Passing the Godan Test (My Story)
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Passing the Godan Test On September 1 st, 1996, I took and finally passed the Godan test performed by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi. Many, many people have asked me about what went on and how I felt before, during, and after taking the test, so I put together my thoughts and feelings on the subject for you to use in preparing to take the test at some point in your martial arts journey. A little about the test itself: The Godan test is not a physical test, by which you are judged on how many kata or techniques you may know or be able to perform under pressure. Instead it is about the power of intention and how you can attune yourself to feeling the power of someone s intention. Sakkijutsu is this ability to sense the thoughts and intentions of an attacker that arise from their conscious or subconscious mind. The test was administered by Soke Hatsumi only at this time, and involves you sitting in Seiza with Soke behind you holding a shinai in jodan no kamae position. Without warning he will cut down at you and you must avoid the strike in order to successfully pass. During the testing process the only witnesses, who also help judge your success or failure, are the current practitioners who have passed the test in previous sessions. This all sounds pretty easy now doesn t it?? What follows from here is what my experience was like during this event.
After a long day of great training Saturday, an announcement was made that all potential Godan test candidates please report to the stage. A large group of us worked our way up there and found Shihan Bud Malstrom waiting for us. He outlined what was going to be expected from us by Soke during the test. He also informed us that no one will be allowed to take the test unless you are a Yondan, or 4 th degree black belt. He noted that in the past quite a few black belt ranks were eligible to take the test, but from now on Soke was tightening the requirements for Godan. A few dejected people left the stage, and Shihan Bud continued to tell us that the test would be given on Sunday afternoon at the close of training for the day. During training on Sunday, we continued on working heavily with the bokken. I can tell you that it was often dangerous on the training floor with over 500 people swinging their bokken s. Just naturally avoiding accidents tended to heighten our awareness levels! With the end of out second day of training the announcement went out that the testing candidates head back up to the stage for the location of the test. Well, at this point my heart was starting to beat a little faster and all the self defeating doubts began to creep in.you know the ones I m talking about, I don t think I m ready for this, Will it hurt if Soke hits me etc. Right here is the first part of the test just being able to face your fears and self doubts and yet still go forward and take the test.
As we were all joking about taking a hit on the head with a full bladder not a pleasant thought Shihan Bud came up and told us the final location and we were all off to prepare. Most of us at this time decided to take a quick trip to the bathroom to avoid any unforeseen accidents! As the other participants and I filed into the room and sat down in seiza, the first thing I started to notice was the sounds of the people around me breathing heavily. Nerves were kicking in and we were all fighting to control the adrenaline dump that was occurring within us. The last of the witnesses came in and took their places around Soke Hatsumi, and Ben Jones, Soke s translator. The room was locked down to prevent interruptions, and Soke began to speak as Mr. Jones translated for us. Today for the first time in the Bujinkan, the Godan test will be at its most difficult. Most of the Shihan in this room would not have passed as of today s standard. I will cut down through to the floor, and your taihenjutsu must save you as it did in training. In real combat there is no doubt if you survive, and with this test also. Soke continues on to let us know that you will have two attempts at this test, potentially three if he feels it necessary, if you fail you will have to take the test again at another date. As all 23 of us sat there a collective oh crap was whispered! Soke breaks in and says Now I will give you a few minutes to practice your taihenjutsu before we begin.
We all spread out and from seiza began to practice our taihenjutsu rolls and body evasions that would help us survive the test. O.K., who will go first? Everybody sat still for a moment until a friend of mine went up and sat down in front of Soke. Soke placed the shinai on his head, closes his eyes and moves to jodan no kamae. My friend quickly rolls away, but not attack has come yet, he returns to his position. Soke Hatsumi never moved and still held jodan no kamae for about 30 40seconds when he cuts down fast, my friend was rolling out and away from the cut. Yosh! Soke calls out and he looks out to the witnesses to confirm and yes my friend is the first to pass the test! Another person takes position in front of Soke Hatsumi, he cuts almost immediately and Whack! The person gets hit on the side during his taihenjutsu. No, he sits down to try again later. I go forward and sit down in front of Soke, at this point I want to tell you my heart was pounding so hard, I thought every one in the room could hear it! Soke places the shinai on my head and then assumes jodan no kamae, my mind is racing with thoughts and I start to sway forward..no not yet, then I roll way! No Soke hadn t cut down yet and motions me back into position. I roll out again quickly but yet still no attack! This time I settle back down, and I feel that I have to readjust, then a little more
and finally alittle more, this is when Soke places his hand on my shoulder and starts to laugh! Ben Jones translates Soke I think he has an allergy to me! What I didn t know was going on was that each time I was wriggling into position, Soke was trying to re adjust his position in order to strike at me, I had actually been sensing him but he was never able to get into position as I kept moving as he was adjusting! Finally I settle in again and Soke waits for about 20 seconds or so and cuts down, I had started to roll away but was hit on the back of my foot. Soke looks up and says, That would have passed last year. I sit back to try again later. Another goes up to take my place, then another and another. By the end of the first round about half had passed the test, the rest of us waited to try again. Soke Hatsumi takes a moment to offer some words of wisdom to us, In order to pass this test you must give up living and become dead. It took a few moments to sink in but I had my epiphany, and walked up to sit again in front of Soke Hatsumi s sword. I assume sieza and I say a quick prayer, my mind is calm and free of distractions, when suddenly I leap out into a roll! As I turn back Soke is looking to the witnesses for confirmation and then a round of clapping begins! I had passed!!!
As I sat there and later talked about to other people taking the test, I became dead. No thoughts of living entered my mind. That is easy to say then to do, as I sat in front of Soke I had no thoughts about the test, fear, worries, literally I was in mushin no mind, yet fully aware and alert to everything going on around me. A lot of people have said that there has to be some trick to the test, such as you can hear the sound of the weapon, or he queue s you in some way when he cuts, but I was able to watch 22 other people take the test and not once did he queue anyone, and that sword is traveling a lot faster than your reaction time to a perceived sound would allow. Yet, we all felt this intention that caused us to move, and you do and pass or you don t and fail. This is one of the goals in our training and that is, to be able to put yourself in a state of Mushin (emptiness or nothingness). When you enter the state of Mushin you begin to move freely and naturally in time with unseen forces that co-exist all around us. This ability marks the beginning and entrance into the world of true martial arts training. There are many other strange stories that happened that evening but one thing held true for us all, the Godan test has definitely altered us all by the presence of Soke Hatsumi s sword. The Godan test is in a way, an indication of animal like qualities. But then fighting is also an animalistic thing. And this animal sense is a necessary thing. Once you have passed the Godan test, you have passed a barrier of knowing what the martial arts are. Soke Masaaki Hatsumi