Japan 8 Dan Test in Tokyo

**Ellie** · 24th November 2005, 05:30 PM

I'm trying to find exact location and time information for the 8 dan test in Tokyo on the 28th of November. I am in Japan and would like to be a spectator for the test. I cannot, unfortunately, read the kanji on the all Japan Kendo website and the International page has only date information. Any help would be very much appreciated.

-Ellie

**nodachi** · 24th November 2005, 07:42 PM

I wouldn't bother looking. The 8th dan test is closed to spectators except for special invites. Unless you know someone who is connected or are a personal guest of someone taking the exam, there are no spectators, or so I have heard.

**Danny Boy** · 24th November 2005, 07:42 PM

8th and 7th Dan testing is held in Tokyo Budokan(near the imperial palace/gardens) on 28th and 29th november respectively. 6th Dan testing is held on 30th in the Tokyo Budokan (thats the one across the river).

**joekc6nlx** · 24th November 2005, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by Ellie

I'm trying to find exact location and time information for the 8 dan test in Tokyo on the 28th of November. I am in Japan and would like to be a spectator for the test. I cannot, unfortunately, read the kanji on the all Japan Kendo website and the International page has only date information. Any help would be very much appreciated.

-Ellie

If you happen to see Ariga-sensei, please pass along our best wishes for him. Here is the English version of the AKJF website.

http://www.kendo.or.jp/english-page/...-top-page.html

**joekc6nlx** · 24th November 2005, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by nodachi

I wouldn't bother looking. The 8th dan test is closed to spectators except for special invites. Unless you know someone who is connected or are a personal guest of someone taking the exam, there are no spectators, or so I have heard.

My guess is that she's going to be a personal guest. Our sensei, Koki Ariga-sensei, is going to be taking the exam.

**JSchmidt** · 25th November 2005, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by nodachi

I wouldn't bother looking. The 8th dan test is closed to spectators except for special invites. Unless you know someone who is connected or are a personal guest of someone taking the exam, there are no spectators, or so I have heard.

See, that's what I was told when I was in Japan as well, but I heard from others that that's not true...

Jakob

**joekc6nlx** · 25th November 2005, 12:27 AM

One of my other dojo mates was in Japan in May during the 8 Dan exam. I don't know if he got in, but from what I gather, he was able to watch. That was in Kyoto, so Tokyo might be different, but I don't see why they would, especially since it's All Japan.

**Anime12478** · 25th November 2005, 12:40 AM

I would say that letting people in would be a double-edged sword.

The good part is that lower ranked people can see the excellent Kendo that is going on during the exam. It allows everyone to see where they are headed if they continue with Kendo.

But the bad part is letting just anyone in might bring down the morale of the testing environment. You might not have well mannered people attend and it just messes everyone up.

I would say that it would be more good than bad though since I am pretty sure that the only people that attended a Kendo test would actually care about Kendo in some small degree.

**Angelfire** · 25th November 2005, 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by Danny Boy

8th and 7th Dan testing is held in Tokyo Budokan(near the imperial palace/gardens) on 28th and 29th november respectively. 6th Dan testing is held on 30th in the Tokyo Budokan (thats the one across the river).

Your information proves invaluable. Thanks.

**Curtis** · 25th November 2005, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by nodachi

I wouldn't bother looking. The 8th dan test is closed to spectators except for special invites. Unless you know someone who is connected or are a personal guest of someone taking the exam, there are no spectators, or so I have heard.

You can walk right in and watch it from the stands, I did. They do not want you down on the floor unless you have a good reason to be there. Besides, it is so packed with candidates and support staff you do not really want to be there.

**nodachi** · 25th November 2005, 08:27 AM

I guess my information was wrong. I was repeating what I was told. My bad...

**vyung** · 25th November 2005, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Danny Boy

8th and 7th Dan testing is held in Tokyo Budokan(near the imperial palace/gardens) on 28th and 29th november respectively. 6th Dan testing is held on 30th in the Tokyo Budokan (thats the one across the river).

The 8th Dan exam is actually held at the Nippon Budokan, which is situated in the Kitanomaru Park, which is near the imperial palace/gardens as Danny Boy has pointed out.

The Nippon Budokan is a 3 min. walk from [Kudanshita Stn.] on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Subway Line.

**Danny Boy** · 27th November 2005, 06:50 PM

Correct. I made a shameless typo. My apologies.

**Janus** · 27th November 2005, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Danny Boy

8th and 7th Dan testing is held in Tokyo Budokan(near the imperial palace/gardens) on 28th and 29th november respectively. 6th Dan testing is held on 30th in the Tokyo Budokan (thats the one across the river).

We went there last year and are planning to go tomorrow. They are not happy to see observers but it is not prohibited

Probably see you there :-).