In the following text, 'appropriate' means
exactly that; appropriate for the grade examined. In other words don't
expect more than the grade requires or more than you could reasonably
expect from the age and fitness level of the applicant. If we apply the
requirements below without considering age and infirmity then none but
the super fit could ever attempt a grading. This is obviously wrong!
Please try to consider effort, commitment and depth of practice as well
as just technique. In Japan 1st to 3rd dan is regarded as 'low level
kendo' and even 4th and 5th dan is seen as only the first step into
higher level kendo. Remember that due to the ever increasing time
between dan examinations, the technical difference between first and
second dan will be far closer than the gap between third and fourth dan
and that, quite reasonably, the pass rate is likely to decrease as the
level gets higher. Lastly, to sit on a grading panel should be seen as a
privilege and not an imposition. Please take it seriously. Be modest and
natural, lounging in your chair, eating or drinking during the grading
just looks unprofessional. You owe it to the examinees to be alert,
tidily dressed, sober, confident and sure of what you are looking for.
Ikkyu
Act correctly on the shai jo, be
tidily dressed, show correct etiquette on and off court.
Expect to see the initial rei with the left arm extended (teito).
After rei assume taito posture placing the thumb onto the tsuba.
Judge where to rei in order to reach the sonkyo position in three
steps with the shinai tips just touching. Clothing should be clean
and pressed, not necessarily new. The tenugui should be worn in such
a way that it doesn't slip down during the grading. Check to see
that the men himo are untied properly at the end of the bout and
that the men is not just slipped off. The inside of the men should
be wiped before the face. Have the examinees entered the dojo with
clean feet?
Show correct ashi sabaki and ki ken
tai for ikkyu level.
Note if the examinee steps forward as he stands from sonkyo and
moves in a way conducive to making an attack and not in a crab- wise
direction. Look for a flat left heel, especially moving backwards on
the kendo kata or on the backwards passage of the kiri kaeshi, or
the left foot splayed out. Check that the left foot is not moved as
the shinai is raised, this will indicate that the left foot is not
the motive force. The cuts should coordinate reasonably well with
the stamp of the right foot.
Hold the shinai correctly, cut with
control, cut on target.
See if the hands are holding the shinai from on top, of course in
kata we can see the grip easily but with kote on it's essential to
look at the position of the elbows as the arms are raised to give an
indication of whether the correct grip is employed. Left hand on the
end of the tsuka and right hand near the tsuba especially when
cutting backwards on the kiri kaeshi. Its usually easy to see if the
cuts are controlled but look especially for missed kote cuts that
finish at knee height, also look carefully at the last backwards cut
on the kirikaeshi and note the position of the right arm. The right
arm and the angle of the shinai will also show if a cut is correctly
pushed, `clubbed' up too high and also if it hit the men gane or the
men buton.
Be eager to initiate attacks.
Show reasonable kirikaeshi attacking side only.
-
The hardest thing about the kirikaeshi is if the opponent can't
control the distance and they don't work as a pair (which is quite
probable with the chance system that gradings are). However, here is the
best chance to see the ki ken tai, the cutting action, the footwork etc
unhampered by nerves or the desire to put on a good show for the panel.
Please pay a lot of attention to the attacking side of the kirikaeshi.
Pay careful attention to the aim of the cuts, are they to the head or to
the receiver's shinai?
Show the appropriate kata level for ikkyu
Shodan
- As above and in addition
Be tidily dressed and wearing bogu correctly.
-
The dress code has been covered but look for baggy keikogi rucked up
at the back, do himo that that aren't tied at the back, for over-long
men himo and for kote himo that seem to be coming unravelled. Also pay
attention to men himo that are tied trapping the ears. In kendo kata you
can see if the keikogi is correctly tied with the yoko musubi. Beginners
are very often using club armour and its condition is not always under
their control but tidy equipment is all part of being prepared for the
grading. It may be that the dojo leader needs to be made aware of his
responsibilities for preparing his beginners properly.
Correct chudan kamae and issoku itto ma ai.
-
The shinai tip should be kept in the centre and not allowed to wander
around. We should encourage techniques that are planned from toi maai
and executed from issoku itto maai and not planned from issoku itto maai
and executed from chika maai. Obviously there is an overlap between this
and the next requirement, without the correct maai a correct strike
cannot be made. Please pay attention to the maai on striking.
Correct cutting.
Good kiai, posture and ki ken tai
-
Kiai shouldn't only be heard when making a strike or thrust but also
for building energy and confidence. Posture shouldn't be confused with
posing, putting on an act just looks stiff and wooden. Look for changes
in direction to indicate good balance i.e. when starting to cut
backwards in kirikaeshi after the tai attari.
Show effective zanshin
Two big indications of poor zanshin are
-
Turning after a men attack with the arms already in chudan kamae
compounded by turning clockwise instead of anti clockwise and
-
Passing through to the left after a kote attack compounded by
holding chudan kamae while doing so.
Make at least one good point with strong spirit in each
shiai
-
A good point in each shiai is, I believe, enough, provided that the
point is clean and clear and not a 60-40 `just about' kind of ippon.
Show the appropriate kata level for
Shodan.
Nidan
As above and in addition
Show physical agility and balance, fluid footwork.
-
To make effective
Nidan waza the wrists must be powerful and not the
arms, in kote-men combination watch that the kensen is not pulled
backwards with the right hand before the men is made, the footwork needs
to be well co-ordinated and the body balanced. Watch the balance on the
tai attari in kirikaeshi.
Kirikaeshi with proper rhythm, cutting and receiving
correctly.
-
Both sides of the kirikaeshi should be adequate for the grade, watch
especially for the ability to control the maai so the attacker can cut
in correct distance, men cuts that beat the receivers parry are an
embarrassment to the receiver at this level.
Execute effective Nidan waza
-
Again, one decent Nidan attack, plus of course whatever else is going
on, per shiai would be a reasonable level to expect.
Show the appropriate kata level
for Nidan
Sandan
- as above and in addition
-
Attacks made with intention and never random.
-
Look for attacks that build from toi maai, effective control of the
centre should be shown.
-
Ni-sandan waza with correct footwork.
-
Multiple attacks should be attempted.
-
Two successful strikes in each keiko.
-
Show seme in attacks.
-
Look for the use of the kensen in gaining the centre line as an
attack is initiated, also the use of the kensen to unsettle the
opponent's composure.
Effective zanshin must be shown and acted upon.
Show the appropriate kata level for
Sandan.
Yondan
- as above and in addition
-
Show the self confidence and mental attitude to the
grade.
Live kensen to force the opponent's centre.
Look for men cuts made with no deviation from the centre line.
Control the opponent's movement, control the shiai.
-
Look for the ability to `refuse' the opponent's attack and respond
with an attack in turn, attack and defense should be interchangeable.
Attacks made when opportune.
-
Look for missed or wasted chances, this is a good way to check on
concentration and seme. Attacks should only be made when an opportunity
occurs, or is created. Remember that fast and `busy' are not the same
thing.
Show the appropriate kata level for
Yondan.
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