DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post

**Dogxzysl** · 02-24-2006, 07:00 AM

I've heard of Germany being very strict in gradings in many different martial arts, so I'm not surprised about that.

In the States, I think many adults test for kyu-ranks within their dojos (if the dojo has the appropriate number of dan ranks in order to hold an "in-house" testing).. And then they may eventually test for ikkyu at a big tournament/testing. Just kinda depends. I think going through the kyu ranks is fine. I don't think folks should be very concerned with rankings, only with learning to do better kendo, but I can understand some people (especially an apparent American fixation) wanting a 'rank'. For some, it's all about the rank and never about the kendo. For others, it just gives them an idea of where they stand and sets goals for "marked" progress. (I don't fully understand that, but I know some people look at it that way).. It's fine.

Really, who cares if you are sankyu or nikyu or ikkyu..? Can you do good, proper kendo? Can you strike a proper men against a shodan or nidan? Good, proper kendo is what is really, really important.

I'm not sure if this will sound right, but...

Just because you have a "rank" does not mean you will do good, proper kendo all the time, but doing good, proper kendo all the time will justify your rank. (Hope that makes some sense)..

Ok, enough of that...

For ikkyu test, here's my thought.

1. Good spirit
2. Good voice
3. Good voice
4. Good footwork and good MEN strikes
5. Strike men and go through
6. Good spirit and voice
7. If you come to tsubazeriai, do not stay in tsubazeriai. Get in and then get back out with higi-men
8. A good stomp is always nice.
9. Do not bother with blocking.
10. Do not attack the Do.
11. I think it's ok to attack kote or kote-men, so long as there continues to be forward movement after the strike. But the primary attack should be to the MEN for ikkyu-wannabes.
12. And again, good spirit and VOICE!

I don't know this with 100% certainty, but I'm fairly confident these things will warrant a passing grade just about anywhere around the world for ikkyu.

EDIT: How come I always respond to threads that are MONTHS old!?!??! Must pay more attention to that and not get led by the nose by Yowai..

02-24-2006, 07:00 AM	#10
Dogxzysl Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 333 Senior Member	I've heard of Germany being very strict in gradings in many different martial arts, so I'm not surprised about that. In the States, I think many adults test for kyu-ranks within their dojos (if the dojo has the appropriate number of dan ranks in order to hold an "in-house" testing).. And then they may eventually test for ikkyu at a big tournament/testing. Just kinda depends. I think going through the kyu ranks is fine. I don't think folks should be very concerned with rankings, only with learning to do better kendo, but I can understand some people (especially an apparent American fixation) wanting a 'rank'. For some, it's all about the rank and never about the kendo. For others, it just gives them an idea of where they stand and sets goals for "marked" progress. (I don't fully understand that, but I know some people look at it that way).. It's fine. Really, who cares if you are sankyu or nikyu or ikkyu..? Can you do good, proper kendo? Can you strike a proper men against a shodan or nidan? Good, proper kendo is what is really, really important. I'm not sure if this will sound right, but... Just because you have a "rank" does not mean you will do good, proper kendo all the time, but doing good, proper kendo all the time will justify your rank. (Hope that makes some sense).. Ok, enough of that... For ikkyu test, here's my thought. 1. Good spirit 2. Good voice 3. Good voice 4. Good footwork and good MEN strikes 5. Strike men and go through 6. Good spirit and voice 7. If you come to tsubazeriai, do not stay in tsubazeriai. Get in and then get back out with higi-men 8. A good stomp is always nice. 9. Do not bother with blocking. 10. Do not attack the Do. 11. I think it's ok to attack kote or kote-men, so long as there continues to be forward movement after the strike. But the primary attack should be to the MEN for ikkyu-wannabes. 12. And again, good spirit and VOICE! I don't know this with 100% certainty, but I'm fairly confident these things will warrant a passing grade just about anywhere around the world for ikkyu. EDIT: How come I always respond to threads that are MONTHS old!?!??! Must pay more attention to that and not get led by the nose by Yowai..
	Quote