A Lot of Candidates for 8 Dan

[Neil Gendzwill]

We can do it that way of course, but what about those that never pass or stop kendo for any number of reasons? I think to get the true number is nearly impossible. I believe the real number lies somewhere in between.

Oh, yeah. It's a complicated question. But I think the short answer is, you need a whole schwack o' beginners to get one sensei. Our club has seen at least 600, may be closer to 800 people start over the years. Out of that, 3 people have passed yondan. So that's at least a 200:1 ratio, and the pass rate for sandan and lower is 100%, by which I mean everyone passes those eventually so long as they keep trying.

[Curtis]

Oh, yeah. It's a complicated question. But I think the short answer is, you need a whole schwack o' beginners to get one sensei. Our club has seen at least 600, may be closer to 800 people start over the years. Out of that, 3 people have passed yondan. So that's at least a 200:1 ratio, and the pass rate for sandan and lower is 100%, by which I mean everyone passes those eventually so long as they keep trying.

Yeah, if you start adding in all the 'others', we're talking about 6 and 7 figures to get an 8 dan. I looked at my rosters from class and I have gone through hundreds.