atgm
よく学びよく遊べ

I just noticed you left me a quick note on 9/6 regarding our new dojo in Boynton.

I am sorry for the delay; I am not very active in the forums.

Next time you are in Florida, please do visit. The dojo is doing well; there are now 9 of us, and we would love to do kendo with you.

Take care, and feel free to get in touch with me better through our webiste at http://sedokankendo.yolasite.com/

Regards,



Eugenio

In America, one year must pass after ikkyu, one year after shodan, 2 years after nidan, 3 years after sandan etc. And since basically nobody takes ikkyu during their first grading (unless they've been training for several years and never got graded). Its basically impossible to reach shodan in less than 3 years. If you make shodan in 3 years that means you're something special. That why I was so suprised you made shodan in one year.

Isn't that.....rather soon? I don't want to be insulting but I've never heard of someone earning a 1st dan in one year in any martial art. And I thought that one year had to pass after ikkyu to go for shodan. 3-5 years is the norm for most martial arts including kendo. Wow, you must be really good to have made shodan in one year, especially in Japan.

I read your blog, so did you make first dan after one year of kendo?