Hoshin Budo – Self Improvement Through Self Defense
Hoshin Budo is an intelligent and living martial art born out of the most effective principles that underlay American, British, French, Russian, Indonesian, Chinese and Japanese combat traditions. Hoshin Budo is unique in that it also includes healing as part of the curriculum as well as the most efficient methods of meditation for chi development, mental power and clarity. Our goal is learning martial arts for protection of self and others and maximizing the potential of the human body. The Hoshin warrior path is a proven way to achieve this.
The Belt System
Hoshin uses the Godai movement model (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Void) as a way to work with the
energy centers of the body to develop one’s self into a balanced human being. The Godai provides
a model for integrating the emotions with a physical response so that true mind/body harmony
can be achieved.
Each belt level of Hoshin is associated with a particular energetic center of the body (referred to as chakras in esoteric physiology). Each center (located along the spine and increasing frequency and center of gravity as you move up) is exercised through a specific attitude, breathing dynamic and movement. Through practice, the responses you learn at each belt level are internalized and will resurface depending on your feelings in a given situation.
Hoshinjutsu is a system of principles, strategies, and dynamics. Though there are specific techniques in the Hoshinjutsu system, understanding the underlying core of these actions is what allows the student to be able to handle themselves in a real situation. The main points in the study of the physical techniques of Hoshinjutsu are how they affect the anatomy of the attacker, how they adapt to the attacker’s rhythm, and how the power or force of the attack can be neutralized.
White Belt
The White Belt is earned in Hoshin. In a warrior/combat tradition, the white belt means the
wearer is humbly willing to sacrifice his or her ego to learn. White represents pure energy
without intention—sometimes referred to as virtue. When the white belt is given, the student
has been formally accepted into the ryu.
I. Earth Belt
The earth attitude is relaxed and happy acceptance of the situation as it is—steady and
confident. Breath is slow in, slow out. Students learn to level their opponent with
heavy, up-and-down movements. Combined with basic meditation and rooting techniques,
this belt is about building a strong foundation and opening the root (Earth) chakra.
II. Water Belt
The Water attitude is defensive—moving away while gaining a safe position to engage or
evade. Breath is slow inhale, fast exhale, like a wave. The student learns to move at
odd angles to break down their opponent. Because the adrenal glands are connected with
the Water chakra, this level teaches your body how to channel the energy of reactive
terror into power.
III. Fire Belt
The attitude of Fire is directed intention. Fire is an energy-releasing element, so
a student learns to “joyfully leap toward the sword!” and feel excited about winning.
The breath is fast in, fast out. Movement is forward and through the opponent.
Allowing yourself to fill with intensity and harnessing the power of Fire is what
opens the Solar Plexus (Fire) chakra.
IV. Wind Belt
The Wind attitude is accepting and receiving—compassionate, caring, and healing. The
mindset is not wanting to harm your attacker. Breath is fast inhale, slow exhale.
Movements are circular or floating horizontally. You blend with your attacker’s
movements to take control or avoid the attack. Basic healing is introduced at this
level, further opening the Heart chakra.
V. Brown Belt
The brown belt in Hoshinjutsu signifies a teacher in training who has demonstrated the
strategies and techniques of Hoshin, plus the ability to convey the art to others. Brown
belts may teach their own training group and award rank up to Green Belt. They must
teach beginner students for one year and have at least one student who has reached
Orange Belt.
1. Shodan
Shodan is the first Black Belt rank in Hoshin Jutaijutsu. At this level, the student
must be able to teach all techniques through Void Belt and must have achieved the
lesser Kan and Li (opening the Microcosmic Orbit). The Shodan is competent in the Godai
attitude for each of the five elements, and also learns ways to successfully counter
these strategies.
2. Nidan – 4. Shidan
At the dan ranks, a student begins to exhibit integration of Hoshin principles and the understanding of how to control the dynamics in any given motion. As black belts advance, they continually refine movements so that wasted motion is minimized. At the higher levels, Hoshin Jutaijutsu may not look like a typical martial art. To observers, it can appear as though very little beyond an “accident” occurred—yet it’s a highly efficient way to fight that conserves energy.
5. Godan – 10. Judan
Once Godan is achieved, you’re considered a Shihan (master-level instructor of Hoshin). An inverted patch is worn to identify this level of achievement, and red stripes are used to signify 6th–10th degree black belts. These ranks are awarded to instructors who continue mastering all aspects of Hoshin Budo.
