Preparing for grading examinations

A number of grading exams are looming in the UK and many people whom I practice with are starting to think about what they should do to pass them. We had a mock grading exam in my local dojo and quite a few conversations about the best way to present oneself on the day, but [...]

Read Full Post »

Nidan and sandan grading examinations

This week I received a request to outline the qualities required to  pass the grading examinations up to 5th dan. I recentlyposted on the both the 4th and 5th dan examinations and on the difference between ikkyu and shodan, so I will not go back over the same ground; instead I will talk in more [...]

Read Full Post »

Moving from kyu to dan

I have returned from the deserted beaches of the Red Sea and am back to kendo. Yesterday after keiko, I was asked about the different qualities required to respectively pass first kyu and first dan gradings. I blithely answered that there is no real difference, just a bit more of the same. Now logically this can [...]

Read Full Post »

Grading Examinations – A judges view

From the comments to my last post, it is obvious that grading examinations can be controversial. As a regular grading panelist and having been on the other side of the judges table numerous times both in Europe and Japan, I feel it is worth sharing my thoughts on how I perceive the process.  I can of course only [...]

Read Full Post »

Reigi in kendo grading examinations

Of the Japanese martial sports, kendo has been exported in the most unadulterated form and retains an etiquette system based on traditional courtesies. Importance is still placed on the correct angle of bow whereas in say judo, standard practice in shiai is to give the slightest of nods before pulling open the judogi to make [...]

Read Full Post »

Seme in grading examinations

Freshly inspired by Chiba-sensei’s thoughts on seme, I taught at a pre-grading seminar over the weekend. I made sure that every shikake and oji waza drill we practiced, started from making the appropriate opportunity, either by breaking the opponents centre or by inviting him to attack and taking away the point. Many of the students [...]

Read Full Post »

Getting it right

Since my last post, several people have made the point that it is fine to say what they did wrong, but it might be more helpful to tell them how to fix it. So here goes – do more kihon practice. OK, let me be more specific. I highlighted three problems:  Not using the left [...]

Read Full Post »

Shinsa feedback

Having just returned from sitting as a panelist at a grading examination and having instructed at the pre-shinsa seminar, I was asked for feedback by many of the unsuccessful candidates. Although this examination was for candidates from ikkyu to 4th dan, I realised that most people who failed did so for the same reasons. So having posted [...]

Read Full Post »

Shodan shinsa

Sometime back I wrote a post on how to train for grading examinations. Having sat on the 4th and 5th dan panel in Brussels last week and as I am scheduled to be an examiner for the Irish National Grading this coming week end, I thought it might be useful to highlight some of the [...]

Read Full Post »

Training for Grading Examinations

I just got back from a weekend seminar and grading in Stoke on Trent. As an instructor and grading panellist it is interesting to see whether a hard day and a bit’s training and coaching before a grading examination makes any difference to the outcome. Like everything in Kendo, there is no easy answer. Certainly, [...]

Read Full Post »