Grading Advice - Ikkyu,Shodan,Nidan - Finding space to show your Kendo

#kendo #grading #shodan
Grading Advice - Ikkyu,Shodan,Nidan - Finding space to show your Kendo
Performing your shinsa at a grading event is like going for a Job interview.
You're there to demonstrate specific criteria.
Often many Sensei and Sempai ( Teachers and senior students ) will offer very simple and direct advice like "just cut men" for example. Many candidates have a tendancy to take this quite literally and can sometimes get caught up in a sort of robotic dance during the grading where no one hits a valid strike because both participants keep clashing into each other.
This video is intended as a means of decoding your Sensei's and or Sempai's advice and putting it into the context of the reality of a tachi ai ( Dual/engadment ) for lack of a better term.
I cover everything from preparation before the event and the morning of. I talk about some of the problems that may impede your ability to show your best Kendo on the day and follow the advice you have been given as well as how to overcome them. I talk about Kirikaeshi , the Jitsugi Keiko , the Kata portion as well as the grading paper.
I also try to decode the quality differences or steps you are expected to have made between the grades to some degree. Seeing as how the criteria are the same , but the level differs, it may be helpful to understand what some of the markers are for "on track improvements" when it comes to the basics of Ki Ken Tai Ichi.
As usual what your Sensei says is top priority and please understand this is meant to compliment that and not to conflict with it. Same goes for other Kendo KZbinrs or bloggers etc. Particularly Higher Graded ones than myself.
I can only offer my advice based on my own experience of passing these grades, as well as training others who have succeded in attaining these grades as well as my time served as floor manager assisting the panel at gradings.
In other words, consider me an online Sempai of sorts if you are going for these grades.
As promised , here is the link to Fisher Sensei's ( The Kendo Show / KendoStar ) fantastic video series "Zero To Shodan" which is a sort of technical bible for those progressing from the Kyu levels to Shodan. Please do check it out not only if you are attempting these grades but also a junior coach or a coach with less experience perhaps :
• KENDO : ZERO TO SHODAN
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[@KendoChris]

Really good advice and enlightenment. Ikkyu grading in a few weeks, you have eased my mind. Thanks.

[@Norsebearcat]

Thanks for the detailed advice. My goal is ShoDan by the end of 2023 so good timing for me to find this video.

[@KendoSwordsman]

When did you start Kendo?

[@KendoSwordsman]

As always, your Sensei's advice takes priority as well as higher level coaches than myself. If you have any questions, fire them in the comments 😉

[@AaronRowell]

Wonderful video. So much of grading is intimidating for me, because I haven't experienced how different organizations have done it. I've only tested for Ikkyu, but I'm soon to test for shodan and this has cleared up some of my decisions on my strategy for the day of the test.

[@KendoSwordsman]

Really happy this was helpful to you. I wish you the best for your shodan attempt. Just remember the tone is one of being at "a job interview". So although you need a couple of clean strikes there's no need to worry about getting hit, it's not a competitive situation. Just show your best in terms of what you've learned so far, look sharp and conduct yourself well and if you've put in the time and training then the rank will be yours. It's natural to have nerves. I've done tests for 7th kyu, 5th kyu, 2nd kyu, ikkyu, shodan and all the way up to yondan so far and I was nervous every time. However I also had some confidence knowing I'd put in the work, listened to my teachers and sempai and so it was just a matter of showing it on the day. I also take the approach that every teacher has a valid point when it comes to advice. Even if that advice sounds conflicting at first. Try what they all teach and you then judge what works for you and what gets praise or acknowledgement from those around you more senior to you but definitely treat it all with respect. I've yet to fail a grading and I think that's a major reason as to why. I always assume anyone a bit further down the path than myself must have something positive to offer and I do my best to try to understand it when it's offered. Again best of luck and thanks for taking the time to watch my videos and support the channel.

[@johnkelso4517]

Thanks for the video, some very good points made. All good for business.

[@KendoSwordsman]

Well, I was lucky to have good guidance myself 😉.

[@ReformedJohnny]

This is a great video! Please keep making content

[@KendoSwordsman]

Thanks. Really appreciate the support. I will do. Just starting to figure out how to make it work around the new job. I expect to post again this coming week at some point.