After one year...

[rainmaker]

Well, it is getting about one year since I have started Kendo. Just wondering what kind of rank you have after one year ? I am still 6 kyu, went to Shiai couple of time already and won few games. Unfortunately, we do not have rank exam often here, I am luck to practice Kendo right now. I am sure every dojo and kendoka is different but want to get some general idea.

[KingCanute]

how often do you practice? could be anything from 2nd kyu to 2nd dan.

[rainmaker]

Well, it is getting about one year since I have started Kendo. Just wondering what kind of rank you have after one year ? I am still 6 kyu, went to Shiai couple of time already and won few games. Unfortunately, we do not have rank exam often here, I am luck to practice Kendo right now. I am sure every dojo and kendoka is different but want to get some general idea.
I practice at least once a week. I used to do it twice a week but due to long distance, I cannot do it anymore.. Wow someone can actually get to 2nd Dan in first year ???

[chaichaikun15]

I practice at least once a week. I used to do it twice a week but due to long distance, I cannot do it anymore.. Wow someone can actually get to 2nd Dan in first year ???
uh... no

iono what that other guy is talking about, but its pretty... impossible to get 2 dan in one year. the only way to do that is to like... go to japan, and practice every day for a whole year, and then go back home to take your test. im not saying anything about anyone sucking, but japan's level is much higher.

wait... im getting off topic.

you could go for 4 kyu, or even 3 kyu if you're up for it. it took me 10 years to get 2 dan, but thats probably because i started really young. but think about it... would you really want to go up against someone who's done kendo for 10 years, when youve only done it for one? probably not...

just go at your own pace... no need to rush

[JSchmidt]

I practice at least once a week. I used to do it twice a week but due to long distance, I cannot do it anymore.. Wow someone can actually get to 2nd Dan in first year ???
No, not even in Japan, as you have to wait 1 year between 1st and 2nd dan.

Jakob

[Neil Gendzwill]

would you really want to go up against someone who's done kendo for 10 years, when youve only done it for one? probably not...
Just a hazard of starting as an adult - you can get 2 dan in 3 or 4 years depending on country, but it still ain't gonna help you fighting that 17 year old nidan kid who's been in the dojo since he could walk and has only been held back due to age requirements... and is probably a sensei's son...

[rainmaker]

Oh, no don't get me wrong. I AM NOT IN A RUSH TO GET TO HIGHER RANK. I am just curious about where I should be. Yes, I know Japanese and Korean Kendoka practice everyday and I am sure it makes a lot of difference !!! Darn, I wish I can do that too...


uh... no

iono what that other guy is talking about, but its pretty... impossible to get 2 dan in one year. the only way to do that is to like... go to japan, and practice every day for a whole year, and then go back home to take your test. im not saying anything about anyone sucking, but japan's level is much higher.

wait... im getting off topic.

you could go for 4 kyu, or even 3 kyu if you're up for it. it took me 10 years to get 2 dan, but thats probably because i started really young. but think about it... would you really want to go up against someone who's done kendo for 10 years, when youve only done it for one? probably not...

just go at your own pace... no need to rush

[Holmgren-san]

Well, I've been doing kendo for about 5-6 months and I'm 6th kyu(only in bogu a few weeks).

But for people doing kendo for about a year: I know two different people from two nearby dojos that have been in kendo for a little over a year and they're both ikkyu, testing for shodan(I believe) at an upcoming tournement this month- November 13th to be exact.



-Holmgren-san

[Kendo-Militia]

Just a hazard of starting as an adult - you can get 2 dan in 3 or 4 years depending on country, but it still ain't gonna help you fighting that 17 year old nidan kid who's been in the dojo since he could walk and has only been held back due to age requirements... and is probably a sensei's son...
I agree. Why do you guys want rank so bad so fast? Do you have such low self esteem that you need a piece of paper giving yu a rank? And I am upset there are senseis out there that would allow students to go up for I kyu or Shodan in less than 2 years. Guys that come up too fast are the ones I personally make them regret thier choice on going up for rank fast. Yeah I maybe wrong for doing this but thats me. Kendo takes years, decades to learn. I don't see how soemone doing Kendo for less than 2 years have good foundations to go for Shodan.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I don't see how soemone doing Kendo for less than 2 years have good foundations to go for Shodan.
Well, now you're letting your personal opinion of what should or shouldn't be shodan into the mix. IKF has declared that two years is enough experience, so that's what we work with. Just as people shouldn't be concerned about having a piece of paper, why should it concern you that someone else has that piece of paper? They'll find out what's what on the floor soon enough.

