SCKF Shinkyu Shinsa, 10/16/11

  • 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 keikogi and hakama
      • 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.

  • Consideration for the shinsa 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
      9  Hahn Lance          6   6
     10  Lim Jennifer        6   6
     11  Moon Joshua         6   6
     12  Choi Daniel         6   6
     51  Matsuda Kane        4   4
     57  Ji Daniel           4   4
     79  Lim Steve           4   4
     83  Kim Christie        3   3
    102  Azama Eric          3   3
    104  Trost Jeffrey       3   3
    114  Lim Mitchell        3   3
    121  Hahn Danielle       2   2
    123  Yoon Courtney       2   2
    161  Kim Andrew          1D  1D
    182  Huang Michael       1D  1D
    187  Hong Woo            2D  2D
    222  Kariya Yoshijiro    4D  --
    231  Hahn Rex            4D  --
    237  Cho In Ho           4D  --   
    Those requesting 4kyu will take the kihon test at the shinsa. Those requesting 6kyu and 5kyu will take the kihon test at the dojo, not at the shinsa.

  • be sure to come to practice every Monday and Friday until the shinsa, especially those testing for 1kyu and above.

  • For shinsa day (for those trying for 4kyu and above):
    • Plan to arrive before 9:00am for sign in. You should leave your house before 8:30am to have plenty of time to drive, park, change, get your tare, and register. Sign in closes at 9:30am. No late applicants will be allowed. If you show up at the sign in table at 9:31am, you will not be able to participate, and you will have to pay a $20 no show fee!
    • 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.


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