Southern California
Kendo Federation



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Shinkyu Shinsa
Sunday 10/19/08, 9am
Wilson Park, Torrance

  • sign-up cover letter sent to each dojo (PDF)
    • a roster for each dojo was also sent. On this roster, ineligility (indicated by "x") was determined by rank, rank date, and age. If any of this information is missing for your kenshi, ineligibility is automatic. Please provide any missing information to restore eligibility. For ranks received outside SCKF, a menjo must be provided.
    • forms are due 9/30
    • forms must include rank, birthdate, height, and weight for each participant
    • head instructors: please review recommended guidelines for requesting ranks on the SCKF guidelines for promotion page

  • See the SCKF reference page for a link to the study guide for promotional examination (AUSKF). This is a good reference for participants, examiners, and instructors. The written examination questions are taken from it.
    • written tests must be completed by those requesting 1kyu and above (PDF). The tests must be turned in at sign-in time. Be sure to write your name and participant number on your test.

  • tentative schedule (pdf)
    • see bottom of page for list of examiners, coordinators, tachiai, etc
    • 7:30am set up
      toban dojos: CHUO, JCI, OCB, STYO, TOR, YKJ (see toban list and court set up)
    • 7:30am coordinators meeting
    • All participants should plan to arrive by 8am.
      • Sign-in closes at 8:30am, no late participants allowed!
      • Those testing for 1kyu and above must turn in completed written tests at sign-in. Be sure to write your name and participant number on your test.
    • 8:15am examiners meeting
    • 9:00am start shinsa
      • All participants line up in rows in your respective courts facing the examiner tables for opening rei.

  • applicants requesting youth 6 kyu, youth 5 kyu, or adult 4 kyu are awarded their rank automatically based on the head instructor's recommendation, and do not need to attend the shinsa. Note: these kenshi must be practicing kendo in full bogu.

  • blank form for non-SCKF participants (PDF)
    Note: you will need the approval and signature of your regional federation. Please also be sure to get approval from your dojo head instructor and the SCKF president (see officer list for contact information).

  • Wilson Park map and directions

Note:"PDF" files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have it, you can download a free copy from Adobe.


  • Rules for requesting ranks:
    • 12 years and over: cannot request 6 kyu
    • 14 years and over: cannot request 6 kyu or 5 kyu
    • requesting 1 dan: must be 1 kyu and 14 years or older
    • requesting 2 dan: must have 1 dan for at least 1 year
    • requesting 3 dan: must have 2 dan for at least 2 years
    • requesting 4 dan: must have 3 dan for at least 3 years
    • requesting 5 dan and higher: not covered by SCKF shinsa
    • you may request "-" or "+" kyu ranks, e.g. "1-" for "ikkyu ge"
  • Preparations for shinsa day
    • participant number
      • each applicant will be assigned a participant number
      • each dojo is responsible for marking this on the left and right side flaps of the tare
      • participant numbers will be distributed at the October SCKF Board meeting
      • remove nafuda (tare name tag) for the shinsa
    • written examination
      • each applicant requesting 1 kyu or higher must submit a completed written examination at the time they sign in for the shinsa, see pdf file
      • be sure to write name and participant number on the test
  • Shinsa day
    • see schedule notes at top of page
    • sign in before the deadline. Sign in tables will be inside the gym.
    • applicants for 1kyu and above: turn in completed written exams, including name and participant number, at time of sign-in
    • remove your nafuda (name tag). Your dojo should have marked your tare with your participant number.
    • kendo
      • each participant will perform kendo with two other applicants requesting the same rank, and a board of examiners will determine the new rank, if any. Follow the instructions of the tachiai on your court.
      • there will be opening rei before your division begins and closing rei after your division completes
      • for those requesting yudansha ranks: after your division is done, stay together near your court until your kata partner (if any) has been recorded by the shinsa coordinator.
    • kata
      • each applicant requesting 1 kyu or higher must be prepared to perform kata in front of the board of examiners. Note: #8 through #10 use the kodachi (short sword).
        • 1 kyu: #1 through #3
        • 1 dan: #1 through #5
        • 2 dan: #1 through #7
        • 3 dan: #1 through #10
        • 4 dan: #1 through #10
      • for yudansha applicants, only those who have passed the kendo portion will perform kata. Be sure to stay near the court after finishing the kendo portion of the test. The shinsa coordinator will announce who passed the kendo test and will then record kata pairs for those who passed.
      • for 1 kyu, all applicants will perform kata regardless of whether they have been awarded 1kyu in the kendo portion. Meet with the shinsa coordinator near court C first thing in the morning (right after the shinsa has begun) to record your kata partner.
      • applicants may select their kata partner. The partner must be testing for the same rank. For 1 kyu, youth kyu and adult kyu may partner together (you may be doing kata on a different court than you did kendo). For yudansha, your partner must have passed the kendo portion of the examination.
      • you will have at least 15 minutes to practice prior to the kata test. Each applicant must be able to perform both the uchidachi and shidachi roles (it will be randomly assigned when your turn comes on the court).
  • Menjo (rank certificates)
    • Do not bring a check for menjo to the shinsa.
    • An official menjo requisition form created from the official results of the shinkyu shinsa will be emailed to each dojo after the shinsa. The menjo will be printed as they appear on the form. If you wish to make any name corrections (eg use middle name), you must edit the form and return it in electronic format. Please include a note describing the change in detail.
    • Menjo fees will be printed on the form. Note that AUSKF now only offers English menjo.
    • Menjo fees are not optional; a kenshi who does not pay the fee to AUSKF will remain at their old rank.
    • Make check payable to Southern California Kendo Federation (not abbreviated "SCKF").
    • Send your check and modified form, if necessary, by 11/1/08 to Jean Kodama (see contact info on the sign-up cover letter).

  • List of examiners and volunteers (alphabetical)

    Everyone please review the court duty notes

    • Examiners:
      Abe T (STYO), Arima K (STYO), Chinen K (GED), Harada B (STYO), Henmi M (NOR), Hosokawa S (CM), Hosokawa Y (CM), Huang Y (NOR), Imoto T (IS), Mizobe C (WS), Nagatani N (CHUO), Morisaku Y (CHUO), Kim Y (YKJ), Park J (ACE), Sakaue M (COV), Shikai M (CHUO), Tew S (COV), Yamaguchi T (NOR), Yamasaki J (PCI), Yang C (TOR), Yuge T (TOR)
      Please arrive by 8am for an examiners meeting. Please wear coat and tie.
      Please review shinsa guidelines as well as the notes.

    • Coordinators:
      Kim, A (TOR), Olson B (CM), Sakae Minoru (STYO), Yamamoto J (SD)
      Please arrive by 7:30am for a coordinators meeting and to help with sign in.

    • Announcers:
      Babus H (SB), Hada L (JCI), Kinjo K (COV), Shinada S (STYO)
      Please arrive by 8:00am to help with check in

    • Tachiai:
      Abe J (CHUO), Anderson E (STYO), Brown N (TOR), Chinen K (GED), Inouye J (VEN), Tamura S (OCB), Tominaga R (TOR), Uto R (JCI)
      Please arrive by 8:00am to help with check in
      Note: please wear keikogi and hakama

    • Other:
      Miyahara M (PCI) head examiner
      Kodama J (NOR) head coordinator

    • Onegaishimasu!


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