[illetrygrargo]

Originally posted by KhawMengLee


heh, was he joking? being eccentric?

mengu Um, no. The laughter was, I think, to underline his point.

b

[Sapremolz]

Careful Confound, your superiority complex is showing...

b

[largonioulurI]

In some countries, they simply do not have sufficient numbers of suitably graded kendoka to construct an examination panel. The IKF rules are being reviewed to make it a bit easier for affiliates to meet the criteria of a qualified panel.

In Australia for example with nearly 600 members, we have dificulty in putting together a panel for a 4dan grading, as our senior numbers grow, that will change.

Apart from that it must be nice to have your kendo level assessed in the country of origin.

One more thing is the higher up your kendo grade is, then ther are more people to carry your bags, fold your gi and hakama and put your kendogu away!

[Kolokireo]

I would just like to add a few points that I forgot.

As I remember "all" the panel have to pass you for Godan. For Yondan its perhaps four out of five.

When I did ZNKR Iaido grading for Yondan at a Kendo seminar in London They got together two people. One was Nomasa Sensei a Hachidan from Kita Kyushu who did Shinden. And Horiuchi Sensei a Kendo Kyudan who had never done Iaido. As I graded Nomasa sensei was explaining things to Horiuchi. Perhaps they were unaware that I knew what they were saying. Afterwards they asked me who taught me Jikiden and about particular waza. The point I am really making is that gradings abroad do not necessarily follow ZNKR guidelines.

For my Godan there were as usuall about five or six people only. Its at the nationals that these fours and five multiply into thousands as a dozen or so go from each prefecture for six seventh and eighth dan.

One person who shall of course remain nameless has taken me to gashuku to meet certain Sensei who were on grading panels. He said that is was important for him to "socialize". I am in no way ascertaining that there is any favoritism involved. Just that ones face needs to be seen and remembered.
Some might say that ah well you can't see whos fighting and they are just numbers. Maybe so, but your name is still written on your bum. If I see some one out of the hundreds of Yudansha I see I know who it is! Kiai alone is distinctive if you meet and practice with someone a few times.

This never affected me as I gave up the Dan-I road some time ago to follow the shogo system.

Is that Japanese menjo better? Best leave that until after we finish a practice.
No good waving about a peice of paper after a match and saying "Hey you can't do that, I have peice of paper to say I am a nanadan!"

Ben, I had that. Once a teacher I know went to check the papers before they announced the results. He pointed to me then the paper and did a throat cut sign!

Hyaku

[FrassyLap]

"Of course you really need to practice with people that are higher than yourself. If you cant do that then it could present an obstacle"

OK so there's a few of them around, but they're spread pretty thinly in Aus. Hmmm... maybe I should go into the mountains and swing a bokken until I see tengu...

"I have seen a lot of westerners who come over here a few weeks before gradings to do extra training. They have practiced regularly at home, but have a hell of a lot of work to do when they come over and pass by the a hairs breadth."

Oops! Exactly what I was planning...

b

[NETvoyne]

actually I was wondering the same thing as Confound...
Why don't you do your grading in your home country? I suppose apart from 6th Dan or above you can take exams locally.
Are the people afraid of tougher requirements outside Japan? Simply because there are, say 1000 kendoka taking 5th Dan at the same time in Japan. While in Europe... probably 1 or 2 at a time... ^_^"

[Gubocang]

Having said that, after passing my 4 dan, one of the grading panel members came up to me and said: "Howatto nambah you? Oh! I feiru you! Ho ho ho!" heh, was he joking? being eccentric?

*********************
originally posted by Hyaku.
This never affected me as I gave up the Dan-I road some time ago to follow the shogo system. Tou wa ichiji no haji, towanu wa matsudai no haji

Hyaku, forgive my ignorance but what is the shogo system?


mengu

[toponlinecasinoer]

I have already graded in Japan, so I know pretty much what to expect.

