What's the purpose of the written questions?

[dwez]

As the title suggests I'm trying to get a handle on what purpose are the written questions in a grading. As I understand it you are highly unlikely to fail because of it. Watching that National Geographic documentary it implied that in Japan it was a way to generate new knowledge about kendo from current practitioners.

But what about those lower down the grading ladder. What inspirations can a potential first dan pass on? Is this more about explaining beyond your actions your mental knowledge of kendo. If so where will this knowledge primarily come from, experience or books.

I just get the feeling that when I come to write one I will be relying on mainly a number of books as reference and writing a composite of those with about 10% of my own experience. Is this a bad thing? Should I be stating a bibliography? Am I thinking too much about it?

So yeah what's the point?

[nodachi]

There are technical terms that need to be defined and philosophical things that need to be considered. If it weren't for the written test, some people would never think about them. It is motivation for people to study kendo from a different perspective.

[Genya]

I always thought that they test how mature you are mentaly..

[nodachi]

Maybe at the later stages, but the earlier tests ask stuff like what is hikitate keiko or explain the four sicknesses. It's very cut and dry at the early stages.

[Gessho]

Maybe at the later stages, but the earlier tests ask stuff like what is hikitate keiko or explain the four sicknesses. It's very cut and dry at the early stages.

What are the "four sicknesses?"

[a.hong]

What are the "four sicknesses?"

Fear, doubt, confusion, and surprise. Any of these four things leave you open to attacks...or something like that. Anyone care to add to this?

[yoda-waza]

Keiko and kata demonstrate your level of physical capabilities. A written essay demonstrates your level of understanding. The pen is supposedly mightier than the sword, haven't you heard?

[Kenshi]

Guys, you are thinking too hard.


So yeah what's the point?

The purpose of the questions are (at the lower levels... before 7dan or at least your renshi?) are simply to ensure you a) study a little bit about kendo and b) to ensure your ideas about kendo follow the official ZNKR line.

My feeling is that this written paper is for the benefit of children (11 and up), and not adults. This is why the questions are so (ridiculously) easy, especially at lower levels. This method - the one that is used in Japan - has gone abroad and is by and large identical, even down to the questions. The difference being is someone going for shodan in Japan is 13, and abroad it could be anything, generally an adult.

In Japan, you buy a booklet from your local renmei. They issue 3 questions for the grading, 1 of which is mandatory, from the other 2 one will be selected on the day. You study these, then on the day write them VERBATIM. You are not allowed to add your own opinion. This says it all.

Abroad, we dont have to answer verbatim, but we are definetly following the party.... um.... ZNKR line.

I cant comment on the shogo exams, nor kodansha exams, but im guessing it gets more..... real.... at that point.

(p.s. The hardest part of the written exams - say my Japanese friends - is remembering how to write the obscure kanji used)


So yeah what's the point?

The same could be said (in Japan) for kata before 6dan..... seriously. In this aspect, we non-Japanese guys and gals are well in advance. In fact, im tempted to say that gradings outside Japan are more balanced.

[dwez]

In Japan, you buy a booklet from your local renmei. They issue 3 questions for the grading, 1 of which is mandatory, from the other 2 one will be selected on the day. You study these, then on the day write them VERBATIM. You are not allowed to add your own opinion. This says it all.

So dp you mean they are given the answers?

I'm just confused as I'm pretty sure 90% will come from a collection of books so is this a bad thing or is that what it's supposed to be? Obviously we have to get this info from somewhere but it just feels like a research note of other peoples work if it is. I'm just not used to being so reliant on the opinions of others.

[Reiver]

As Kenshi has outlined, written exams in Japan are by rote. The phrase "you are not allowed to add you own opinion" is very telling. I think that possibly you are allowed a little more freedom in the shogo exams but even then I don't think you can stray from orthodox thinking too much.

I know here in the UK, for the lower levels the questions are ridiculously easy, the answers can be found in a book, or by asking a reliable sempai, but the fact that you have to write down "10 parts of the shinai" or "describe fumikomi" or whatever fixes them in the mind a bit. The questions require more thought at 4th dan and above, as they tend to ask things like "write a short essay on shu ha ri", and a snappy one line reply will not suffice, and at 4th dan kendo the question on refereeing is mandatory.

I have copies of my 3rd, 4th and 5th dan answers, and some of the questions have been the same. It's very interesting to compare the answers that illustrate my level of understanding at the time.

Yes, you can learn kendo without doing written exams, at least in the early years, but at higher levels, reading around the subject, discussing concepts with senior teachers adds a lot to kendo (and iaido and jodo). I would qualify this by saying that in Japan higher level is perhaps Renshi and above, whereas here in the UK, with many dojos being run by 3rd, 4th and 5th dans, higher level probably starts at 4th dan.

The pen being mightier than the sword is western thinking, and Shakespeare made comment on the fact that rhyme will outlast the mighiest prince. In a Japanese context it is "bunbu ichi", the pen and sword are one. Perhaps the written exams are a nod to this.

[JSchmidt]

What George said: They are there to make you study.

[Reiver]

One more thing. The most difficult (and easiest) question I have been asked in a written kendo exam is "Why do you practice Kendo?" I hadn't practiced very long and the only answer I could think of at the time was "I enjoy it". I was told afterwards that it was a bit cheeky as they expected the usual regurgitation of the mental/physical/spiritual benefits, but it was an honest answer so they let it pass.

[Kenshi]

So dp you mean they are given the answers?

Yup.

Gaving added some more detail with regards to the U.K.... im slowly forgetting what its like over there.... so please take his post as stone for your situation.


"Why do you practice Kendo?"..."I enjoy it".

heh heh at least your didnt write "I'm in it for the girls" .......

[Reiver]

heh heh at least your didnt write "I'm in it for the girls" .......

I know someone who started naginata for exactly that purpose. I suppose that's an honest answer too.

[lost_kendoka]

Someone did start kendo for me = =...didnt impress me much. I guess he'll have to write that if it does come up as a question.

[dwez]

One more thing. The most difficult (and easiest) question I have been asked in a written kendo exam is "Why do you practice Kendo?" I hadn't practiced very long and the only answer I could think of at the time was "I enjoy it". I was told afterwards that it was a bit cheeky as they expected the usual regurgitation of the mental/physical/spiritual benefits, but it was an honest answer so they let it pass.

So you're the reason we have to write a side of A4 now is it?

[Gideon]

To see if you know the answers.

[Reiver]

The longer answers come in later, at higher grades. The BKA instituted written exams just as I was starting, and in a fit of overenthusiasm made everyone, including ikkyu candidates do a written test. This was later modified.