The organization · 2009–2018

Five grades, five cords

To avoid confusion with the kyū and dan grades of modern styles or the menkyo licences of classical schools, the organization named its levels after the echelons of feudal Japanese law enforcement. There were no coloured belts: members wore a jutte or tessen in the obi with a cord and tassel in the colour of their grade.Source A25

Stylized figure in a plain kimono, the EMKTJ symbol for Okappiki — EMKTJ figure, 2009Source A25

岡引

Okappiki (Sergeant)

Entry grade. Historically, okappiki were unofficial police assistants — the lowest rank in Edo law enforcement, paid directly by the dōshin or through bounties.Source A25

Worn as a yellow or gold cord and tassel on the jutteSource A25

Stylized figure in a short jacket, the EMKTJ symbol for Komono — EMKTJ figure, 2009Source A25

小者

Komono (Adjutant)

Second grade. Komono were non-samurai assistants who accompanied the dōshin on patrol and became expert at capturing criminals.Source A25

Worn as a green cord and tassel on the jutteSource A25

Stylized figure with a single sword and a jutte at the belt, the EMKTJ symbol for Dōshin — EMKTJ figure, 2009Source A25

同心

Dōshin (Officer)

Middle grade. Dōshin were low-ranking samurai and the primary patrol officers of Edo; the post passed mostly from father to son.Source A25

Worn as a blue cord and tassel on the jutteSource A25

Stylized figure in hakama with two swords, the EMKTJ symbol for Yoriki — EMKTJ figure, 2009Source A25

与力

Yoriki (Lieutenant)

Second-highest grade. The title means “helper” or “assistant”; yoriki were middle-ranking samurai who worked as managers and administrators.Source A25

Worn as a red cord and tassel on the jutteSource A25

Stylized figure in formal dress with two swords, the EMKTJ symbol for Machi-bugyō — EMKTJ figure, 2009Source A25

町奉行

Machi-bugyō (Commissioner)

Highest grade, held by members of the senior council. The historical machi-bugyō was the central authority — chief of police, judge and mayor for the townspeople.Source A25 Source A21 Source D41

Worn as a purple cord and tassel on the jutteSource A25

The cords and tassels above are modern illustrations drawn for this site.

Councils modelled on the shogunate

Members could take part in running the organization through advisory positions named after echelons of the Tokugawa government.Source A21

01
Rōju Senior council
Made up of the regional representatives, who held the grade of Machi-bugyō. They advised the director on policy, administered their regions, approved school affiliations, promotions and instructor appointments, coordinated multi-dōjō seminars, could grade members up to Yoriki, appointed the junior council and settled grievances it could not resolve.Source A21
02
Waka-doshiyori Junior council
Senior members appointed by their regional representative — usually senior dōjō instructors — who advised the Rōju and the director, supervised at regional level and resolved members’ grievances. Minimum grade Dōshin; Yoriki preferred.Source A21
03
Hyōjōshō Senior instructors
Senior instructors of individual dōjō, responsible for EMKTJ technical standards in their schools. They could promote members to Okappiki and Komono, and Yoriki-grade instructors could recommend promotion to Dōshin, subject to the regional representative’s approval.Source A21

Organization chart: the Rōju of regional representatives above the Waka-doshiyori, with senior and assistant instructors and their members below — EMKTJ organization chart, 2009Source A21

Five tiers of stylized figures from Okappiki at the base to Machi-bugyō at the top, each beside a coloured cord and tassel — EMKTJ grade hierarchy, 2009Source A25

Honorary titles

Beyond the grades, two honorary titles recognized service and character. They are recorded on the taiho-jutsu.net ranking page.Source A42

Ō-metsuke Inspector-General

Primarily honorary, recognizing extraordinary service or dedication. Any senior instructor could make the appointment, subject to the junior council’s approval.Source A42

Hatamoto Banner Man

Awarded only by the director to members whose character reflected the highest ethical behaviour and moral courage. Nominations came from members of at least Yoriki grade, with three independent written recommendations.Source A42

How membership worked

“Edo Machi-kata Taiho Jutsu is not a standalone, independent martial art system. Rather, it supplements existing training in traditional styles of jujutsu (unarmed techniques), as well as kenjutsu and iaido (swordsmanship).”Source A20
— the membership page, 2013

Applicants submitted a membership petition describing their martial arts experience and why they were interested in traditional taiho jutsu, by e-mail to the director or by post to a regional representative.Source A20 Source A22 This describes the historical process (2009–2018); it is not an invitation to apply. About the petition form

Sources for this page

A20Edo Machi-kata Taiho Jutsu, “Membership”. e-budokai.com/members/index.htm · updated 2013-07-19 (capture 2013-10-01) · Original organizational material
A21Edo Machi-kata Taiho Jutsu, “Organization”. e-budokai.com/members/organization.htm · 2009–2013 (capture 2013-10-01) · Original organizational material
A25Edo Machi-kata Taiho Jutsu, “Ranking System”. e-budokai.com/ranks/index.htm · 2009–2013 (capture 2013-10-01) · Original organizational material
B33P. Powers, “Author lays down law on historical Japanese weapons”, Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, WI). scan at e-budokai.com/books/leader1-bw.pdf · 2006-01-12 · Independent source
D41Screenshot of taiho-jutsu.net “Ranking system” page. owner files, Website/Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 20-05-20 · 2024-03-13 · Owner-supplied file
A42taiho-jutsu.net, “Ranking system” (incl. honorary titles). taiho-jutsu.net/ranking_system.html · © 2013 (capture 2017-05-01) · Original organizational material

Full source register and method