Each student is taught individually, and not everyone learns the same things in the same sequence or at the same pace. When the teacher judges the student to be ready, the license is granted. This is merely the briefest of overviews. One important fact to keep in mind when studying the koryu is that it is impossible to make entirely accurate generalizations. Each ryu is a unique and individual entity with a distinctive identity.
Some traditions have no headmaster at all.
The best source for information on any given ryu is a member in good standing, for many of the details of a particular ryu's culture are never written down. Reading List For our own training group, we expect prospective students to do some background reading before they may begin training. All rights reserved.