[T.Lee]

ive been doing it for about 2 years, testing next week for sankyu (very much) although many ppl who've met me said i should test for at least nikyu. it wouldnt matter, ill test for ikkyu in SCKF next year in the fall, same as i would have if i stayed in NCKF in their 6 month testing schedule. but im finding NCKF compared to SCKF is generally a bit more conservative with rank, perhaps more so because they test twice a year now since they start adult kyu at 6th kyu and dont let ppl easily skip a rank in kyu. SCKF generally starts at 4th and only tests once per year and many will skip at least one rank til ikkyu.

im personally not in any rush, what rank i am at this point doesnt affect me or my kendo. but i dont think my kendo is anywhere near ikkyu at the moment and plus, the next two years til i test for shodan is gonna be great for sandbagging at the tournaments!

[don quixote]

I've been practicing on average two times a week since early this year, and I now have 3. kyu. I may be able to make 2. kyu in december, but I'm not sure... :rolleyes: If I pass I will be 2. kyu after allmost one year...

I think your early progress depends quite a lot on where you practice. Here in Norway we are not given any grade before 4. kyu, so even though I'm 3. kyu I've only passed two gradings. This summer I saw some crazy german 3. kyus who would certainly have passed 1. kyu most places, if not shodan. Strange.

[Kendo-Militia]

Well, now you're letting your personal opinion of what should or shouldn't be shodan into the mix. IKF has declared that two years is enough experience, so that's what we work with. Just as people shouldn't be concerned about having a piece of paper, why should it concern you that someone else has that piece of paper? They'll find out what's what on the floor soon enough.

Neil I appoligize for letting my opnions and emotions get to me. The reason it bothers me about what rank people have is I am tired of seeing guys get rank not on Kendo alone but because politically help. They help out the organizations, they are officers of the organization, whatever. But then their head grows. All of a sudden they expect everyone to call them , "Sensei ______________" . True they will get theirs on the court. Maybe I need to relax on this but it bothers me. These are the guys that cheapen a rank and Kendo. Maybe in Canada you guys don't have these arrogant a$$ people. Unfortunately we do.

[JSchmidt]

Guys that come up too fast are the ones I personally make them regret thier choice on going up for rank fast.
Hmm..maybe it was a good thing that I didnt get to practice with you<G>.

Jakob, 2 year to shodan, Jakob

[Kendo-Militia]

Hmm..maybe it was a good thing that I didnt get to practice with you<G>.

Jakob, 2 year to shodan, Jakob
There are always exceptions to the rule.

[rainmaker]

Neil I appoligize for letting my opnions and emotions get to me. The reason it bothers me about what rank people have is I am tired of seeing guys get rank not on Kendo alone but because politically help. They help out the organizations, they are officers of the organization, whatever. But then their head grows. All of a sudden they expect everyone to call them , "Sensei ______________" . True they will get theirs on the court. Maybe I need to relax on this but it bothers me. These are the guys that cheapen a rank and Kendo. Maybe in Canada you guys don't have these arrogant a$$ people. Unfortunately we do.
Kendo-Militia, yes, I believe your emotion get you somehow. I am 36 years old and rank is not so important to me. I don't plan to open my dojo nor trying to compete at the WKC. I am just happy to practice Kendo with my 6 year old son. And yes, I am planning for long term practice for the sake of myself. Why do I ask for rank ? What is so wrong asking such question ? There is no such thing as stupid question in the world. As a matter of fact, I insist my son to ask me question all the time. I thought Kendo is being about positive attitude, not negative. I don't care what kind of political experience you had before but my question is not relevant with what you wrote up there. Maybe some students deserve to get 1st or 2nd Dan in first year. But you don't need to be hostile. Unless you are being jealous about others get their rank faster than you did.....

[T.Lee]

there may be no such thing as a stupid question, but that sure doesnt mean there are no stupid people.

[rainmaker]

there may be no such thing as a stupid question, but that sure doesnt mean there are no stupid people.

I just hope you don't think I am stuipid people...

