kendo written test

[TKO]

I’m going to take my 2nd dan test here in U.S. (From Hong kong) Since this is first time I’m taking test in U.S., With my poor English I’m afraid that I will do very poorly in the written portion of the test. I like to ask all the experienced kendoka here, what to do they ask on your written test?

Thanks so much!

[KENSHIN]

You have to do a written exam!!! I had no idea, or is this an American thing? What will they be testing you on? Will it be the philosophical aspects of kendo or something? Darn’ it the one thing I would be worried about is remembering all the names of the techniques in Japanese.

[TKO]

I think so.... not only my english are very poor! what if they ask me some terms in Japanese???

[mingshi]

Greetings my friend from HK!!

I am taking Shodan at the WKC next month and here're the questions for the wirtten test:-

Shodan-2dan
1. Draw a picture of Kendo-gu and show and describe the Datotsu-bui
2. Explain the correct way to grip 'Shinai'.
3. Explain the meaning of 'Nihon-me for Tachi' of Nippon Kendo Kata.

4Dan-5Dan
1. Among various kinds of Waza, describe 'Shikake-waza' and 'Oji-waza'.
2. Describe the purposes of your Kendo practice briefly.
3. Describe the effects of Nippon Kendo Kata in your Kendo practice.

These are from the AJKF and we can answer in advance. A single page of A4 paper is enough (in Japanese is 300 words).

I really doubt what is the purpose of the written test, since I have never heard of anyone failing a grading due to poor performance in the written test... Now that you don't even have to take the written test for 6Dan and 7Dan!! Also anyone with a Kendo guide book in hand should be able to answer all these question in no time... (actually, all the answers can also be found in the KW forums :p)

BTW as TKO-san is from Hong Kong I suppose you learn the terms in Chinese. Yes, at the moment please brush up your Japanese translation of the terms a bit. It helps in the long run.

[KENSHIN]

Phew...thanks for clearing that up Mingshi. For a second there I was beginning to think that by the time I get to that stage, I would have long nights of Kendo revision to do. Anyway, I think it sounds pretty easy if you are to get the questions in advance.

[Hongsermeier]

You actually have a couple months to get the answers. The test here isn't untill Nov.

[TKO]

Everything I know is in Chinese Term, except “men, kote, do” in keiko.

“Kendo-gu and show and describe the Datotsu-bui” I will FAIL right there!!! I have no idea that these two means.

Any good website where I can get a complete term used in Japanese?

Thanks ahead…


TKO

[Hongsermeier]

http://www.japan-guide.com/amazon.html?4770021194

I recomend this book highly. Everyone I know in Kendo has this book.

[Raiza]

I agree, it's an awesome book. You should have no trouble passing the written exam if you read that one a few times.
One of the questions we were asked during our written exam was "Why do you study kendo?" which is something you'll need to come up with on your own.

I personally prefer the "because men look good in hakama" answer, but that might not work for you.

Good luck!

[Curtis]

If you are taking the test through one of the AUSKF regional federations you can get help by reading the study guide. It can be found at http://www.kendo-usa.org/reference/studyguide.htm.

For terminology there is a basic guide at http://www.eanet.com/sckf/refinfo.htm.

The test questions are usually not given out ahead of time. The questions are different for each rank beginning at 1 kyu. You have a chioce of which question to answer. Do not answer the question verbatim from the study guide. If you do you will probably be asked to do it over.

The object of the questions is not to fail someone, but for you to show your knowledge about kendo concepts. I have administered many of these tests up to 4 dan and we have yet to fail a written test. We just hand it back until the person gets it right.

Hope this helps.

[Inouye02]

TKO, This was brought up in the SCKF meeting last year before the shinsa, if you cannot write in english fluently you do the written test in your native language ( chinese, korean ) etc...a translator will review your test paper...


The test paper is handed out at the meeting usually 1 month before shinsa time , to the dojo reps, for 1kyu and up ...

I have seen answers copied word for word from the study guide, and never has anybody asked to do it over, the papers are handed in the morning of the shinsa, there is not enough time for them to go over each one...

Hongsermier , the shinsa is in October..the 19th I believe...

[Curtis]

Originally posted by Inouye02

The test paper is handed out at the meeting usually 1 month before shinsa time , to the dojo reps, for 1kyu and up ...

