To grade in Japan seems to be on many kendokas list of “things to do in my kendo career,” almost as if passing a grade here means more. But does it?
First, the entire world basically follows the grading methods that are set out by the ZNKR. There are a few countries that are anomolous (Germany comes to mind), but on the whole everyone is pretty much standardised. At least on paper.
The big difference in Japan is of-course the infrastructure that supports kendo: no country (save maybe Korea) has the instructors, the quantity of keiko or shiai, nor the understanding of the populace at large (and govenment support) as Japan does. Children start young and they get very good. By the time they are leaving high school the good kids will be 3dan. In some countries thats a “sensei.”
So, do Japan earned grades mean more, less, or something different? Thats a hard question to answer. I think that the West is out of sync with Japan, especially with the lower ranks. Here is a general overview of the way it works (according to me!):
- Up to and including 3dan: you are a child in kendo terms;
- 4dan: now its time to start learning what kendo is;
- 5dan: a stepping stone between 4th and 5th dan, “am I on the right track?”;
- 6dan: a step away from being a proper teacher, time to get serious;
- 7dan: finally, you are at the level to teach. The end point for 99%+ of us;
- 8dan: something special.
Where do you fit in terms of grade in this? Where do you think you are in terms of kendo knowledge/ability/attitude in general, and does it fit your grade in the above list? Are you offended if say that your grade is a childs one? If so, why?
Of-course, this topic is very wide and can’t be summarised in its entirety… these are just some ideas!
