All questions concerning this handbook are to be directed to Butch Velez, Kaicho
Revised May 2002
The American Goshin Budo and Kobudo (Shi-Toh-Ryu-Karate-Do) is a non-political organization made up of martial artists coast to coast with no ties abroad. AGK takes no orders from any other governing body and depends on no master for inner stability. Its stability comes from hard working, knowledgeable martial artists with a sound background for quality and guidance.
Butch Velez - Kaicho
Shihan
Ju Jitsu
Karate-Do
Kobudo
Iai Do
Ken Jackson - Shihan
Fuku Kaicho
AGK accepts instructors of all Martial Arts styles; that is, instructors who desire to upgrade their present style or to add a separate Art, and are both willing and able to progress through the ranks of AGK. Instructors may join AGK (Ju Jitsu, Kobudo Shi-Toh-Ryu Karate-Do) by writing to the AGK office for application. Upon completion, a copy of present Kobudo, Karate-Do or Ju Jitsu certificate(s) must be submitted for approval or disaproval.
A new membership is $250 per year (fiscal year) from the time the member pays his or her dues. No person will be denied membership in AGK because of his or her martial arts affiliation, race, creed or religion.
New: Those who are members of other organizations may pay $350 for each area of interest (Karate do, Goshin Budo, Kobudo, or Iaido) and the minimum membership is 10. You will be signed up under a dojo within your region.
After approval, 10 students must be registered with AGK before a Dojo Charter is issued. New: The charter remains the property of AGK and there is a 90 day probationary period. Students register on a yearly basis and receive ID cards showing membership and rank with expiration date. Registered members are entitled to Diplomas and patches. Promotions are not possible without awarding a diploma and rank registered with AGK.
New: Dojos that fall below the minimum memberships will automatically fall under a designated dojo in that district; therefore, it is recommended that dojos maintain membership levels that will sustain them.
Back To TopFirst year memberships are submitted by students only, by personal check, money order, or certified check until their school has qualified for discount. An ID card will be sent to you for the Instructor's signature. It is the student's responsibility to maintain yearly AGK membership dues. It is the instructor's responsibility to encourage their membership.
All Diplomas must be signed by the Head Instructor bearing a current Dojo Charter and school number.
Applications are obtained from Instructors who have applied, been accepted and issued a Dojo Charter. A Dojo Charter is the property of AGK and can be suspended only the by the Founder/President.
Back To TopOnce an instructor is accepted (along with his students), he or she is issued a Dojo Charter authorizing him or her to solicit members and to register them with AGK. Students of Ikkyu (1st Brown) and above are granted permission as Head Instructors. No charter for Instructors training at HOMBU office who have active membership. Monthly bulletin (no charge) is printed to keep members informed. Promotions of instructors and students are listed. Seminars are also posted along with results. Information from any Head Instructor is welcomed.
Prompt replies to any Head Instructor who has questions concerning AGK and one to three day mailing of ID cards and diplomas may be expected.
Head Instructors do not pay for membership if they maintain their eight-student membership with AGK.
Discounts are given to individual instructors depending on their position with AGK. Discounts are only in effect after a minimum membership (10) and 90 day probation period being completed.
Back To TopThe point system is as follows:
Dojo Points
1. Minimum AGK membership 20 points
2. Public exhibition (featured by local radio, TV or newspaper - must be
documented) 10 points
3. 1st Place in any one tournament - 5 points (2 points for 2nd place)
4. 1st Demo competition - 10 points (5 points for 2nd Demo competition)
5. Disabled students (each) - 5 points
6. Recruiting new AGK schools - 50 points
7. Sponsoring seminars - 25 points
8. Two additional points for each AGK member over minimum
9. Volunteer teaching for law enforcement - 10 points
10. Martial Arts Magazine featuring you or your students - 20 points
11. Invited guest (AGK) - 25 points
American Goshin Budo and Kobudo has three objectives: (1) to certify highly qualified instructors; (2) to maintain transcripts and (3) to teach minimum basic (unified) requirements in Ju Jitsu, Okinawan/Japanese Kobudo, and Shi-Toh-Ryu Karate-Do. No instructor is expected to join AGK and be proficient in all three separate arts. He or she is expected to expand knowledge in the area selected. No Instructor will be promoted to the next higher rank for joining AGK.
Back To TopSince AGK is non-political, a large number of members belong to other Martial Arts organizations and have joined AGK to strengthen their schools, be well rounded and to add a new dimension to their style of Martial Arts. AGK is not a governing body in any way, for any sports tournament, rules governing tournaments or public exhibitions of Martial Arts. This is left up to the individual instructor and his or her students on a school level. AGK does not sanction tournaments.
