• a sign-up cover letter was sent to each dojo (PDF), along with dojo roster as of 12/31/09
  • applications are due 4/3
  • forms must include rank, birthdate, height, and weight for each participant
  • 4dan applicants must also have participated in both kata and shinpan seminars (within last 2 years)
  • membership deadline was 12/31/09

• head instructors and kodansha sensei attended a workshop on 3/7/10 to review new SCKF shinsa regulations and criteria.
  • all dojo instructors should read and understand these documents
  • head instructors must return a signed copy of the shinsa application cover certifying that the applicants from their dojo meet the criteria

• shinsa location
  • Pasadena Buddhist Church
    1993 Glen Ave, Pasadena CA 91103 (see map)
    note: this is not the same as Pasadena Cultural Institute!

• sign in closes at 12:30pm
  • no late applicants allowed!
  • 1kyu through 4dan applicants: turn in your completed written tests at sign-in

• see below for more information on the shinsa

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

• new shinsa fees
  • $20 kyu, including adult kyu
  • $30 1dan
  • $40 2dan
  • $45 3dan
  • $50 4dan

• new rules for requesting ranks:

       rank   min age   min time in practice
       ----   -------   ---------------------------------------------------

  • 6kyu      8       6 months practice
  • 5kyu      9       6 months practice as 6kyu or 6 months practice
  • 4kyu     10       6 months practice as 5kyu or 12 months practice
  • 3kyu     11       6 months practice as 4kyu
  • 2kyu     12       6 months practice as 3kyu
  • 1kyu     13       6 months practice as 2kyu
  • 1dan     14       6 months practice as 1kyu
  • 2dan      -      12 months practice as 1dan
  • 3dan      -      24 months practice as 2dan
  • 4dan      -      36 months practice as 3dan

  "Time in practice" assumes the kenshi is practicing regularly, eg keiko once or twice per week

• new promotional examination methods and criteria
  • all applicants requesting 3kyu and above shall demonstrate kendo jitsugi for their examination; grading will be based on the new SCKF ranking criteria
  • 4kyu applicants shall demonstrate kendo basics with a motodachi
    • reiho, kirikaeshi, men, kote, do, kote-men
    • see example videos
  • 4dan applicants shall demonstrate kirikaeshi (striking and receiving), in addition to kendo jitsugi

• written tests are required for everyone requesting 1kyu and above.
  • see the AUSKF written tests (pdf)
  • the tests must be turned in at sign-in time
  • please write your name, participant number, requested rank, and dojo on your written test

• tentative schedule
  see also court assignments and schedule sheet (pdf)
  • 11:00am: set up and registration meeting
  • 11:30am: examiners/volunteers meeting (lunch will be provided)
  • 12:00pm: sign-in
    • you must be dressed in keikogi and hakama and bring your tare when you sign in
      note: keikogi and hakama should not show markings (eg dojo patch, team logo, or slogans)
    • those testing for 1kyu and above must turn in completed written tests at sign-in
    • plan to arrive early so you can complete sign-in well before it closes
    • applicants requesting 6kyu and 5kyu test at the dojo, not at the shinsa
  • 12:30pm: sign-in closes all divisions; no late participants allowed!
  • 1:00pm: start kendo portion of shinsa
    • before 1pm: all participants line up in rows in your respective courts facing the examiner tables for opening rei
  • 2:30pm: start kata portion of shinsa
  • 3:30pm: end shinsa (note: there will not be a results meeting)
• shinsa day
  • kendo
    • be at your court BEFORE your division starts. Even if you signed in before the deadline, if you are not in place before your division performs opening rei, you will not be allowed to participate.
    • follow the instructions of the tachiai on your court
    • each applicant for 4kyu will demonstrate basic skills with a motodachi provided by SCKF (you will be in full bogu)
    • each applicant for 3kyu and above will perform kendo jitsugi with two other applicants requesting the same rank
    • each applicant for 4dan will also do kirikaeshi at the beginning of jitsugi, once striking and once receiving
    • remain at your court until all participants in your division finish testing, at which time your division will perform closing rei
    • for those requesting 1kyu and above ranks: after your division is done, stay together near your court The kendo test results will be tallied and announced by the shinsa coordinator, who will then record the participant numbers for kata partners.
      • only those who have passed the kendo portion will perform kata
      • if you lack a kendo partner, you will be paired with someone who also lacks a partner
      • if there is an odd number of kenshi, one kenshi will do kata twice (the second performance does not count)
  • 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
    • kata pairings were recorded at the completion of kendo jitsugi
    • 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
      • the role 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 shortly after the shinsa
    • note that AUSKF now only offers English menjo
    • the menjo will be printed with names 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
    • menjo fees are not optional; they are in fact a certification fee paid to AUSKF to register the new rank. A kenshi who does not pay the fee will remain at their old rank.
    • make check payable to Southern California Kendo Federation (not abbreviated "SCKF").

All examiners and volunteers please arrive before 11:30am so we can start and end our meeting on time

List of examiners and volunteers (alphabetical)

• Examiners:
  Please wear coat and tie.
  Abe T (STYO), Arima K (STYO), Harada B (STYO), Kato T (COV), Murakami I (IS), Park J (CYP), Shikai M (CHUO), Shikai Y (CHUO), Tew S (COV), Yamasaki J (PCI), Yuge T (TOR)

• Coordinators:
  Please wear SCKF polo shirt, or a plain polo or dress shirt
  Olson B (CM), Sakae Minoru (STYO)

• Announcers:
  Please wear SCKF polo shirt, or a plain polo or dress shirt
  Babus H (SB), Urata G (SS)

• Tachiai:
  Please wear keikogi and hakama
  Abe J (CHUO), Inouye J (VEN), Kawai K (JCI), Yang D (TOR)

• Registration and timekeepers:
  Please arrive at 11am for a briefing and to help with set up
  Please wear keikogi and hakama
  

• Other:
  Yamaguchi T (NOR): head examiner
  Kodama J (NOR): head coordinator