[Kendo-Militia]

Maybe some students deserve to get 1st or 2nd Dan in first year. But you don't need to be hostile. Unless you are being jealous about others get their rank faster than you did.....[/QUOTE]


There are cases where people do deserve their rank in their first year. I agree, but then there are hundreds more that do not. There will always be exceptional Kendoist as beginners. But these are rare. Not everyone can be like Mike. ( Jordan) ANd please do not say Kobe is like M.j.

[Masahiro]

Dear Rainmaker,

delighted to hear about your advancements in kendo in just one short year. Keep up the good work.

p.s. I have not known or personally met anyone who is good enough to qualify for Nidan in just one year! If I did meet someone who is that good, yes I would be very jealous! in fact, I would just idolized them and bug them non-stop until they tell me their secret!

[menken]

Rank is important to many although nobody I know who's been around for 10 years or more even thinks about rank anymore. But nidan in 1 year is a mockery of the ranking system. Cash donations maybe?...

[Ayame]

I've been training for 3 months and I'm about to take 4 kyu this december and I will probably take 3 kyu in the spring, However I train 7 hours a week and takes my kendo seriously.

[Chook]

I've been going for two years and will be testing for nikyu nxt February.

I've missed a grading though (last August)

[rainmaker]

1) Maybe some students deserve to get 1st or 2nd Dan in first year. But you don't need to be hostile. Unless you are being jealous about others get their rank faster than you did.....

2) I agree. Why do you guys want rank so bad so fast? Do you have such low self esteem that you need a piece of paper giving yu a rank? And [/QUOTE]
=> Kendo-Militia, I didn't mean to be hostile to anyone. I am not jealous of anyone. I told you I am still 6 kyu. If I really want to go up rank, I had many chances and I probably have done so. But as I said earlier, rank is not my priority. I want to practice with my son and I want to show that his dad is doing his best. As I said earlier, I started this thread because of curiosity.

=> You were questioning about my self-esteem because I have asked such question. I take it as hostile.

Again, I do not mean to cause any trouble with this thread. I had a chance to ask to 5th dan sensei this evening and he already told me what I need to hear. He didn't told pointed out about my low self esteem..

[rainmaker]

Dear Rainmaker,

delighted to hear about your advancements in kendo in just one short year. Keep up the good work.

p.s. I have not known or personally met anyone who is good enough to qualify for Nidan in just one year! If I did meet someone who is that good, yes I would be very jealous! in fact, I would just idolized them and bug them non-stop until they tell me their secret!
Arigato Masahiro-san !!!

[Andoru]

I agree with the "let your kendo speak for yourself" part.

In terms of whether rank is representative of a person's kendo, I can only say with heavy generalisation of course that the dan grades are more clear-cut in this context. Kyu grades are very muddy.

[rainmaker]

I agree with the "let your kendo speak for yourself" part.

In terms of whether rank is representative of a person's kendo, I can only say with heavy generalisation of course that the dan grades are more clear-cut in this context. Kyu grades are very muddy.
=> I like "let your Kendo speak for yourself."

[nicuma]

ive been doing kendo for about 3 months and i went to a grading last month or so and i thot i could have actually graded (6thkyu) .... but it got me thinking that why should i really care so much about grading too quickly...i mean everyone would like to get a rank and everything..i know i do...but i know a few people who has been doing it for 1year and a half who just went for grading on the day i watched....

so i do really agree on the notion "let the kendo speak for itself"


i went for practise the week after watching the grading thinkin i couldve graded but during practise then and only then did i realise that i wasnt as good as i thought i was....i was pretty arrogant at 1st but now i've come to realise that it shouldnt matter to much as what grade one has but its the genuine spirit and personality of those practising kendo that really matters.

well, that's my 2 cents.... :wink:

insignificant maybe but i feel much better saying what i have to say...

[darklord]

Well, now you're letting your personal opinion of what should or shouldn't be shodan into the mix. IKF has declared that two years is enough experience, so that's what we work with. Just as people shouldn't be concerned about having a piece of paper, why should it concern you that someone else has that piece of paper? They'll find out what's what on the floor soon enough.
In Japan you can get shodan in one year, if you practice often and hard enough. From what I hear and see here, 3th dan is oftenly still considered to be beginner, 4-th is considered as the starting point of being the real kendoka. Off course this may be different in other people's opinion.

[rainmaker]

In Japan you can get shodan in one year, if you practice often and hard enough. From what I hear and see here, 3th dan is oftenly still considered to be beginner, 4-th is considered as the starting point of being the real kendoka. Off course this may be different in other people's opinion.
Very good information.... Thanks~~ I love to learn something new..

