[Wsjltrhe]

The only thing worth mentioning is that some countries don't have grades below ikkyu, like Japan and Brazil, for instance.

Otherwise a grade is grade no matter where you got it.

[Buhoutsoupfap]

Confound - As far as I've had experience with it, there are no problems. Our instructor is from Korea and he is recognized by the CKF (Canadian Kendo Fed) for his rank. Likewise, My boyfriend and I are going to Japan next year, and they will also accept our ranking that we recieved here in Canada.

[samanthalueus]

I don't know but I think in canada many fonds go to Team Canada. And I don't mind paying alittle money for suporting my national team.

I guess with this money they also pay for some of the sensei's travel .

stuff like that

[SergZHy67]

deanoclark -- sorry, I was being unclear: I meant that kendo federations shouldn't charge the crazy money they call "dues".

I have yet to see anything good come out of putting money into the US federation coffers. It just contributes to the ugly kendo politics that alex was talking about in another thread.

Yeah, sure, if you like kendo, you'll be willing to lay out the base costs... no argument there!

[CathBraunn]

"I only know that in UK there's this "constitution" saying no one can make money for themselves out of Kendo, but I don't know if this exist in HK......"

This is interesting. Does anyone know if such an article exists in the US in any of its federations? Is kendo in the US a "not-for-profit" endeavour?

Thanks,

Richard

[Paiblyelaxy]

Confound: in re joining a federation -- it's generally necessary to join if you're to test for dan in your country.

[banditorfv]

Originally posted by kendokamax

I'm actually saving a lot of money right now......for the longest kendo trip in my life. MMmmmmmmmm.... Kendokamax .........
Think you can spare some of your saving for Fellow Kendoka ?? ;P
We are bunch of poor swordsmen... who cnanot affrd too much of these fee :P haahaa

[bikersfan]

bah you can fail at any grade.

doesn't mean that much
important thing is to continue on!

look at miyazaki he failed shodan

I still can't believe that!

[mikeydesignzinc]

Is that Hongkong dollars or US?

[discountviagraman]

Confound,

The answers to your questions = it depends on the association ......

All I can say is if you grade *ensure* you have the menjo b4 you return back to whence-you-came [or you at least know where to get it from].

Cheers,

[Soypopetype]

Justy, we in the PNKF look forward to spending our $ at Steveston every year.

[Vmysobfi]

Originally posted by olaf
Friends of mine who have practiced in dojos overseas, particularly in the U.S., tell me that they used to pay probably 2x to 3x the numbers you gave. No~~~!! I cannot imagine anyone paying more than that?
If there're other places on earth that charge a lot less... that'll be considered a rip-off!

At the moment I'm in UK. There're their fees:

KA annual =USD$46 (student 1/2 price!!)
Club practice (twice a week) annual =$300
or around $6 each class

Grading: (Menjo =$15)
Shodan=$23
Nidan=$31
Sandan=$38
Yondan=$46

Taikai entry fee=$7, spectators=free
I'm desperately trying to take as many grading as possible in this country!! .....I won't be able to afford a second chance if I fail even one grading in HK!

***
The Kendo association can make a big profit if they:
1)pass everyone on lower ranks
2)fail everyone on higher ranks
because it costs more for higher ranks!!
(Wait..... This is not very original.... they're already doing that!!)

[toyboy]

I believe that these 'grades' are not recognized by the ZNKR. As you said, it's an informal 'in house' thing. Sme other dojo might not have it. In Japan , I believe, you only have to join the federation when you test for ikkyu.

I can't imagine someone failing ikkyu. Unless you hold the shinai upside down , that is.

[theonsushv]

One thing I don't get is why Menjo fees increase with Dan grades.
I mean it's not like they start using parchment made from the skins of virgins (which I understand is expensive) the higher up you get.
Of course it may be that you have to have more higher grade judges, but they don't get paid do they? Well if they do I'd like to know so that I can slip them a few bucks before the grading

Seriously, is there any justification for this?

[derisgun]

AUSKF dues go to probably training the US Team and such events.

Federation dues probably go to training your federation team for the US championship.

Even though getting your shodan+ is expensive, if you divide by how many years you must wait before you test for the next rank, it's probably the same amount of money...so just start saving up earlier...besides, saving 200 bucks over 4 years doesn't seem too hard...50 bucks a year....about a buck a week.... and about 13
cents a day....

Kendokamax, you're saying kendo is too costly...but man, if it's hurting your pocket books, don't hit the tournaments too often, ya know what i'm saying...It seems like tournaments are causing the most damage to your wallet. But if you like tournaments and it's hard to resist, go ahead and hit them, but then, don't complain about the costs...(sorry if that sounded a bit rude, couldn't put it a nicer way, didn't mean to sound rude too.)

[Wluwsdtn]

ah Will I didn't mean to complain about it.

I was just saying it's a costy hobby. I had the chance to visit some interesting places because of kendo. And money is made for spending!

I want to attend to the most tournament possible! Because I think it's one of the best way to improve. All the great kendoka you see there just makes you realize so much things about kendo.

I'm actually saving a lot of money right now......for the longest kendo trip in my life.

[Serttyfd]

Mingshi: just so you know, the fees cited from the Hong Kong dojo are a good deal. That's slightly more than what I was charged back when I was in the territory (I was given some sort of "guest" fee), but is still significantly lower than what most dojos overseas charge. Friends of mine who have practiced in dojos overseas, particularly in the U.S., tell me that they used to pay probably 2x to 3x the numbers you gave.

[cxddfrxc]

Yearly fee (federation) : U$ 40
Grading Fee & Menjo fee: U$ 20 - 70
Yearly fee (club): U$110

Very expensive I'd say. Less polite people would call it a ripoff, given the quality of the places where shinsa and taikai take place.

[Arbinknit]

Oh? Do tell! Could this be an extended trip to Japan? haha we will see in 8 months.. where I'm going to be on earth.

[AgowlSown]

Originally posted by Confound
I am amazed by the costs. Is it absolutely necessary to join your country's kendou federation? They seem very expensive, what do they do for you in the long run? I'm not asking this to become flamebait, i'm asking because i don't belong to one, and it's a serious concern when i go back to my home country.

c
Confound, for Dojo outside Japan, alot of them are categorised into two type :

1. Affiliated club, non profit base, but they need lots of fee to conver some of the administration fee, competition fee, Dojo rental, and wrost of all Insurence (this fee gets higher and higher).
2. Non Affiliated club, alot of them are profit base, and purpose ?? no idea .......