Fifth dan written test cheat sheet

[Nanbanjin]

I'm going to have a crack at translating some of the info from
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/aaa/tagi2/gakka/godan.htm

I'm going to really rush this so sorry if the translations are less than faithful sometimes. Here are the first two questions and answers.

1. Virtues nurtured by kendo training

Virtues nurtured by kendo can be divided into the following five categories

(1) Courage (yuki)... Because in kendo you have to rely on your full mental and physical capacity, courage is nurtured natually.

(2) Etiquette (reigi)... Because etiquette is treated as fundamental to all traning, you learn to have correct etiquette at all times

(3) Loyalty and honour (shingi-to-kenchi)... If you learn the way of the sword from your heart, a person's heart will become clear. Loyalty and honour will result from this naturally.

(4) Self-control (Kokki) ... If you are unable to overcome fear and doubt you will never be able to win. Because of this a psyche capable self control is developed.

(5) Endurance (Nintai) ... Because one is pushed to the limits of physical and mental capacity, endurance will become better naturally.

These virtues are nurtured by other sports as well, but in kendo emphasis is placed on spiritually, so the effects are more striking.



2. Things to bear in mind as a kendo instructor

(1) Understand the fundamentals of kendo thoroughly, and apply this knowledge in your instruction. Sufficiently grasp the purpose and spirit of kendo, and accommodate for the age, ability and technical skill of your students.

(2) Make students sufficiently aware of the purpose of training. For example, you should be able to explain why "shizen-tai (natural posture)" is important in "Kihon-no-kamae (basic kamae)" , and what meaning it has in kendo dynamics, in other sports and in daily life. By doing this you should be able to increase the students awareness of the importance of maintaining a more natural posture and thus encourage them to maintain a natural posture. This will increase interest of students and make training more effective.

(3) Find ways of improving the training environment. The most fundamental element in improving the training environment is above all other things the dedication and attitude of the instructor.
The instructor should make the purpose and content of instruction clear, and form at systematic and constructive training regime based on the needs of students. You should not simply concentrate on teaching technique; you should also be aware of your own role in the human training environment and never fail to improve your own personality, insight, technique etc. This will allow you to collaborate better with your students and be a better instructor.

(4) Be aware of the health and wellbeing of students. You need to be aware of the health of your students, and avoid situations where you ask too much of them, causing them injury and making them lose desire to train. Instruct appropriately keeping in mind the health, ability, experience, weather etc.

(5) You must maintain the state of your facilities and equipment. You must be sufficiently mindful of maintaining levels of safety, and preventing injury and accident.

[Nanbanjin]

3. Being mentally prepared for shiai

Shiai is a way of judging your own improvement. Shiai is an important opportunity to compare your attitude and skill with that of your opponent, and to reflect on your strangths and weaknesses. Shiai is an important stage for the training of your spirit and development of your character.

To be mentally prepared for shiai you should consider the following

(1) Remember ettiquete and uphold the rules of shiai.
(2) Use all your strength and skill (i.e. don't hold anything back).
(3) Try and maintain Kikentainoicchi, and play correctly with a serious attitude.
(4) Always show zanshin after striking, and never lose correct posture.
(5) Observe your opponent's openings and seize opportunities to strike.
(6) Always be assertive/positive.
(7) Quickly assess the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent.
(8) Never judge the match yourself while playing (i.e. let the judges do it)
(9) Always play in a level headed manner (i.e. never lose your cool or "heijoshin")

etc.

In summary you should approach shiai with a correct understanding and grasp of its spirit and role in kendo study.

[Nanbanjin]

4. Mental preparedness and what to look for when observing kendo practice


Observing kendo practice has been known as "mitori-keiko" from long ago and is seen as in important part of kendo study.
When observing serious keiko or shiai, the observer should also have a solemn attitude and should respect the rules, and have correct attire and posture.
When observing kendo you should pay particular attention to the following points, observing from the front, back, left and right, understanding the relationship between the different perspectives, comparing with your own movements, and reflecting on your observations.

(1) Posture
Observe whether posture is "expansive", calm and dignified, whether movements are smooth and agile, whether there are any bad habits in technique, and then observe in finer detail each area, for example stance, the manner of stepping, the way of holding the shinai etc.