[Oyabun]

I would have to assume that the reason you are moving so slowly is because you're only training about once a week. By that pace, you would have only done 52 training sessions over the past year. According to my records, I took my 5th-kyu test after 59 training sessions. But it only took me a few months since I have class every day.

[rainmaker]

I would have to assume that the reason you are moving so slowly is because you're only training about once a week. By that pace, you would have only done 52 training sessions over the past year. According to my records, I took my 5th-kyu test after 59 training sessions. But it only took me a few months since I have class every day.
Very good point indeed.. No wonder Kendokas in Japan and Korea are very good.

[kanyil]

Excellent point! I wonder why no one has raised it earlier. It is probably more accurate to gauge someone's kendo age by reference to the actual time spent in practice (i.e. 600 practice hours), as opposed to time spent "doing kendo" in general (i.e. learning kendo for 2 years, etc).

There is likely a difference between a person who clocks 156 kendo practice hours per year (i.e. 3 hour sessions, once a week) and a person who clocks 780 kendo hours a year (i.e. 3 hour sessions, 5 times a week).

[ace]

well after i had done kendo for 1 year 2 trainings a week i was 3rd kyu so 104 trainings.
at my first grading went from nothing to 5th at my 2nd grading went from 5th to 3rd and so 2 gradings a year. and i got my 3rd kyu

[D'Artagnan]

After 1 yr - Shodan

Have now been practising for 2yrs and 2 months - Nidan

You get back what you put in, simple as that.

[Stimpson J. Cat]

You get back what you put in, simple as that.
With an adjustment factor for your physical abilities, if you're in general a great athlete, you'll likely move up faster than if your athletic abilities resemble mine:down:, given the same level of dedication .

[Kaede]

As my fellow Scandinavians have stated earlier, our first grading is for 4th kyu.
The requirements of skill is pretty much basic...
What is the skill requirements of 1-3 kyu? I mean kyu by kyu? Can't be too much...or...

I ask this because I wonder if it could be a good "carrot" for beginners. They have a tendency of not wanting to continue after a while. Maybe this could be looked upon as a short term goal to aim for. At least untill they realise that Kendo is so much more than gradings and rank...

Oh, I know that some might never realise this, but they have to work harder. No more easy goals. Rank-chasers usually quit when they actually have to struggle to get what they want.

What do you think? // Kaede

[rainmaker]

I guess to summarize this thread, most people get ikkyu to shodan after one year of practice. I am sure it is depend on how often you practice and different dojo have different guidelines. This is again from my curiosity and I am sure we all know let your kendo speak for yourself. However, my experience so far is that I can also comfortably keiko with ikkyu to shodan. More to practice !!!

[Stimpson J. Cat]

most people get ikkyu to shodan after one year of practice. For most people outside of Japan, I don't believe that's true, that is to say, I think D'Artagnan is considerably ahead of the curve, I've seen people say 2-3 years to shodan is typical, which is closer to what I've seen.

[misterkurukuru]

dammmmmmmmmmm youzzzzzzzzzz guyzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

it took me 6 years to get shodan!!!!!!!!!
of course i started when i was 8 years old

[moocow65]

dammmmmmmmmmm youzzzzzzzzzz guyzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

it took me 6 years to get shodan!!!!!!!!!
of course i started when i was 8 years old

I hear ya. One loooong year doing basics with no bogu. Took me 8 or 9 years to get my shodan. I have three problems with people going up in the ranks too quickly. The first one is that they get extremely cocky, especially when they get their shodan and yondan (now considered a sensei). I personally don't want anybody like that bringing their cocky attitude in my dojo, and I think kendo-militia feels the same way. The way they use their rank to push people around and act like a$$holes just isn't welcome. You'll get kicked out of dojos for doing that. I know people who have experienced this. Secondly, when people who CLEARLY do not deserve a certain rank, oh let's say 3-dan, but they get it anyways, it lowers the meaning of the rank. A 3-dan nowadays isn't even close to what a 3-dan was 10 years ago. A 3-dan today is like an 1-kyu 10 years ago. The level of quality and dedication to the art has severely diminished, almost to the point where a guy doing kendo for 3 years could pass as a 3-dan. Additionally, the testing here, as kendo-militia said, is heavily based on one's contribution to kendo. That's all good, but these testings are supposed to be based on one's skill and knowledge of kendo. If contributions are supposed to count, then there should be a scoring of that, but there isn't. This may sound rather harsh and arrogant, but I wouldn't expect myself to "learn" from a "sensei" whose kendo knowledge and skill is greatly inferior to mine even if that sensei was a 6-dan or 7-dan. And if they were cocky jerks, then I definitely won't listen to them.
Thirdly, I think it should take at least 4 to 5 years to become a shodan. Why? If you're a 1-year shodan, I will see you in the same light as a 10-year shodan, meaning that I will do nito, tsuki, and gyaku-do to you regardless of how long you've been doing the art, simply because you're a yudansha. Clearly, people who have only been doing kendo for a year or two wouldn't be able to handle it, and it would ruin their form because they haven't been doing kendo long enough to develop a good base.
That's my 252 cents.

