Passing my Yondan ( 4dan) exam in kendo

Took my first attempt for yondan and successfully passed it.
#jitsugiyondan #kendo

[@anank82]

Congratulation

[@ronvillaroya8835]

Thank you!

[@philipmccrackeniii4575]

That's how my testing WAS going. Nothing fancy and everyone is able to strike. Too many are parrying and preventing each other from making a clean strike. --- Trying so many times at 3 dan. At age 56 I just want to stop trying... already falling behind.

[@roddangerson2046]

I’m confused how it works ,

[@philipmccrackeniii4575]

@@roddangerson2046I am no longer sure. It doesn't seem to be 'Do Your Best and demonstrate your skill' at this point. They count strikes that but only those that are a clean, correct strike that would get you a point in a tournament.

[@roddangerson2046]

@@philipmccrackeniii4575 yea, I’m just not sure if it’s a sport and the best person is at the top or it’s an activity like karate where you can “only fight people your rank” to protect the high rank students that pay time and money to be horrible athletes with high rank??? Does that make sense? Your story made me more confused as to why you ‘’ failed” and just can’t get a rematch or beat a higher rank guy like boxing.....wish we would Americanize that shit.....why can’t I just beat a higher rank to get rank???

[@CarsByJesse]

@@philipmccrackeniii4575 I understand the frustration, I truly do! The unyielding standards of kendo ranks are awesome in the pride they convey, and also terrible to contend with when we run up against a wall. I would, of course, encourage you to speak with your sensei. He, or she, knows why you didn't make it. My understanding is that 3rd dan is focused on the physical technique (yuko-datotsu) of your striking and if it's up to snuff. NOTE - I said your physical technique, not theirs. If your kendo is at a point where you are thrown off by a strong opponent, or sloppy one, then your technique may not quite be where it needs to be...yet. Kendo is awesome in that the ranks are a meritocracy. You have to be able to truly do it, at the level you're asking for, to pass. You got this. If your sensei says you can try the test. Then you have to be close!

[@CarsByJesse]

@@roddangerson2046 I can't help but answer your question while I'm here. No, kendo is not like the "only fight people your rank" stuff you described. It's about as far from that as one can get.