I have seen answers copied word for word from the study guide, and never has anybody asked to do it over, the papers are handed in the morning of the shinsa, there is not enough time for them to go over each one...



How interesting. The questions are not supposed to be handed out prior to the test. Do they hand them out right away? To the best of my knowledge they are not handed out in advance in Japan that I have ever seen. You pass the keiko, the kata and then they hand you a written test. For one thing there are just too many people testing at a time to do so. However each federation sets its own standards for the test for up to 4 dan within the regs.

In the PNKF we go over every written test and hand them back at the test or mail them back if necessary. You copy or your answer is too brief and you do over.

I've just looked at the exam sheets and there is 1 question for 1 kyu and 2 each for 1 - 4 dan to choose from. The study guide will be very helpful for the 2 dan questions.

Lastly the questions are not meant to be any big secret. It is simply to show your acquired knowledge/development.

[Inouye02]

in the SCKF you hand in your written test that morning, do the keiko portion, if you pass that , then the kata , and if you wish to stay around you can find out the results if you passed or not...

but...if you dont pass the keiko portion you do not do the kata part..for shodan and above..

for the written part I only had to answer only one of the two questions....


Curtis Sensei , If you recieve your test back does that mean you did not pass the shinsa for the grade you applied for ?

If so then such person would have to wait over a year from the date he passes upon completing the written test again ?

[samurai999]

Of course the Kendo written test is supposed to be fairly easy for the person who knows his/her stuff. But then again, this is not a GRE or a GMAT exam where you analyze an argument or present your perspective on an issue. Just answer the questions (in your preferred language?) to the best of you ability.

Inouye2 and Curtis sensei, same here. We get our questions papers out early as well. I have had only one question when testing for 1kyu or 1dan. I think that we are bound by some "honor code" that we will not write stuff verbatim from a website or from a book or copy off another person. It has to be stated in your own words. Our shinsa starts at like noon and ends like at 4 or 5 so eager parents who want to take their kids home for dinner may do so.. :D We turn in the sheets on the day of the shinsa.

Tim

[Curtis]

No you do not flunk the written part and you do not have to wait. We just have them redo it and give it back. Flunking someone because of the written test would really be unreasonable to me. They always get it on the second try and usually right there on the spot. I pass the written test out at the beginning when they check in.


Our test takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. We run two boards and split it at 1 kyu or 1 dan. That's about 80 to 90 people. I can remember when it took us 4 or 5 hours to do it. I have the paperwork all ready to go. We use large labels for the numbers so we don't have to chalk it on the tare. Also we now excuse the kids and the kyu group when their test group is done.

Same for us on the kata, depending upon the number then no kata if you don't pass the keiko.

Well gotta run.

[Inouye02]

ours start at 9:00am and ends about 3:00pm depending on some examiners who call people back to do kata over again ..

[Hongsermeier]

Inouye....you mean I have to do a written for 1kyu this year???? :cross_eye

[m_french]

Brad, not ot worry ...last year i think the question was "what is the purpose of kirikaeshi" or something like that, and you have a week to write it.:beard:

[Inouye02]

yes brad you have to do a written test , do the kendo, and kata ..

regardless of what you do in kendo , you still do kata ..

it'll probably be the same question this year..

[Hongsermeier]

Speaking of kata...there is noone else at Sho Tokyo going for 1 kyu. I need to find someone for a partner. SUCKS!!!!! :cross_eye

[Nishi]

TKO here are the questions for Nidan in Great Britian-

1.Explain why uchikomi-geiko is important.

2.Describe two types of oji-waza in kendo.

3.Describe the fifth form in nihon kendo no kata and highlight are that require particular attention.

4.Write about ashi-sabaki, and give an example.

The BKA require you to choose two (2) of these questions and write between a half to a full page on each question. However, we get our questions sent to us months before the exam and are allowed to research. We need only turn our papers in on the day when registering for the exam.

I do my Nidan in six weeks, so these questions are current, i hope they help.......and good luck!

[TKO]

nishi,

Thanks so much for the sample questions!... I will look into them :)



TKO

[sjp]

Also from this year the BKA requires that for san-dan and above there is a compulsory question on refereeing and attendance on shimpan seminars.
This in theory is a start towards getting more qualified referees and improving students knowledge in this area.
The first referee seminar ealier this way was very good.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Originally posted by Nishi
1.Explain why uchikomi-geiko is important.