[Neil Gendzwill]

A 3-dan nowadays isn't even close to what a 3-dan was 10 years ago.
I don't think the standard has really changed all that much in Canada. I got my shodan about 20 years ago, after a little more than 2 years practice. By all reports, it's about a similar time for an adult beginner in Japan.

Of course at the time I would have gotten my butt kicked by any 14 year old nisei kid who just got shodan, but most of them have been practising since they were in kindergarten and just held back by age requirements.

[rainmaker]

I think your statement was lot of generalization and demeaning other kendoka. I have been heard from many senseis that it is common that younger kids like you take longer time to get shodan. Even though you are much faster and better than other adult shodan, they wouldn't give it to you so soon. I am sure you know that reason.

Most 6th and 7th dan sensei I met are very good. I am lucky to visit or meet many different senseis from various dojo but I respect all of them for their achievement. Some of them are 70 years old and yes their skills and speed are much slower than other younger shodan and yondan. But I am not respecting those sensei's skill. I respect their dedicaiton, sprit and efforts to teach younger kendoka.

It is unfortunate that you have met many cocky and arrogant shodan and bad 6th and 7th dan sensei. It sounds like you are also disrespect others because you think they do not deserve what they got. Sometime, I think some of kendoka get their shodan little bit too early. However, it is not my right to say right or worng. It is one thing they need figure out or eventually will find out themselves. As one of kendoka mentioned earlier, let their kendo speak for themselves....

So, please do not derespect others because they get their shodan earlier.


I hear ya. One loooong year doing basics with no bogu. Took me 8 or 9 years to get my shodan. I have three problems with people going up in the ranks too quickly. The first one is that they get extremely cocky, especially when they get their shodan and yondan (now considered a sensei). I personally don't want anybody like that bringing their cocky attitude in my dojo, and I think kendo-militia feels the same way. The way they use their rank to push people around and act like a$$holes just isn't welcome. You'll get kicked out of dojos for doing that. I know people who have experienced this. Secondly, when people who CLEARLY do not deserve a certain rank, oh let's say 3-dan, but they get it anyways, it lowers the meaning of the rank. A 3-dan nowadays isn't even close to what a 3-dan was 10 years ago. A 3-dan today is like an 1-kyu 10 years ago. The level of quality and dedication to the art has severely diminished, almost to the point where a guy doing kendo for 3 years could pass as a 3-dan. Additionally, the testing here, as kendo-militia said, is heavily based on one's contribution to kendo. That's all good, but these testings are supposed to be based on one's skill and knowledge of kendo. If contributions are supposed to count, then there should be a scoring of that, but there isn't. This may sound rather harsh and arrogant, but I wouldn't expect myself to "learn" from a "sensei" whose kendo knowledge and skill is greatly inferior to mine even if that sensei was a 6-dan or 7-dan. And if they were cocky jerks, then I definitely won't listen to them.
Thirdly, I think it should take at least 4 to 5 years to become a shodan. Why? If you're a 1-year shodan, I will see you in the same light as a 10-year shodan, meaning that I will do nito, tsuki, and gyaku-do to you regardless of how long you've been doing the art, simply because you're a yudansha. Clearly, people who have only been doing kendo for a year or two wouldn't be able to handle it, and it would ruin their form because they haven't been doing kendo long enough to develop a good base.
That's my 252 cents.

