SCKF April Shinsa, 4/30/11

NEWS & REMINDERS

SCKF Shinkyu Shinsa, 4/30/11

see SCKF page for details about the promotional examination, including a tentative schedule and links to written tests for 1kyu and all yudansha.
basic review for the shinsa:
- chakuso (the manner of wearing keikogi, hakama, and bogu)
  - practice putting on your keikogi, hakama, and full bogu, checking yourself in a mirror (practice until you can do everything quickly and properly without the mirror).
  - check men himo length: must be 40cm max (15.75")
  - kote himo must be trimmed and tied securely
  - see this shoelace site if you have problems tying your himo with a crooked bow or if you want to learn how to tie the quick knot.
- examination points
  - chakuso
  - reiho
  - kiai
  - kamae
  - ashi sabaki (footwork)
  - shisei (posture)
  - basic strikes
  - basic waza
  - maai (distance to opponent)
  - ki-ken-tai-no-ichi
- kihon test for 4kyu applicants
  - reiho (rei @sageto, taito, 3 big steps RLR, sonkyo)
  - kirikaeshi
  - men 3x
  - kote 3x (1 step for cut; 2 steps back to kamae)
  - do 3x
  - kote-men 3x
  - reiho (sonkyo, 5 steps LRLRL @taito, sageto, rei)
- testing for all other ranks consists of:
  - kendo with two other people trying for the same rank
  - 4dan: also perform and receive kirikaeshi
  - 1kyu and above: kata (if pass kendo)
  - 1kyu and above: written tests
- additional skills (see SCKF shinsa criteria)
  - reigi, including aisatsu and cleaning the dojo
  - put on and fold dogi
  - put on bogu without assistance
  - maintain and name parts of the shinai
  - waza
Even if you are not participating in this shinsa, the above information is very important for everyone.
we consider the October shinsa as the main shinsa. However we chose a few kenshi with excellent attendance who have made exceptional progress since the last shinsa to participate in the April shinsa. Consideration includes regulations and criteria, skill, maturity, attendance, attitude, kendo tests, and kata tests, as appropriate.
Norwalk participants, including participant number, requested rank and result
```
 pn  name               req res
  6  Ji Daniel           5   5
 11  Kim Christie        4   4
 28  Hahn Danielle       3   3
 79  Yoon Brian          2D  2D 
```
Those requesting 6kyu and 5kyu do not attend the shinsa (rank is awarded by passing the kihon test at the dojo).
be sure to come to practice every Monday and Friday until the shinsa, especially those testing for 1kyu and above.
For shinsa day:
- Plan to arrive by 11:30am for sign in. Pasadena Buddhist Church is really far, so you should leave your house around 10:30am to have plenty of time to drive, park, change, get your tare, and register. Sign in closes at 12:30pm. No late applicants will be allowed. If you show up at 12:31, you will not be able to participate!
- For those trying for 1kyu and all yudansha ranks, turn in your completed written test at sign in.
- Wear your nicest keikogi, hakama, and tenugui
  - make sure they are washed and pressed
  - remove your Norwalk patch, otherwise it and any other markings will need to be covered with tape (special tape will be available at the shinsa)
  - check each other to make sure everyone is neatly dressed
- At shinsa sign in time a label will be put on the center flap of your tare with your participant number. You must be dressed in keikogi and hakama and bring your tare to receive your label. Remove your nafuda (name tag) for the shinsa.
Application fee varies by requested rank: youth kyu $20, adult kyu $20, 1dan $30, 2dan $40, 3dan $45, 4dan $50. Make check payable to Norwalk Kendo Dojo; the dojo will write one check to pay the federation for shinsa fees.
If you receive a new rank, you must pay for a menjo (rank certificate) in order for your rank to be officially recorded. Menjo fees vary by rank: youth kyu $10, adult kyu $20, 1dan $30, 2dan $40, 3dan $60, 4dan $80.
Note: all menjo are in English; AUSKF no longer offers Japanese menjo. Make check payable to Norwalk Kendo Dojo; the dojo will write one check to pay the federation for the menjo.