Minimum requirement for new Instructors for acceptance in AGK are based on AGK standards. All future promotions to next higher grade are based on AGK standards.
Back To TopMinimum time-in-grade is set by the President for all Instructors and students. Grades of Ni-Dan (2nd Dan) and above will be awarded by the President and grades below may be awarded by the US Director, Representative, Advisor, by direction. Head Instructors may only promote up to one (1) grade below their registered rank. Brown Belt (IKKYU) Instructors may recommend students for promotion through San Kyu (3rd Brown).
Time-in-grade requirements are for students who attend classes on a regular basis without a break in training that belong to AGK. This time is computed from the approval date of their application or from the date of their last promotion. Instructors may accept current rank of students from other organizations, but their time-in-grade starts with date of application. Cross recognition: If members have fulfilled requirements of their parent organization and have been accepted.
Back To TopOnly Head Instructors of AGK may award promotions and only those students who are members may be promoted. No student may be tested by the President, Director, his assistants/representatives, or advisors without permission from his instructor.
Promotions are not possible without minimum time in-grade and the awarding of a diploma.
Promotions of Head Instructors are usually conducted by the AGK President, Director or Representative, Advisor. Instructors should make special effort to learn minimum requirements before a test date is scheduled. No attempt is made to change basics and variations that an Instructor has mastered in the past, but he or she is expected to add and learn the basics and variations set by AGK. You only "gain" rather than change.
Promotions of children have the same time-in-grade requirements, although no junior will be awarded the rank of Sho-Dan (1st Dan) before the seventeenth (17) birthday. Here a maturity factor is as important as physical skill and technique.
Back To Top| KYU | Belt | Months | Diploma Fee | |
| 10 | Ju-kyu | white | ------- | ------ |
| 9 | Ku-kyu | white | 2 | ------ |
| 8 | Hachi-kyu | white | 3 | ------ |
| 7 | Sichi-kyu | yellow | 3 | 12.00 |
| 6 | Rok-kyu | orange | 3 | 14.00 |
| 5 | Go-kyu | green | 3 | 20.00 |
| 4 | Yon-kyu | blue | 4 | 25.00 |
| 3 | San-kyu | brown | 6 | 30.00 |
| 2 | Ni-kyu | brown | 6 | 40.00 |
| 1 | Ik-kyu | brown | 6 | 50.00 |
| Dan | Belt | Months | Diploma Fee | |
| 1 | Sho-Dan | black | 24 | 100.00 |
| 2 | Ni-Dan | black | 30 | 150.00 |
| 3 | San-Dan | black | 40 | ? |
| 4 | Yon-Dan | black | ? | |
| 5 | Go-Dan | black | 15 yr min Depends on Endorsements |
|
Outstanding students, with Sensei's approval, may bypass one Kyu grade Go-kyu and below, and one Brown belt grade.
Uniforms should be White Gi/Hakama - black pants) with proper patch. San-Dans (3rd Dan) and above may wear black Gi or mixed. This is not a requirement. Colors vary in each school.
A formal test should be given before each promotion to the next higher grade. San-Dan and above must have two rank examiners of Yon and above.
Back To TopIt is recommended that all AGK members have a white gi of traditional origin. Since rules vary from school to school, this is not enforced.
It is also recommended that San-Dans and above wear black pants with the solid white gi top. The basic purpose is to display your rank (belt) in a uniform fashion. It is also important that an instructor wear mixed colors, so as to stand out in his or her class. All belt promotions should be given in the traditional gi, especially when high Dan rank examiners are to be present.
Back To Top1. Must be an active member of AGK and have
minimum time in-grade.
2. Must be physically, mentally, and spiritually ready for
testing (know the test material).
3. Diploma fee and ID card number collected.
4. Submit student's
a.
Name and address
b. Present rank
c. Recommended
promotion
d. Date of
promotion
A new ID card and Diploma will be mailed within three (3) days after it is received and approved by AGK office and returned to Head Instructor for presentation.
Back To TopSuggested minimum requirement for each area of AGK (Ju-Jitsu, Kobudo, and Karate-Do) are mailed on request. Also, requirements of individual AGK instructors are welcomed for review, regardless of style.
Special Note - for Sho-Dan (1st Dan) in Okinawan/Japanese Kobudo, Instructor or student must be at least Ni-Dan (2nd Dan) with minimum of 10 kata that include at least 3 separate Okinawan weapons. A sho-dan testing for equal rank must know a minimum of 15 kata.
Karate-Do for 1st Dan should know at least 20 kata of traditional origin. You may use kata from your basic system, but you are urged to increase your kata and bunkai (application) knowledge.
