All,

The new Gedan Manual has the explanations for 9th Kyu through 1st Kyu
requirements. It also has
the check sheet for Shodan (but not the explanation). With this in mind,
1st Kyu students now have
the opportunity to get the Gedan Manual before promotion to Shodan. Once
students are promoted
to Shodan (if they dont already have the manual), they will be required
to have it.

For BTSD Instructors, if you already have the 2005 Instructor Manual,
you can continue to use the check
sheets for 9th-1st Kyu. There are some subtle differences between the
old and new manuals, but the check
sheets are basically the same. However, what you don't have in the old
manual are the check sheets for
Mods 1-7 of Level One of the ShinkenTaijutsu program. So if you want to
start incorporating these
requirements within your dojo you may want to get a copy of the Gedan
manual yourself. To be
clear, only certified instructors can sign off students on the Shinken
requirements. Having the check sheets
allows you to train with them and gain familiarity with the requirements
prior to being certified yourselves.
This will speed your own certification process. Currently, Dan Reiher,
Carl Hawkins and Michael Pearce
are authorized to sign off on Level One requirements. It is my hope that
all dojo leaders (San Dan and above)
will become certified to teach these requirements in the next couple of
years.

Gambatte Kudasai ! Phil

Phillip Legare
Shihan Bujinkan
Budo and Shinken Taijutsu
BTSD Hombu Eagle River, Alaska