As Bushinkai is a member of TEMAA, affiliated to the United Kingdom Budo Federation we use the Dan-I (Kyu Grades and Dan Grades) system for both Japanese and Chinese arts and also award Shogo (Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi) titles. Bushin Ryu also uses the traditional Menkyo system.

Gogen Yamaguchi (10th Dan Hanshi) and Simon Keegan (4th Dan Renshi). Both received grades from Kokusai Budoin. Simon trained under Tadanori Nobetsu, a student of Yamaguchi who succeeded him as Kokusai Budoin's Goju Ryu director.



Bushinkai grades are as follows with Dan-I grade in black; TEMAA coaching awards in green; UKBF Shogo in blue and Bushin Ryu densho in red.

Note: After 3rd Kyu Toshu Jutsu (Karate) students are also assessed for Nihon-den Jujutsu. The Bushin Ryu Menkyo we award (Aiki no Jutsu, Hiden Mokuroku etc) are considered Jujutsu certificates. The two facets of the art together comprise Hakuda Kempo Toshu Jutsu.


beginner grades
10th Kyu White Belt
9th Kyu Red Belt
8th Kyu Yellow Belt
7th Kyu Orange Belt
6th Kyu Green Belt
5th Kyu Blue Belt

intermediate grades
4th Kyu Purple Belt
C5 Assistant Instructor
3rd Kyu Brown Belt
2nd Kyu Brown Belt
1st Kyu Brown Belt
C4 Club Instructor

advanced grades
1st Dan Black Belt
C3 Regional Instructor
Menkyo: Oku Iri (Entrance to the secrets) [36 principle techniques]
2nd Dan Black Belt
C2 National Instructor
Menkyo: Aiki no Jutsu [12 principle techniqes]
3rd Dan Black Belt
C1 International Instructor
Menkyo: Hiden Mokuroku (Catalogued secrets)

Expert advanced grades
4th Dan Black Belt
Menkyo: Bushin Ryu (traditions of Warrior Spirit)  Jujutsu
Menkyo: Hakukigen Ryu (traditions of White Lion) includes sword
Menkyo: Goshin no Te (skills of defence) [Jo, Chu, Ge]
SC1 Senior International Instructor
Shogo: Renshi (Polished Teacher) 
Menkyo: Kyoju Dairi (representative headteacher)
5th Dan

Master grades
6th Dan
Shogo: Kyoshi (Professor of Teachers)
7th Dan
8th Dan
Menkyo: Kaishaku Shoden (performing headteacher)
Shogo: Hanshi (Exemplorary Teacher)
9th Dan
10th Dan
Menkyo: Kaiden (everything passed)
Shogo: Meijin (Grandmaster)



In Bushinkai Sifu David Keegan holds the grade of 4th Duan (Dan) and Simon Keegan Sensei holds the grade of 4th Dan Renshi and the certificates up to Kyoju Dairi.

The senior teachers of TEMAA all received their grades prior to 2005 from Kokusai Budoin (which along with Dai Nippon Butokukai) pioneered the use of Shogo. In 2009 TEMAA, through its governing body the UKBF were awarded the mandate to present Shogo by the UK Director of Dai Nippon Butokukai.

'Renshi' is an official title in Japanese society, which originated in the samurai warrior class, and means a 'Polished Teacher' of a particular martial art. Ever since the Meiji restoration in 1868, the title was issued and recorded by the Dai Nippon ButokuKai in Kyoto, which became the National Governing Body and 'records office' for all of the traditional martial arts in Japan since 1895. 

The "Kanji" for Renshi is made up by Ren (as in Renshu) meaning Train, Polish, Refine; and (On the right) by Shi (as in Bushi) meaning Samurai or Gentleman.  Depending on the context, as in all Japanese writing, one reading is that it implies "A person who teaches Samurai" or in an alternative context it may be read as:- "A person who has become Samurai through their diligent efforts of training" (As distinct from one who is Samurai by blood, or inheritance).

Simon Keegan's Current Grades

Bushin Ryu Headteacher

Holds Densho:
- Oku Iri
- Aiki no Jutsu
- Hiden Mokuroku
- Bushin Ryu
- Hakukigen Ryu
- Goshin
- Kyoju Dairi (representative headteacher)

Budo and Bujutsu grades:

4th Dan Renshi Shoto Ryu Karate Jutsu
3rd Dan Niseikai Karatedo
2nd Dan Nihon-den Jujutsu
2nd Dan Judo
2nd Dan Taiji Quan