rei
Sensei ni rei

O-ne-gai-shi-mas(u)

Arigato gozaimas(u)

Mokuso
Yame

Hadjime

Mate

Jodan

Chudan

Gedan

Migi

Hidari

Taisabaki

Taijutsu

tor-ee

oo-kay

deh-shee

sen-pie

sen-say

shee-doh-shee

shee-han

soh-kay

k-eye-soh

gee

o-bee

do-joe

do-joe ray

rit-sue ray

see-zah ray

mock-so

yah-may

hah-jee-may

mah-tay

joe-dan

choo-dan

geh-dan

mee-gee

hee-dah-ree

tie-sah-bak-ee

tie-joot-soo

Defending student (receives attack, applies technique)

Attacking Student (applies attack, receives technique)

Student

Junior Instructor (Junior Senpai - if under 13 yrs)

Instructor or Teacher

Senior Instructor

Master Instructor (teacher of teachers)

Headmaster (not Grandmaster, not used to denote grade)

Founder

Uniform (more formal is do-gi)

Belt

Training hall

Bow on entering or leaving the Dojo

Standing bow

Greeting whilst kneeling also called Za rei

Bow to Sensei

Please teach me

Thank you for teaching me

Close your eyes and meditate

Stop (mokuso yame - stop meditating and pay attention)

Commence

Wait

Upper

Middle

Lower

Right

Left

Body rotation, body movement

Martial arts using the whole body

Counting - 1 to 20

1 - ichi
2 - ni knee
3 - san
4 - shi shee
5 - go
6 - roku
7 - shichi
8 - hachi
9 - ku
10 - ju

11 - ju ichi joo-ich(i)
12 - ju ni
13 - ju san
14 - ju shi
15 - ju go
16 - ju roku
17 - ju shichi
18 - ju hachi
19 - ju ku
20 - ni ju

Samurai School Merit Badge System

Junior students of Mu Te Shin Do can monitor their own progress with our unique merit badge system. When you think you're ready to assess for a new merit badge, ask your Instructor if you can assess for a badge.

Badge	Description	Grade Guide
	1. Uniform: Correct wearing of uniform, badge position, pride in presentation, correct belt fastening	White
	2. Stretching: Know the purpose of stretching, unassisted stretching routine stretching whole body from head to toe.	White
	3. Taisabaki no kata: Base kata, plus must avoid shuriken 4 times in a row	Yellow
	4. Etiquette: Counting in Japanese up to 10, terminology for 1 Mon	Yellow
	5. Rolling 1: Student should be able to perform forward, backward and sideways rolls	Orange
	6. Ukemi 1: Forward, backward, face protection; on mats	Orange
	7. Taisabaki Balance Breaking Kata: Defence against punch, hammer & kick	Orange
	8. Creed: Samurai School Creed	Green
	9. Ukemi Kata 1: Rolling and break-fall kata	Green
	10. Punching: Basic punches, performed on focus mitts and in combinations. Straight, reverse, hooking, backfist, hammer and uppercut.	Green
	11. Samurai Self Defence Kata 1 (vs Punches): Demonstrate Samurai Self Defence Kata using full etiquette	Green
	12. Kamae no kata: Ninja Kamae no kata as designed for the Samurai School.	Blue
	13. Go Gyo Kata: Basic Ninja kata of 5 Elements; Chi, Sui, Ka, Fu, Ku	Blue
	14. Samurai Nunchaku kata: Demonstrate the complete Samurai-do Nunchaku kata	Purple
	15. Ninja Self Defence Kata 1: Ninja Self Defence Kata against striking attacks	Purple
	16. Samurai Jo Kata: 4ft staff	Brown
	17. Ninja Self Defence Kata 2: Ninja Self Defence Kata against grappling attacks	Brown
	18. Ukemi kata 2: Defensive rolling, kata	Black
	19. Samurai Self Defence Kata 2: Samurai Self Defence Kata against Push type attacks	Black
	20. Mu Te Ryu Hanbo Kata: 3ft staff	Black
	21. Ninja Self Defence Kata 3: Ninja Self Defence Kata, throwing technique	Black
	22. Mu Te Ryu 9 Punch kata: MTJR Ku tsuki no kata	Red
	23. Mu Te Ryu 7 Kicks kata: Shichi Keri no kata	Red
	24. Samurai Self Defence Kata 3: Samurai Self Defence Kata against kicks	Red
	25. Samurai Sword Draw Kata: Kata incl. both Samurai & Ninja type sword draws practised with modified katana (23" blade)	Red
	26. Samurai Bo Kata (2 person study): 6ft staff	Shodan
	27. Samurai Kama Kata (individual study): Sickles	Shodan
	28. Samurai Self Defence Kata 4: Samurai Self Defence Kata for Ground Defence	Shodan
	29. Samurai Self Defence Kata (Full): All 4 kata demonstrated as a single kata	Shodan
	30. Throwing Kata: Mu Te Shin Do Nage no kata	Nidan
	31. Countering Kata: Mu Te Shin Do Kaeshi no kata	Nidan
	32. Samurai Tonfa kata: L-shaped batons	Nidan
	33. Samurai Sai kata: Pointed batons	Nidan
	34. Self Defence: Knowledge and understanding of Self Defence and the Law
	35. Fitness Award – 200 star jumps without stopping or pausing
	36. Fitness Award – 100 sit-ups without stopping or pausing
	37. Fitness Award – 100 push-ups without stopping or pausing
	38. Great Attendance: No more than 5 training sessions missed per year. Use the ‘Dedication’ badge instead to reward those who have a good attendance or frequently practice outside of class.
	39. Exceptional Attendance: Perfect attendance per year