(2) Technique
Observer the speed and accuracy of strikes, the position of both elbows, the movement of the hands, zanshin, kikentainoicchi, maai, receiving etc.

(3) Spirit
Observe if enough spirit is being displayed, if concentration is being maintained at all times, whether there are any signs of surprise or doubt, and whether one player is always in control.

[Nanbanjin]

5. Types of keiko

It is possible to classify keiko into six types: kakari-geiko, gokaku-geiko, sougou-geiko (aka. ji-geiko or jiyu-geiko), shiai-geiko, hikitate-geiko, and tokubetsu-geiko. It is also possible to classify keiko into four types: kakari-geiko, ji-geiko, (gokaku, shobu or shiai) hikitate-gaiko, and tokubetsu-geiko.

1) kakari-geiko

The aim is to develop the foundation for your body, spirit and technique.
It is a style of keiko where you mostly strike.

(1) It makes physical movement more free, and makes hand and footwork more agile.
(2) It makes striking techniques more accurate and strong.
(3) It helps develop cardio-vascular, and aerobic strength, and develops mobility and stamina.

Important points:
Should be carried out with an unaffected attitude, big techniques, in a relaxed and correct manner, with speed and power. You need to push yourself forward and use all your physical power. Strike deeply, don't break posture and carry out continuous basic techniques.

to be continued...

[Nanbanjin]

2. Gokaku-geiko

Keiko carried out together by two people of similar skill and experience.

(1) Use the techniques you have learned to compete in offence and defence with your opponent, and as much as possible try and make correct and valid strikes.
(2) Attack your opponent, and through repetitive study of techniques you have learned and feel you can execute effectively, make them your own.
(3) Reflect on your unpreparedness and insufficiencies, and work to correct your weaknesses.
(4) Always study legitimate techniques

Important points:
As much as possible train with a large number of different opponents. Use your own favourite techniques from long-distance (toh-ma), and also try to master at least one new technique as well.

to be continued again...

[mark]

(4) Always study legitimate techniques

Thanks for the translation, it made for interesting reading.

What do you think they mean in number 4? Do some people study non-legitimate techniques?

[Charlie]

Excellent! Thank you.

[Halcyon]

Another fine installment in the Nanbanjin "masterpiece theatre in translation." Keep 'em coming. Thanks.

[Ignatz]

Another fine installment in the Nanbanjin "masterpiece theatre in translation." Keep 'em coming. Thanks.

Watch out though, people will start thinking that you are a nice guy. Next thing they will treasure your posts.

[cesarekim]

I just tested 3 dan in June so this WAY over my head for testing purposes but thank you for a good read.

With Best Regards,

[Nanbanjin]

The link to the Ichinikai post I quoted above is:

http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~ichini/b...220242546.html

[Neil Gendzwill]

My experience with Japanese 4th dans is that they are technically pretty damn good and usually playing at a pace I don't see around here, so they kick my ass.

But from a teaching point of view, they typically don't know much as they've never been given that chance. Here we start giving teaching responsibilities much earlier, because we have to. In Japan, your standard yondan guy is just another student in the dojo.

We are fortunate enough to have a nanadan sensei in my club, but I know others who don't. Sometimes those clubs will have an import member due to an ESL program or other circumstance and really could benefit from the import taking a leadership role. But it's like pulling teeth to get them to do it because they don't have any experience, don't think of themselves as instructors, are not too comfortable taking the lead over people they consider as senior to them within the new club, and all that is compounded by being new to the country and the language.

[Charlie]

That's been our experience, too, Neil. We practice at a university dojo and obviously people come for grad school, teaching, internships, what have you. We have been fortunate to have several great visitors from Japan, Korea and other places. All have accepted the teaching/mentorship role we thrust on them very graciously. In fact, they have been willing to exchange kendo for practice in using the English language! I mean, the worst thing that happens is our visiting friend will be, like, "How can I say...? Mmm, to make the attack, you must... and then..."

My sig at this forum for a while was "Make sense?" We had a great friend from Japan, yondan, and he would end a lot of his instructions or explanations with, "Make sense?"

[Charlie]

By the way, George, I have always, always appreciated your posts, and I do not want you to stop. Be as grumpy as you like, I and many others appreciate your perspective.

[Kuri]

Nanmanjin, your efforts are very much appreciated.