[misterkurukuru]

yeazzz moozzzcowzzz, yozuzz havezzz tozzz disrespectzzz themzzzz dammzzzzz senseizzzzzzzzzz dat give themzzzz da rankzzzz(oh Ali G). the adults are told by thier sensei to go test, they dont know that they are going into it like lambs to the slaughter. But you know what the say, "if we dont give them rank, they will stop doing kendo." my feeling is (as a sensei), people should have atleast 5 years under thier belt before they get shodan. We dont have 0 kyu, 6 kyu, 5, ky, ect. for nothing yazzz knowzzzz. of course some people can jump ahead, but thats only a select few.

neil sensei, most adults that start kendo do not have your dedication.
you got your shodan 20 years ago and you are still here to speak to us today. how many of them will still be around in 20 years to banter with the moocows and kuru kuru's of the future? :smiley: (20 years!!!! bow down!!!! give props!!!!)

The way i like to take care of cocky adults( if there are any) is by making them sit under/ behind/to the left of the kids. WHy you may ask!!!! becuase the kids have prob. doing kendo longer. a senpai in the dojo is a senpai in the dojo, but once you step outside, then regular society kicks in....and the adults drive to a home that they own or are paying for:in thier cars that they own or are paying for: and the kiddies wait for mommy and daddy to show up and give them juice money!!! see it all works out in the end!! :smoker:

[Neil Gendzwill]

Did the math, it's actually 19 years since shodan. No props till next year!

I kinda like the 2 years for shodan thing - demystifies it and makes it so you can't get all worked up about the whole black belt thing. What reasonable person would think they're some kind of hotshot after only 2 years? My reaction at the time was "wow, I suck and I still got shodan - must be that shodan is just a beginning grade". And you look at the characters for shodan and that's what they mean. Whaddayaknow.

[rainmaker]

Well, unfortunately, Kendo doesn't give you a rank because of nice personality. Cocky person will be always cocky and arrogant because of they are, not because they got shodan.. Agree with misterkyrukuru-san, if someone is higher rank, they should sit on higher sit... Doesn't matter if they are young or old.. !!!




The way i like to take care of cocky adults( if there are any) is by making them sit under/ behind/to the left of the kids. WHy you may ask!!!! becuase the kids have prob. doing kendo longer. a senpai in the dojo is a senpai in the dojo, but once you step outside, then regular society kicks in....and the adults drive to a home that they own or are paying for:in thier cars that they own or are paying for: and the kiddies wait for mommy and daddy to show up and give them juice money!!! see it all works out in the end!! :smoker:

[Vortex]

Did the math, it's actually 19 years since shodan. No props till next year!

I kinda like the 2 years for shodan thing - demystifies it and makes it so you can't get all worked up about the whole black belt thing. What reasonable person would think they're some kind of hotshot after only 2 years? My reaction at the time was "wow, I suck and I still got shodan - must be that shodan is just a beginning grade". And you look at the characters for shodan and that's what they mean. Whaddayaknow.

I agree with you. I got Ikkyu after about nine or ten months. Three days a week, two at the dojo and one on my day off at home. I also read every kendo book I can get my hands on. They know me well at Barnes and Noble. I will test for shodan in March. I think it will be a little over a year and half at that time. I watched the tape I had from testing for Ikkyu and in my opinion I think it was terrible. I will probably think the same for Shodan as well. Does getting Ikkyu or even Shodan, or even Nidan later in life mean I'm the next hotshot swordsman? No, because no matter how good you think you are, there will always be someone better to put you in your place. I didnt feel any different when I got Ikkyu, and I think I wont feel any different for Shodan either. Does that mean with higher rank I am somehow different or better than the next one in the dojo? Of course not. I am not sure how other dojo mates relate to each other at different dojos, but at mine for the majority of us we have a "brotherly" feel to it. We get to the dojo, we fight one another, help eachother and after class we go out for food and drinks together and talk kendo all night. There is no ... attitude.. for lack of a better word when Yondan, Sandans, Shodans, Ikkyus, and even down to the new girl .. no attitude like " Mudanshas arent worthy to be eating with us " At our dojo we look at it as we are all students of the sword, and rank shouldnt be a reason why we cant all respect and learn from eachother. Now maybe I am lucky to be at such a tight knit dojo, but maybe there are some out there that dont realize that, with rank should come humility. Sure a Sandan can wipe the floor with a Nikyu, but why would the Sandan need or even want to?

Got a little off topic with this "novel size" reply....

[Masahiro]

Vortex-san, just out of curiosity, are you planning on testing in Cleveland in March?