Cuz hitting people over the head really fast is fun.

2.Describe two types of oji-waza in kendo.

Oji he's coming men I'd better do something!
Oji he's coming kote I'd better do something!

3.Describe the fifth form in nihon kendo no kata and highlight are that require particular attention.

Step step step schawing!
Oji he's coming men I'd better do something!
And a miss
Schawing - stop before you split the melon
Back up - look cool
Step step step

4.Write about ashi-sabaki, and give an example.

I'm fresh out of funny. For better funny than me, check out the TAR recaps at Television Without Pity.

[Curtis]

Neil,

LOL LOL LOL

I gotta tell this to my members.....

[Hongsermeier]

Love the oji waza. :cross_eye

[samurai999]

Originally posted by Hongsermeier
Speaking of kata...there is noone else at Sho Tokyo going for 1 kyu. I need to find someone for a partner. SUCKS!!!!! :cross_eye

Come up to Union City for practice again. Nice rubber overlayed cement floor waiting for you. I'll need to start practicing kata for 2dan soon. :D

Tim

[Inouye02]

Tim ,

you havent started to practice your kata yet ?

bad, bad, bad...


Hongsermier you can come to Venice and practice with our student whos going for 1kyu also ..every wednesday before keiko Asai Sensei does kata with who ever wants to learn, or we will practice after keiko ..

[Hongsermeier]

Wed is practice at Sho Tokyo. I'm gonna start brushing up kata at Chuo. Just need to find a partner.

I'm not about to drive way up north for Kata. :cross_eye

[kendomushi]

In Japan we all take the written exam from shodan up. Questions usually are things like,
What benefit do you get from doing kendo?
Describe a certain kamae or kata in detail to include posture, grip, movement, and feeling.
We bow often in kendo, what is the purpose of this?
What is meant by a chance to strike?
etc.

In kanto, we are lucky. There is an american sensei on the renmei and so we can turn in our tests in english.

[samurai999]

Originally posted by Inouye02
Tim ,

you havent started to practice your kata yet ?

bad, bad, bad...



Of course since my achilles tendon has been mending for the past 4 months I haven't really done any real kendo. :P

I think I can start kata from the end of this month. Our test isn't until Nov. I was also practicing 2dan kata with a person who tested last Nov so I think it is just a matter of brisk review.

Tim

[Kendoka]

Originally posted by KENSHIN
You have to do a written exam!!! I had no idea, or is this an American thing?

In Japan for 4 Dan and above the questions are distributed prior to the exam, completed, then handed in at the time that the canidates register their arrival at the examination venue.

In Australia we do the same as above and for 1-3 dan the questions may be handed out after the kata component is completed.

Dealing with the questions at 1 to 4 dan level is just training and preparation for the real written tests that present for 5 dan and above.

Ask your sensei for the questions. He or she may well give them to you or may give you examples of what may be asked.


Good luck.

Richard

[kendomushi]

In the Tokyo area at least, the questions for all dan are passed out before the actual test date. Instructions are to come to the test with completed answers. Instructors are expected to look them over for correctness, then a sampling are pulled by the judges for complete checks as I understand it.

[iwatekenshi]

Originally posted by Kendoka


In Japan for 4 Dan and above the questions are distributed prior to the exam, completed, then handed in at the time that the canidates register their arrival at the examination venue.


Richard


It depends on each prefecture. In Iwate you have a written exam after you take your jitsugi test. It's all the same from first to fifth dan in Iwate.

[Chopstix]

2004 Dan Grading at Picton, NSW, Australia:

Shodan (1st Dan) Answer only one of these questions.
1) What do you want to learn from training in Kendo.
2) Explain Maai.



Nidan (2nd Dan) Answer only one of these questions.
1) Explain why etiquette is important to Kendo.
2) Explain the opportunity for Datotsu.



Sandan (3rd Dan) Answer only one of these questions.
1) Explain why it is important to do Kendo Kata.
2) Explain why it is necessary to do Kiri-kaeshi.


Note:
i) Answers are to be written in English.
ii) There are no formal requirements for the length of the answers, but it
is suggested that they be no more than approximately one A4 page per
question.
iii) Answers may be prepared in advance and must be typed or neatly written
in legible handwriting.
iv) If you choose to prepare your answer/s in advance, then please be sure
to bring them with you on the day, and you will be instructed when to
submit them.