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Kendo is strongly organized, with most kendo governed by a singlefederation in each country receiving direction from the InternationalKendo Federation (which grew from the Japanese organization, the Zen-Nippon Kendo Renmei, or ZNKR). There are exceptions to this, suchas the unfortunate split into two federations in the United States. Iaidois usually affiliated with either the IKF/ZNKR or the Zen-Nippon IaidoRenmei (ZNIR).
Kendo have a pretty consistent nine dan system of ranking. Dojo-dan are not allowed - you must grade in front of a committee. Atypical committee for first dan would be six or more people ranked fifthdan or higher. Often, bigger committees are used for higher ranks, ifenough qualified people are available. For IKF-affiliated organizations,responsibility for conferring the ranks rests with each member country,but every other country is bound to recognize ranks awarded by membercountries.
Kyu ("coloured belts") are given to children as incentives, but notusually adults. If kyu are given, they may start at tenth or more usuallysixth and advance up to first. Dan then start at first and advance up tonine. No outward indication of rank is usually worn, although somefederations give small coloured patches to sew on the shoulder for kids. Shodan can be accomplished in 2 or 3 years for a persistent andreasonably talented person. A dojo's head instructor in North Americashould be at least fourth dan; many are fifth or sixth dan.
Teaching certificates are awarded in addition to rank. Each certificatehas a requirement that the recipient be of a minimum rank and age andare awarded for excellence in instruction and/or contribution to the art.
Dan from 1 to 9: shodan, nidan, sandan, yondan, godan, rokudan,nanadan, hachidan, kudan. Teaching certificates from lowest to highest: renshi, kyoshi, hanshi.A. What are the names of the ranks?
Kyu from 10 to 1: jukyu, kukyu, hachikyu, nanakyu, rokyu, gokyu,yonkyu, sankyu, nikkyu, ikkyu.
| Rank | Kata required | Minimum time since last exam | Usual time since last exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| ikkyu | tachi 1-3 | - | after 1 year practice |
| shodan | tachi 1-5 | 3 months | 1 year |
| nidan | tachi 1-7 | 1 year | 2 years |
| sandan | tachi 1-7 kodachi 1-3 | 2 years | 2-3 years |
| yondan | same as sandan | 3 years | 3-5 years |
| godan | -- "" -- | 4 years | 6-7 years |
| rokudan | -- "" -- | 5 years | sometimes never.... |
I'm not sure of the time for nanadan and hachidan, but they still requirean exam. Kudan is granted without examination. Tachi kata is donewith both people holding a long sword (tachi), kodachi is with oneholding a long sword and the other holding a short sword (kodachi). Aside from the number of kata changing, the exam is the same for allranks. It takes less than half an hour. What changes is what the judgesare looking for. There's a panel of judges. In Canada, we need at least5 judges of godan or higher to award shodan, unless special dispensationis received.
Here's the rough ability levels associated with rank:
shodan beginner with solid basics
nidan starting to understand a little bit about kendo
sandan intermediate, able to instruct beginners
yondan junior instructor
godan instructor
rokudan senior instructor
nanadan master instructor
hachidan Kendo god
Rokudan is the usual top rank for dedicated amateur players - I guessyou could call it a master level, but we don't use that terminology. Nanadan is a very high level instructor, usually a professional (like apolice instructor, high school or college coach in Japan). Hachidan issuperhuman. Every year, about 1500 nanadan candidates try thehachidan exam in Japan. The pass rate is usually about 2%. These areall the famous guys - tournament champions and so forth, but the hachidanexam is very rigorous.
