Your views on gradings

[lost_kendoka]

Just being curious, how do you guys feel about gradings?

Why are they there?

In kendo it's a good thing that we don't have belts like some other martial arts because when we go into a shiai we don't wear our grades so your're opponent could think that you're somehwere around 3rd or 4th dan because you look mean and aggresive but you're actually only somewhere around 3rd kyu.

In my opion i think gradings are important but i always seem to stuff up on the kata parts...

[DanDan]

i personally don't think that gradings are that important. it's more important that you are doing it correctly and well. just because you are low in grade doesn't necessarily mean that your not good @ kendo.

[not-I]

In my limited experience, i think one of the many lessons gradings have to offer is doing kendo in an extra-stressfull situation, sort of like shiai. You may be progressing rather well in drills and ji-geiko, but add a commission and an audience and you potentially amplify the four poisons.

If you can still maintain peace of mind and do your best kendo, you have reason to be satisfied, whatever the results. If not, i guess you need to work on your peace of mind. Either way you learn humility.

[kuzu70]

When I was younger I thought that grading was not that important, but my feelings have changed. I still do not believe that grading is everything, but I can see its importance.

[Katonk]

the standards for grading must be low these days. I don't see much of a difference between the adult kyu and the 1/2 dan divisions in many of our tournaments. It's still the same shoving matches with a bunch of indicriminate hitting. There's no waza anymore and whoever is the bigger and stronger kenshi has the advantage.

I think the grading standards need to be stricter to ensure that as kenshi progress through the ranks, the level of skill progresses accordingly.

[Pan-Chan]

I think gradings are important in Kendo for gauging one's progess, and shows a certain amount of responsibility in the kenshi. It also helps motivate lazy kenshi to train, as is the case with a few kids at my dojo.

[John Shin]

I personally like grading. It creates a defined goal, and in my opinion, helps build confidence in the begining (and the advanced) student. My first few tests I was shaking in my hakama, now, I look foward to the tests. I also think it is a good motivational tool. It feels great to pass a test and receive a new rank certificate. Don't get me wrong, techniques, etiquite, focus and form are always first and foremost. But there's nothing like a small challenge (test) to keep you on your toes. If there were no tests and grading, I think students may tend to get a little lazy. This is only my humble opinion. I still have a lifetime of learning when it comes to the arts.


Joe Hibbs

[gsx1100s]

I believe that when a person understands what they want to gain from doing any martial art , then they will see where grading fits into the greater understanding of their study.

Wow I just re-read that , it sounds more like Yoda ...Use the fooorrce Luke....lol:)

cheers Michael

[lost_kendoka]

Thanks for all the posts, now i have a better understanding of gradings in kendo

Good to see that no one has picked the "It's my main purpose in kendo " answer:wink:

I just realised my 1st post in this thread has alot of spelling errors ~ sorry, hope you can make out what most of it says (i was in a rush)
Thanks again :smiley:

[kanyil]

I find that gradings are both depressing and motivating because it shows you how inadequate your progress has been, even if they award you the grade you were testing for.

I was content with the progress of my kendo, and was even experimenting with the more advanced wazas (i.e. katate-men, yoko-men, etc ) until my last shinsa, at which point I realized how much more work I have to do.

[Marquis]

It is not the most important thing about kendo but it has advantages... (in my club at least) the exercises can be different... and I like it when I can train with the higher ranked kendokas. You can learn more.

[Tomo]

The longer I practice Kendo the less grades mean to me personally. Plus I don't think they are really a measure of your physical skill, only the duration of your practice. Though skill often goes with duration.
For example about 6 years ago when I was 1st-kyu we had a 4th dan in my class (since relocated), well he was a wealth of information, (I loved to listen to his stories and experiences, kendo and life) he also had excellent technique etc. but in sparring I almost always had the upper hand, do to youthfull speed? (at the time I was 20 and he was in his 50's) I wondered if he let me make the strikes so I would learn etc. But later I faced him in an actual tournament in "teams competion" I won the bout. However, all my best "waza" I owe to him, I think the point is, duration of study makes you better, not getting grades as quickly as you can. Secondly after a certain point age takes it's toll, so grade is not reflected in pure sparring ability, but grade should reflect knowledge, and kendo maturity.
Cheers,
Tom

[lost_kendoka]

\I like it when I can train with the higher ranked kendokas. You can learn more.
It can also be excellent training with less experienced/beginning kendokas because when you point out the points they need to work on you can also reflect on yourself and ask yourself if you are doing the right kihon (basics), as basics are what makes up the more anvanced parts of kendo.

Thanx

[Neil Gendzwill]

when I was 1st-kyu we had a 4th dan in my class [snip]in sparring I almost always had the upper hand, do to youthfull speed?[snip]I faced him in an actual tournament in "teams competion" I won the bout.
I suspect that his viewpoint of who is "winning" your jigeiko matches differs somewhat from yours. Winning a match in competition against a higher grade is not unusual, especially with a big age difference. But you will find as your kendo matures that what you're looking for personally in your points changes, so that you may look back on your matches with him with a different understanding.