Sho-dan written test cheat sheet

[Nanbanjin]

Reading stopped

Stop press! Nitoh exponent without sense of humour! Read all about it!

[Kenshi]

not a cut-n-paste job

Just an eye-opener for all you samurai-wannabees who want to do-the-real-thing etc: in Japan the written paper (at least until 5dan, cant comment on above that) IS a cut and paste job.

You are told what questions you will be given and you are expected to turn up on the day and write down exactly whats in your local manual (aka The Bible). You are given a percentage score on its accuracy to The Bible. Based on the grade you are going for the pass percentage changes. There is no room for individual opinions or takes on any matter.

My Japanese friends have complained to me that its hard to memorise some of the kanji, because they never ever write them... but they are expected to do so in the exam.

I'll let you munch on that for a bit.

Heres a question (of which I am sure many of you have an opinion on) - Why do we actually have a written test?

[Kendoka]

Heres a question (of which I am sure many of you have an opinion on) - Why do we actually have a written test?

It makes you read "the bible"!

[Nanbanjin]

In Japan there's written tests for everything so I guess kendo just didn't want to miss out.

Good point by the way. When I went for Shodan my instructor was one of the exam attendants and actually stood looking over my shoulder commenting on whether I had put the right answer or not. I took it pretty seriously at the time, but it was a formality really, and has been so at every grading since.

I have heard that above sixth dan you have to write more of a thesis, but I've never heard of anyone failing on the basis of the written test.

[Kenshi]

It makes you read "the bible"!

Well, I know the answer.... I just want to hear what the opinionated masses here think. Your on the right track though!

You write a thesis for your shogo (right?) as well as submit a CV (plus you are, of course, recommended). My sempai is going to 6dan later this month, so I will ask him this avo... im just off to the dojo now. Ive also 2 friends over in Japan now, one sitting kendo 7dan, another iaido 7dan... so I will ask them as well when they come and visit.

Ive never known anyone to not get their shogo, but i do know of people who have failed their written test.

[Kendoka]

Well, I know the answer.... I just want to hear what the opinionated masses here think. Your on the right track though!

You write a thesis for your shogo (right?) as well as submit a CV (plus you are, of course, recommended). My sempai is going to 6dan later this month, so I will ask him this avo... im just off to the dojo now. Ive also 2 friends over in Japan now, one sitting kendo 7dan, another iaido 7dan... so I will ask them as well when they come and visit.

Ive never known anyone to not get their shogo, but i do know of people who have failed their written test.

Well your friends may be relieved, the written test for 6 + 7dan at an AJKF grading is now abolished. The removal of the test in the FIK grading rules for 6+7 dan is also to be decided on by the FIK next month in Taipei.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Heres a question (of which I am sure many of you have an opinion on) - Why do we actually have a written test?

You do. We don't.

[Halcyon]

Heres a question (of which I am sure many of you have an opinion on) - Why do we actually have a written test?

My pet theories:
1. It's a way to perpetuate "orthodox" kendo principles.
2. It's a remnant of the Confucian ideal of the scholar-warrior.

[JSchmidt]

It makes you read "the bible"!

Pretty much. To ensure that the basic theory and concepts are understood, you force people to study (read the bible).
For us abroad, the closest we get to a 'bible' is the ZNKR Japanese-English Kendo dictionary, although I've never heard of anyone failing a grading on their paper.

[mark]

Pretty much. To ensure that the basic theory and concepts are understood, you force people to study (read the bible).
For us abroad, the closest we get to a 'bible' is the ZNKR Japanese-English Kendo dictionary, although I've never heard of anyone failing a grading on their paper.

In japan do they really have a comprehensive advanced book "bible" that they can study for kendo?

[cesarekim]

We have written tests over here but no bible so we scavenge for stuff in any piece of paper that has kendo in its title. I sometimes wonder who looks at the written papers as the panels are often Japanese/Korean and we answer in Italian....

[JSchmidt]

In japan do they really have a comprehensive advanced book "bible" that they can study for kendo?

Yes they do.

[Nanbanjin]

Is "the Bible" the 剣道学科審査の問題例と解答例(初段～五段)??

I found it fourth from the bottom at:

http://www.kendo.or.jp/shop/books.html

[ben]

You mean I won't have to write any more essays? It's the bit I do best!

When I did nidan in Japan we were exempted from the written test if we did a week of remedial kata. Nidan in Japan is mostly jnr high kids, who can't do kata for shit. I went along because I couldn't (still can't) write Japanese for shit. I ended up being asked to instruct kata!

b

[Masahiro]

I, for one, will wait patiently for the translation of these so called "cheat sheets". ..very helpful. Big thank you once again, i'd give you reps but, apparently i have to spread some more luv befoer i can do that again.

funny thing is i never questioned the "written" part of the shinsa, I always thought martial art has two sides, a physical and a mental, so it makes sense to get tested on both.