The rank policies of AGK are individual and vary from school to school. It is up to the instructor to demand the highest possible standards and to use AGK minimum basic requirements as a guide.
Back To TopNo Director, Representative, Advisor or Instructor will be allowed to create channels to interfere with direct service link with AGK headquarters. All members' promotions are sent directly to AGK Headquarters and only the President may re-route promotional certificates for authorized signatures.
Back To TopMinimum requirements and responsibilities for bonafide AGK Head Instructors to qualify for AGK Dojo Charter:
Submit application in complete form (failure to do so will disqualify you for membership).
Register a minimum of 8 students (9 or more students, no registration for Head Instructor).
There will be a 1 year probation period for all new instructors and schools before a Dojo Charter is issued. This Charter is the property of AGK and will be forfeited on demand if you fail to meet and uphold the guidelines of this organization.
The date of your acceptance in AGK will qualify you for minimum time in-grade toward your next higher grade (promotion). You must meet minimum time in-grade and learn basic technique before each promotion. A formal test will be required by rank examiner.
Comply with minimum time in-grade and minimum basic requirements for students. Promotions are not possible (recognized by AGK) for a Goshin Budo and/or Kobudo and Karate-Do rank without issuing an AGK Diploma.
The symbol for AGK is restricted only to represent this organization. Any use, duplication or resale without written permission is prohibited. To use this symbol is a privilege that is granted by AGK.
Correspond with AGK at least every three months. Make arrangements for training sessions and report results to this office for newsletter.
Show respect t fellow instructors, students, Representative, Advisors, and senior ranks. Failure to do so will result in suspension or termination as a Head Instructor and member of AGK.
Be a good example of AGK.
Recruit new members. Study and teach basic requirements.
Persons with drug related or felony offenses need not apply for membership.
Register students yearly with AGK
Register (each) student's rank with AGK
Maintain minimum student membership requirement (10 yearly)
Conduct training seminars
Submit articles/comments for AGK newsletter.
Do not use AGK to endorse any political event other than its main objective
Avoid misrepresentation of AGK
Never promote a member to the next higher grade unless his time in-grade and minimum requirements are completed
Keep an open mind. Do not degrade other instructors and their students.
Any instructor may withdraw from AGK at any time by writing to AGK Headquarters and requesting withdrawal; or, by not corresponding with AGK at least every 3 months and failing to maintain minimum membership standards. Only the Founder may dismiss a school's charter and the Founder has the final decision.
Back To TopThe policies of AGK are permanent and will be in effect until it is in the best interest of AGK to change. The Founder has final decision.
Back To TopOne of the most beneficial services is the arrangement of training seminars in any of the three arts that make up AGK. Any member school may request a seminar by arranging it through the AGK office.
Back To TopDirector (by indefinite appointment)
State Representative (one year term of service)
Advisors (one year term of service)
AGK members that practice solely the American Shi-Toh-Ryu Karate-Do system should learn the kata (forms) requirements in their prescribed progression. Requirements for each belt level (Kyu or Dan) will be given upon request. Bunkai is mandatory for each kata; that is, its practical application. You must understand the kata. For complete basic requirements and recommendations, contact the Hombu office. Listed below are the AGK suggested kata:
| Jin No Kata (1 through 16) |
Seipai |
| Ten No Kata | Hangetsu |
| Enpi Ropou | Kosokun Dai |
| Chi No Kata | Kosokun Sho |
| Yen Su | Shihokosokun |
| Pinan Shodan | Kanku |
| Pinan Nidan | Sanchin |
| Pinan Sandan | Seisan |
| Pinan Yondan | Seienchin |
| Pinan Godan | Tensho |
| Jute | Kururunfa |
| Jiin | Gojushiho |
| Jion | Sushiho |
| Chinto | Unshu |
| Rouhai | |
| Matsukaze | |
| Ananku | |
| Saiha | |
| Bassai Dai | |
| Naifanchin Shodan | |
| Bassai Sho | |
| Naifanchin Nidan | |
| Bassai San | |
| Naifanchin Sandan | |
| Tomari Bassai | Enpi |
Minimum basic requirements for promotion are lengthy and complex. A list of test requirements will be made available as you progress. Basics and variations (bunkai) are mandatory. For basics and recommendations, contact the Hombu office. The Goshin Budo kata structure is protected and for only AGK members. An oath is required.
Back To TopKobudo rank will depend upon the progress of the empty hand basics. No Shodan rank in kobudo will be promoted unless he or she is at least Ni Dan in karate-do or exceeds minimum kata requirements. The old Kuniba-ha kobudo kata is protected and for only AGK members. An oath of protection is required.
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