[kendokamax]

i think 5 years would be way too long for adult kendoka.

I hate what they do in many places where it takes about 6months to get one more kyu level! geez that way they put way too much importance on grade.

[Twobitmage]

by not making tests that often, wouldn't that make it less of a big thing?

[Mizukaze]

Of course at the time I would have gotten my butt kicked by any 14 year old nisei kid who just got shodan, but most of them have been practising since they were in kindergarten and just held back by age requirements.
Adding on to what Neil said, I think rank is nothing more then a tag that says: "I met the specific rank's requirements!" Apart from that, you can't really single out how skilled a kendoka is by mere rank. Nothing can replace the value of time and experience.

On another note, good question Rainmaker! I was wondering about that myself. :D

[Lloromannic]

After one year I had to wait only one more year before I got to wear bogu.
It was my choice though. I chose to stay in the boguless kihon practice for a lot longer than required and I can say it has paid off. So in two weeks, after 2 and a half years I will take my ikkyu test.

[kendokamax]

After one year I had to wait only one more year before I got to wear bogu.
It was my choice though. I chose to stay in the boguless kihon practice for a lot longer than required and I can say it has paid off. So in two weeks, after 2 and a half years I will take my ikkyu test.

you might think so but maybe you would have improved better by having the bogu in the first year... and maybe not

[Andoru]

In Australia, you get shodan in 3 years given 2 shinsa per year, and if you're good enough to skip 2 grades. We have to wait a year after obtaining ikkyu before we can attempt shodan.

[Vortex]

Masahiro-san... I tested last march in Cleveland for Ikkyu but this year I think we are skipping Cleveland in favor of Detriot.

[rainmaker]

I have seen many people mentioned about rank is not that important but after few days of thought, sometime rank is very important. Rank sometimes is only measurement to find out where you are. You can also figure out what has to be done and know what you have achieved. Have you guys seen one of the National Geographics movie showing about Hachi-dan test ? I have seen many 7th dan senseis going there to take a test. One of 70 years old 7th dan sensei is going there every year to test for 8th dan, even though he didn't get it at the end. He is practicing everyday to get to next level. Only way, he knows he has achived to next level was 8th dan. Can you dare to say they are all wrong ? No. They all want to know how much they have achieved for last few decades. I really do respect for what they have done. Reading this thread, every school has different way of ranking their students. Sometimes, they do get rank faster than others. I see some students feel jealous or feel uncomfortable about this. I also agree with let their Kendo speak themselves. My second conclusion with this thread ? Kendo can be very boring and has to be persistant and lonely. If getting higher rank will modivate you, so be it. For now, I will work my ass off to get my shodan for now!!!

[Neil Gendzwill]

Adding on to what Neil said, I think rank is nothing more then a tag that says: "I met the specific rank's requirements!" Apart from that, you can't really single out how skilled a kendoka is by mere rank. Nothing can replace the value of time and experience.

Actually I think kendo rank is usually a pretty good general index for skill. Aside from grading anomolies, a guy with 4 dan is usually stronger than a guy with 3 dan. By stronger I mean, better kendo in those areas we look at in the grading, which is to say better "pure" kendo, not necessarily more likely to win in a tournament. If I'm playing someone new, I can usually guess what dan he is. I think the reason for this is because we test the candidates against each other, unlike many other martial arts where rank tests are just demonstrations of waza or kata. If you can't get any points against other candidates of your rank, you don't pass (or shouldn't).

In the case of those kids who have been held back by age, their skill is usually ahead of their rank. But by the time they hit 3 dan or so it's evened out.

[Gerald Audette]

I started as an adult, and was ikkyu after about 8mo - 1 yr. Then 2 yrs to shodan, and almost did not make that one. I recall asking the sensei on the panel what I needed to do and was told in no uncertain terms that I barely passed. It really opened my eyes, and made me want to improve my kendo for when I saw these sensei next. Gradings are interesting points in your progress in kendo - they show you where you are and where you need to improve. There tends to be a few "special" gradings IMHO, and you can use them to gauge your progress. Your first - this is the first time you are up in front of a panel to show your kendo. The next would be perhaps sandan - my thought here is that its the point you get in kendo where you are not so concerned about "winning" as proper kendo. And third would likely be godan - where you can "go it alone" and are considered a sensei. Hopefully, with enough practice, I'll get to that point someday. :rolleyes: