[JennaJJxoxoxo]

National Geographic Video

Hi,
Just wondering, is the format for the 8th Dan grading still the same as shown on the NG video? that is:

- two fights infront of 7 judges
- two fights infront of 14 judges
- written exam

Thanks.

[Blacksheepaalredy]

Hey Mingshi,

Thanks, thats interesting!

>Himura Kenshin from the manga Rurouni Kenshin

[AutoCadPhotoSHOP]

10 passed the 8th dan sounds like a record, is that a sign of the grading getting easier or applicants skill on the increase?

[Unjucky]

For your reference, from the AJKF site:-
http://www.kendo.or.jp/japanese/rule/syogo_dan.html

examiner of 8th Dan (Kendo)
=hanshi, age below 76

No. of examiner votes for passing the 8th Dan exam:
1st practical skill exam (i.e. keiko) =4 out of 6
2nd practical skill exam =7 out of 10
kata/written =2 out of 3 (examiner can be older)

and don't forget the grading requirment for 8th Dan:
After passing 7th dan, and 10 more years of practice, age above 46
-----------------
Statistics/results for Kyoto shinsakai, May 2 at Kyoto City Sports Stadium, and May 3 at Kyoto Budo Center:-
Kendo 8th Dan
# of Applicants:=1077, absentees=38, examinee=1039
# of Passes:
1st Practical skill =126; 2nd =12; written =12; kata =12
PASS RATE= 1.2%
----------------
Same thing for Iaido 8th Dan, May 4 at Kyoto Budo Center
# of Applicants:=201, absentees=12, examinee=189
# of Passes:
1st Practical skill =40; 2nd =7; written =7; kata =7
PASS RATE= 3.7%
----------------
btw, we'll never have to worry about all these

[investor]

The AJKF got rid of 9th and above and said that they would make 8th dan easier to pass, but hanshi a lot more difficult. In the past, people who passed 8th dan were awarded hanshi as a matter or course. In the 8th grading held in Kyoto in May, only 10 people passed. This is less than last year, and shows no indication at all that the AJKF has made the test easier. In fact, it is as hard, of not harder than ever.

[scewLacysmazy]

there were about 1200 entrants in the Kyoto taikai this year, 10 passed! I think that it seems to be getting more difficult to pass as well, rather than easier, so it may be a little longer before a westerner gets to pass. The fact that the written exam is only in Japanese will probably be an obstacle for most of us! Just keep training, you might get there yourself sometime!

Tim

[Ettiominiw]

Official defination of the terms/titles are in here:-
http://www.kendo.or.jp/japanese/rule/syogo_dan.html
once again, in Japanese.

Hanshi, Renshi and Kyoshi are titles for senior kendoka. Titles, in Japanese is Syougou. Hanshi is actually the highest position you can ever reach.

According to Chapter 2 No.9, this is the way you go for a syougou exam-----

Renshi (Ren means "refine"):-
Reached Rokudan; after rokudan passed the training year duration limit; passed the local kendo association's exam; recommanded by the local association.

Kyoshi (Kyo means "teach"):-
Reached Nanadan Renshi; after the nanadan duration...; (same as the above)

Hanshi (Han means "model"):-
Reached 8th dan Kyoshi; 8 years or more after 8th dan exam; passed the local kendo association's exam; recommanded by the local association; approved by the All Japan Kendo Reimen president.

hope that helps. @_@