Federation afiliation and Grading

[Eskiriatai]

Hello to everyone

I started practicing Kendo in my country almost 5 years ago, I was supposed to be tested for the 1st Dan grade a year ago, unfortunately due to political misunderstandings my dojo is not affiliated to the federation anymore therefore i can't be tested and even if that was possible my grade would not be recognized because I am not affiliated, many persons have told me of several possible solutions, changing from dojo could be one but is the place where I began my training and changing just because political issues is not very honorable in my opinion. Other option is to be tested in a different country. I have such opportunity, some kendokas told me that I only have to be training for certain amount of time in that country and affiliate to that federation so I can be tested, my question is if this is the best option and if my grade would be recognized in my own country without be affiliated. I apologize for not mentioning places or names because the intention of this message is not to criticize. I can mention that I am 1st kyu, and there is nothing I can do to change the political situation of my dojo or my country's federation.

Thank you and I appreciate any help or opinion

[hl1978]

Its my understanding that if you grade somewhere with FIK backing, your grade will be recognized anywhere else that FIK affilliated.

[b8amack]

I'd switch dojo. I understand being loyal, but the truth is, seeking FIK grading means you want to be FIK affiliated. And your dojo isn't.

[tango]

I don't know if this is legal or even a (dis)honorable thing to do, but....

would it possible to join the federation as just an individual? or if that's not possible, join the federation under a different dojo, but continue to practice with your current dojo?

just kinda thinking out loud.

[Kim Taylor]

To test in another country you will need to have a letter of permission from your country's president, and that means you need to be affiliated.

If you are going to join a dojo or federation in another country you may as well switch dojo in your own country and be done with it, Perhaps you could join an affiliated dojo in your country with the permission of your sensei.

Each country has a different setup as to how to join the federation. In Canada the membership is directly to the federation, each individual joins the federation, and each club joins the federation but there is no requirement for people to join through a dojo or a regional federation to be part of the national federation. It is of course expected that each individual is a member of a club, and our record keeping and grading requirements reflect this.

On the other hand, in the USA you absolutely must be a member of a regional federation to be a member of the national federation because it is the regional federation that is a member of the national. You cannot join the national federation without going through a regional body.

You will need to check out the rules in your own country, but in any case you will have to talk with your sensei about this. If you care enough not to change dojo you should not join another or join the federation directly without his knowledge and approval. If your sensei has left the federation and cannot re-affiliate, I have my doubts that you will receive his blessing to join, but it's worth asking.

Kim.

[rfoxmich]

May also depend on how your national federation is organized. The U.S. for example, does not really have 'individual membership' The regional federation is the member and is assessed dues based on its reported membership. If your national organization supports individual membership you could just join the federation and stay with the dojo.

[rfoxmich]

Should have added. The best way to deal with this is
1. Ask your sensei for suggestions.
2. Ask your national federation for suggestions.

[Eskiriatai]

Thanks everyone for your advice, my home country is Mexico and so far I know the affiliation process is similar to that in the U.S. now I am studying in Australia and I will living in this country for a while, unfortunately there is no dojo where I'm currently living but soon I will move the capital, I look forward for a constant training there, with some advice from the sensei probably I will be able to do the shodan test in Australia. It seems that I have to investigate with the mexican federation the process to be affiliated, however there is a lot of turmoil regarding kendo politics in Mexico, in my opinion the federations where made to unify and spread martial arts although in the practice it doesn't always work this way, so I think what really matters is if one is training kendo correctly regardless affiliations and bureaucracy, this means that perhaps I should be patient and wait for the opportunity to do the test, but I would like to state that most of the times politics work more as an obstacle than a help, even in kendo, maybe someone elese has had this type of unfortunate experience.

[Kim Taylor]

One thing to understand about the kendo federations affiliated with the FIK is that there is a very strong factor keeping the international and the national organizations together, and that is the world kendo championships. The requirement/encouragement for a single national organization (and Hawaii) is a direct result of the championships.

