Shodan, my goal for the future.

[Pan-Chan]

I've been practicing Kendo for about three years now, and I'm wondering about testing for shodan. I know I'm not there yet, but I think I will be in the near future if I can fine tune some things.(As you know much harder said then done.)

I know that you are required to do the first three Kendo kata, some basic waza, kirikaeshi, and then is it two matches? Anyway, I understand that at different ranks, you are expected to be able to apply certain concepts to your shiai Kendo. What is it that one testing for shodan is expected to do during his matches?

I know there are quite a few Kenshi on this forum that have tested for/passed their shodan examination, and any information would be appreciated.

Thank you very much.

[kendokamax]

I think if you show up at your test you will pass for sure :) 99% sure

just don't mind getting scored during the "shiai" part. The judge are looking at your kendo. They almost only need to see one nice men during your match and you will pass.


good luck!
I was also very nervous for my shodan test!
Strangely enough 2nd dan test was much easier!

[darklord]

Don't forget to maintain your kiai, shout loudly when you deliver an attack, and don't wait for your opponent's attack, make sure that you are the one who has the initiative to give the pressure and attack first.

Good luck for the examination.

[m_french]

I know that you are required to do the first three Kendo kata, some basic waza, kirikaeshi, and then is it two matches? Anyway, I understand that at different ranks, you are expected to be able to apply certain concepts to your shiai Kendo. What is it that one testing for shodan is expected to do during his matches?


They only make you do 1-3 in the PNKF???? We have to that for our Ikkyu.

Show confidence, don't get flashy, don't block and you'll do fine.

[Pan-Chan]

Thank you all so much for the help. I will make sure to keep these things in mind when I test(whenever it may be).

[Catherine]

From my experience the examiners will be looking for you to make 2 good cuts in each jigeiko session.

One thing that you need to remember is that your examiners want you to do jigeiko rather than shiai. That said, it is important to show a lot of energy in your shodan exam.

I think it is most important to just do your own kendo. If you have been at practice regularly, that should be enough. The examiners will want to give you your grade and will be looking for reasons to do so.

Good luck.

Catherine

[Fraz]

Shodan in the UK is dependant on the following.

Kata 1-5, written paper, Kirikaeshi and Jigeiko. Below is an excerpt from the BKA website. Sorry about the lack of formatting..

Shodan

Act correctly on the shiai 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. 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 backward 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 is 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 kirikaeshi. It's 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" or "bounces" up too high and also if it hit the men gane or the men buton.
Be eager to initiate attacks
Beginners will often imitate their instructors who may often be using ojiwaza or inviting attacks (sasoi). This may be understandable from the instructor's point of view but is not a good way for beginners to train as they start to rely on trickery. Hikiwaza - yes, nukiwaza - not at this stage.
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 and the desire to put on a good show for the panel, so 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?

The dress code has been covered but look for baggy keikogi at the back, do himo 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 it's all part of being prepared for the grading. It may be that the dojo leader needs to be approached about preparing his beginners adequately.
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
Look at the position of the left hand (in the centre) and of the height of the right arm (extended from the shoulder) on men cuts. Left hand must come above eye height when raising the shinai for a men cut. It is unlikely that do cuts can be made as a shikake waza at this level (if it.s an oji do then it.s more likely to be a panic reaction on being caught half asleep). Look for the position of the elbows on kote cuts which will indicate if the grip is correct or not.
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 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

I think just telling him he's got to turn up and he'll get it is mis-leading. Shodan is where things start heading towards getting serious. After all anyone can get Ikkyu, shodan is the first exam where most people fall over.

Im sure you'll do well Pan-Chan, but you need to work for it, it won't come to you just by sitting on your...Laurels..:)

[yakesumi]

I believe you have to do kata 1-5 in PNKF for shodan as well.

[Pan-Chan]

Well, I think I'll be set for kata whatever number it may be. I know all seven bokuto kata, but there is of course lots of things to work on.

[kendokamax]

pan-chan when are you going to test?

[kanyil]

I think everyone has pretty much covered it.Don't treat shinsa like shiai. Just do your kihon and hit the other guy when you can and always run through, maintain your kamae and posture, have much kiai, don't worry about getting hit yourself. Oh, did I mention always run through after your attacks?

:D Good luck!

[Pan-Chan]

pan-chan when are you going to test?

I'm not quite sure. The sensei at my dojo have mentioned a grading happening in the near future, though. That's all I really know.

[Alex_McGrady]

I think everyone has pretty much covered it.Don't treat shinsa like shiai. Just do your kihon and hit the other guy when you can and always run through, maintain your kamae and posture, have much kiai, don't worry about getting hit yourself. Oh, did I mention always run through after your attacks?

:D Good luck!
do you have to win your match to promote? can you lose your match and still promote?

[Fraz]

No, you don't have to win but you do have to show correct Body form, Kamae, Kiai, footwork, correct grip, cutting distance ,accuracy as well as some nidan waza. A single good cut won't do it.

Best treat it like an exhibition match. You know..? Best kendo, not best Shiai Kendo.

[Masahiro]

I, "personally" encourage everyone to "try" to win. After all kendo is about "defeating" your opponent, not about "losing" with dignity. As my sensei once said so rightfully and I quote "winning is the result of good kendo", then why not try to win? I think most people just associate winning with "weak", "shady", shia oriented waza. And so by placing emphasis on performing good, big, beautiful fundamental kihon as the main focus rather than winning. Perhaps that will serve of more use to most than telling them to "try" to win. In light of this fact, I still say try to win. .. but with ki ken tai itchi, and really do the waza from toma instead of issoku-itto.

[Berugijin]

They only make you do 1-3 in the PNKF???? We have to that for our Ikkyu.

Show confidence, don't get flashy, don't block and you'll do fine. What's wrong with blocking?

[JSchmidt]

What's wrong with blocking?
Well, first of all, it could easily prevent you from passing your grading :D

Jakob

[Berugijin]

Well, first of all, it could easily prevent you from passing your grading :D

Jakob
Why could it easily prevent me from passing my grading? :D

[Stefan]

Why could it easily prevent me from passing my grading? :D
Because blocking is a defensive action and it might show that you have a wrong attitude.

[Danny Boy]

do you have to win your match to promote? can you lose your match and still promote?


Totally agree with what the gentelman from Pittsburg said.
If you cant get a good ippon, something is wrong. Plus, it always looks better no ?

Enjoy the grading, its a great kendo experiance.