In Aus, the only time we can grade to 5 dan or above is when a large ZNKR/IKF delegation visits (usually for Nat c'ships). This is not always convenient. I'm also looking for a strong excuse to go back and visit Japan. It's now ten years since I was last there. Lots of people I want to catch up with. And I like the idea of being a bit anonymous amongst hundreds of other kendoka. I want the experience of going for 5 dan to be nothing special, in a way. And besides, from Melbourne the distance to Japan is not that much more than to, say, Perth (great part about living in the 'Asian hemisphere').

And yes, I suppose I don't want to feel that the grading was either a lot harder or a lot easier than the equivalent in Japan. I always feel that the visiting sensei are practicing diplomacy as much as kendo when they come here. Having said that, after passing my 4 dan, one of the grading panel members came up to me and said: "Howatto nambah you? Oh! I feiru you! Ho ho ho!"


Anyone else out there with views on the differences between the grades? Any interesting grading experiences?

b

[allaboutauto.us]

Hey Ben, I was there too remember ?

He was serious.

We both didn't fail tho !

[engideNedmupe]

Well I am interested in doing a grading or 2 in Japan
Sure it’s expensive but Japan is one of the few countries I have not been to as yet plus
It all adds to the experience of the grading and the certificate in Japanese is a nice touch
But also get to pick up some nice equipment but the over all bonus is being able to speak to higher grades/sensei and possibly get some tuition from them

[leareliovag]

Over ten years since I made that transition

There is not anything particular to me that stands out between my Yondan and Godan gradings. I can't really give you any specific advice apart from constantly train.

There are a lot in Japan that tend to turn up for just a few months before gradings to give it a try and of course fail. So to effect a really a smooth transition you need to practice hard.

I was an adult Yondan and taking seniority was not expected to do basics. Kiri kaeshi and kakari geiko were more of a quick warm up to do a lot of Jigeiko. But I joined in with the others with basic men uchi etc. And still do from time to time! Everything is the same but must be better. Stand up, move in slightly and "Take kensen control". No thrashing about

One thing that stands out in my mind is nearly every grade I have taken the opponent has screwed up the kata. Get yours right even if he screws it!

Of course you really need to practice with people that are higher than yourself. If you cant do that then it could present an obstacle

Godan in Japan is a prefectural level that says you are now ready to go out nationaly and try for Rokudan. They won't pass you unless they think you are ready. Sorry I dont know the actual prefectural pass precentages. If you are taking the grade abroad then it could be a bit different.

I have seen a lot of westerners who come over here a few weeks before gradings to do extra training. They have practiced regularly at home, but have a hell of a lot of work to do when they come over and pass by the a hairs breadth.

I had taken Iaido grades in countrys other than Japan so I had to change certain things to suit the judges. Here its no problem. The prefectural taikai is the day before. If you win that your almost home and dry. Its just a repeat performance

Hyaku

[cut sifted ephedra sinica]

What are the internal and external differences between the higher dan grades?

I'm thinking 4 dan and above. Jeff Marsten's article in KW2 was very informative as to the requirements for achieving 7 dan. I will be eligible for 5 dan in 2004, so I'm interested in that transition specifically.

I'd be interested (and so would everyone else I think) to hear any of the higher ranked contributors to this forum relate their experience.

b

[DownloadMan]

Hyaku, forgive my ignorance but what is the shogo system?

mengu
..........
I spend most of my time at Batto Jutsu and Kenjutsu within a Ryu. It's Mokuryoku, Menkyo, Menkyo Kaiden, Shihan etc. Generaly the first two are attainable in ones lifetime. Only one person sees the others.

No Dani-I system as they existed before this was invented. Dan are usually awarded by an association. If a ryu belongs to an association you sometimes see Dan grades too but its silly to mix them. When they advertise seminars they lump them all together and its confusing.

The Nihon Kobudo Renmei is ryu only, no Dan. Although my Battoryu is a member of an association with rank there is none in my actual Ryu.

ZNKR does the opposite and has shogo added to rank which usually come with the grade. There was another thread on that if I remember

Regards Hyaku