What this means is that any club or federation that pulls out of the FIK also gives up any chance of sending participants to the WKC. This means that the organizations have a real, practical reason to "get along" and that means that a lot of compromise is made which would, in other arts, result in multiple national organizations.

Those of us in iaido and jodo may not appreciate just how important this kendo factor is in the mix.

Kim.

[b8amack]

Thanks everyone for your advice, my home country is Mexico and so far I know the affiliation process is similar to that in the U.S. now I am studying in Australia and I will living in this country for a while, unfortunately there is no dojo where I'm currently living but soon I will move the capital, I look forward for a constant training there, with some advice from the sensei probably I will be able to do the shodan test in Australia. It seems that I have to investigate with the mexican federation the process to be affiliated, however there is a lot of turmoil regarding kendo politics in Mexico, in my opinion the federations where made to unify and spread martial arts although in the practice it doesn't always work this way, so I think what really matters is if one is training kendo correctly regardless affiliations and bureaucracy, this means that perhaps I should be patient and wait for the opportunity to do the test, but I would like to state that most of the times politics work more as an obstacle than a help, even in kendo, maybe someone elese has had this type of unfortunate experience.

Politics are a fact of life, for sure.

Is your ikkyu through the FIK or through your dojo? Anyway there are a lot of Aussies on this board, so they'll probably be able to offer relevant advice about grading there.

[enkorat]

I may be mistaken, but several friends of mine who were studying abroad in Japan for a year or so simply joined the AJKF while there and tested as a Japanese member, and simply renewed their AUSKF membership when they returned to the US.

[Ikkyu]

Thanks everyone for your advice, my home country is Mexico and so far I know the affiliation process is similar to that in the U.S. now I am studying in Australia and I will living in this country for a while, unfortunately there is no dojo where I'm currently living but soon I will move the capital, I look forward for a constant training there, with some advice from the sensei probably I will be able to do the shodan test in Australia. It seems that I have to investigate with the mexican federation the process to be affiliated, however there is a lot of turmoil regarding kendo politics in Mexico, in my opinion the federations where made to unify and spread martial arts although in the practice it doesn't always work this way, so I think what really matters is if one is training kendo correctly regardless affiliations and bureaucracy, this means that perhaps I should be patient and wait for the opportunity to do the test, but I would like to state that most of the times politics work more as an obstacle than a help, even in kendo, maybe someone elese has had this type of unfortunate experience.

I think the turmoil with federations in Mexico is for the most part of it a thing of the past, with the un-affiliated dojos being so mainly because of sensei ego/personal disputes or dissaproval of how the FMK directives handled things, since the new directive took over I hope they leave the BS past them, other than your problem I think they are doing a good job on integrating all the kendo groups (access to the Yamanaka and Ozawa sensei seminars regardless if you were affiliated or not, etc), maybe the affiliation issue in your dojo can be solved homehow when you come back? (ie the Queretaro association which was a "rogue" group for many years recently affiliated and had a cool invitational event for the rest of the groups). This is the list of the current affiliates as of now http://www.kendofmk.org.mx/directori...o.html?catid=2 , good luck with your issue

[TheJRK]

I may be mistaken, but several friends of mine who were studying abroad in Japan for a year or so simply joined the AJKF while there and tested as a Japanese member, and simply renewed their AUSKF membership when they returned to the US.

Yeah, I don't think there is a rule against being a member of two different federations. As long as you pay dues to both I doubt they will refuse to take your money.

[jmarsten]

Yeah, I don't think there is a rule against being a member of two different federations. As long as you pay dues to both I doubt they will refuse to take your money.

Actually there is a rule with regard to AUSKF. The purpose is so that an individual cannot tryout for more than one national team for the WKC. I doubt anyone would catch it as far as grading goes.

[Eskiriatai]

Sincerily I don't really know the actual situation of the Mexican federation I am just stating the problem I had some time ago regarding kendo and the affiliation procces to be tested for shodan and also trying to gather oppinions regarding my current opportunity I have. I agree with (Ikkyu) perhaps when I go back to Mexico I could find another solution. Judgeing senseis or dojos from Mexico is and was not my intention when I post this thread.