The amount of time a kenshi spends as a beginner (not yet wearing
full bogu) depends on many
factors, including age, natural ability, and diligence. There is
no "average" time, but a serious adult with good coordination may be
ready to test for the each successive level in perhaps 2 months.
A young child may take twice that, or longer.
It all depends on the student.
The biggest factor is attendance, i.e. the amount of time you spend
seriously applying yourself to learning kendo. This is true for all kendo
stages, but it is especially true in the beginning stages.
Attendance, along with a good attitude, is key to obtaining sensei
approval for advancement.
Starting Kenshi
In order to start learning kendo at Norwalk Dojo, a prospective
student must fulfill the following requirements:
- watch at least one keiko from start to finish
- read and understand all the information in the NEW MEMBERSHIP
section (see HOME page)
- turn in all required forms and sign up fees
The starting kenshi must be prepared for a long-term commitment to
learning kendo. Do not consider that you "did kendo" unless
you have practiced it for at least four years.
The starting kenshi begins learning kendo wearing regular work out
clothes. This is more affordable for the beginner, and it affords the
instructors better visibility to the student's handwork and footwork.
The kenshi will begin learning
basic concepts,
rei-gi,
kihon-dosa
and, eventually,
kiri-kaeshi.
Uchikomi-geiko
In order to advance to participating in uchikomi-geiko,
the student must be able to demonstrate, at least at a beginner's level,
an understanding of
rei-gi and
basic concepts,
especially
kamae,
ashi-sabaki, and
the basic targets.
The student will be tested on selected points out of the following:
The student will be eligible to test under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has participated in the previous
kihon shiai
- has attended four Norwalk Dojo keikos prior to the test
(the count resets to zero if two keikos in a row are missed)
Passing the test demonstrates that the student is learning the
fundamentals of kendo, can understand the basic terminology
necessary for further advancement,
and is able to participate, at a beginner's
level, in uchikomi-geiko.
The kenshi should expect to spend a similar amount of time in this
stage as in the previous stage, assuming the same level of
diligence is applied.
Keikogi and Hakama
In order to advance to wearing keikogi and hakama,
the student must continue to develop their understanding of the
basic concepts of kendo,
The student will be evaluated on the following:
The student will be eligible to test under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has participated in the previous
kihon shiai
- has attended four Norwalk Dojo keikos prior to the test
(the count resets to zero if two keikos in a row are missed)
Passing the test demonstrates that the student has mastered, at least
at a beginner's level, the fundamentals of kendo.
The kenshi should expect to spend a similar amount of time in this
stage as in the previous stage, assuming the same level of
diligence is applied.
Do, Tare, and Kote
Before being given permission to wear bogu,
the student must continue to develop their understanding of the
basic concepts of kendo,
The student must pass an evaluation including areas tested at the
previous level and adding the following:
- ability to wear keikogi and hakama properly
- folding keikogi and
hakama
- ability to put on tare and do properly
The student will be eligible to test under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has participated in the previous
kihon shiai
- has attended four Norwalk Dojo keikos prior to the test
(the count resets to zero if two keikos in a row are missed)
The student will initially wear just do and tare, learning the proper
way to put them on, take them off, and put them away.
Then the student may begin wearing kote, to start breaking them in
and to relearn the basics wearing bogu.
The kenshi should expect to spend a similar amount of time in this
stage as in the previous stage, assuming the same level of
diligence is applied.
Men
Before being given permission to wear men,
the student must continue to develop their understanding of the
basic concepts of kendo,
The student must pass an evaluation including areas tested at the
previous level and adding the following:
- care of shinai, including
untying and retying the nakayui
- ability to put on tenugui and men properly
The student will be eligible to test under the following conditions:
- has sensei approval
- has won at least one
kihon shiai match
(or at least has done well)
- has attended four Norwalk Dojo keikos prior to the test
(the count resets to zero if two keikos in a row are missed)
Beginners have the rank of mu-kyu (no rank), sometimes denoted as 0 kyu.
The amount of time a kenshi spends at the kyu level depends on many
factors, including age, natural ability, and diligence. There is
no "average" time, but a serious kenshi with good coordination
who begins learning kendo at or before the age of 9 should be able to
achieve 1 kyu (the highest kyu level) by the age of 15 or 16.
New ranks are currently awarded by the Southern California Kendo Federation
(SCKF) once a year in October.
6 to 5 kyu
The lowest ranks awarded by SCKF are 6 kyu and 5 kyu.
According to SCKF regulations, only kenshi 11 years old and younger may
request 6 kyu, and only kenshi 13 years old and younger may request 5 kyu.
6 kyu and 5 kyu are awarded automatically by SCKF based on the head
instructor's recommendation.
4 to 2 kyu
To receive a rank of 4 kyu or higher, a kenshi must participate in the
SCKF shinkyu shinsa (promotional examination), where the kenshi will
perform kendo with two other kenshi trying for the same rank. A panel
of shinsa examiners will award the new rank, if any.
At Norwalk Dojo, we require kenshi to be able to perform kendo kata at
least one level above SCKF requirements. This means kenshi who would
like to try for 2 kyu should be able to perform kata reiho and at least
the first three movements.
1 kyu
To receive the rank of 1 kyu, a kenshi must perform both kendo and
the first three kata movements at the SCKF shinsa.
At Norwalk Dojo, we require kenshi trying for 1 kyu to perform kendo
at a high level of competence, to conduct themselves in a mature
manner, and to have an understanding of their responsibilities as
they move toward becoming senior kenshi at the dojo.
