Comments on: A brief investigation into the SHOGO system

By: George McCall

George McCall — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:26:40 +0000

Interesting. That must be for people living abroad. People who live here and go for renshi or kyoshi must sit physical exams as well as written. This includes doing actual kendo as well as shinpan duty. People can – and do – fail their renshi on the ability not to shinpan.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:33:04 +0000

Hi Richard, All Japan Kendo Fed’n have an English language shogo exam, usually in November. The requirements include a written test, but no physical assessment of kendo skill, that is what the dan-i sysem is for.

Interesting article George – thank you.

By: Gustavo Takano

Gustavo Takano — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:35:19 +0000

All-Brazil Kendo Federation (CBK) started recently (2007) its own shogo examinations. Written test, monography, indications from other sensei, consentment terms from regional federations, proofs of previous participations as referee, instructing seminars, and a little more … Renshi and Kyoshi, obviously no hanshi examination.

In past times, renshi and kyoshi title was awarded by CBK to very important sensei, without examination. Now, only under these FIK orientations…

By: George McCall

George McCall — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:16:57 +0000

Richard, I have no idea. You know my opinions on kendo and Japanese though!

By: Richard Stonell

Richard Stonell — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:56:09 +0000

George – do you know if that’s the reason why you can only take the shogo exams in Japanese now, or is it a reaction to that decision?

By: George McCall

George McCall — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:40:03 +0000

I think at least a couple of non-Japanese associations have started to award their own shogo, Canada and America if I remember rightly? Europe hasn’t started yet.

Although its kind of interesting, I think its the wrong path to take, for various reasons.

By: Katsuoboshi

Katsuoboshi — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:02:49 +0000

To answer my own question and to add some additional info. It is possible to be a “hanshi- nanadan” however, according to the AUSKF guidelines if one applies for takes hanshi status as a nanadan, one can not apply for the hachi-dan grading.

By: George McCall

George McCall — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:25:53 +0000

Cheers dude, interesting stuff.

By: Usagi San

Usagi San — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:51:32 +0000

Well, ok George so this are the answers to your questions:

a) – Yes, my sensei does not live in Japan;
b) – He is japanese;
c) – He got his nanadan in 2007 during the EKC in Lisbon.

I didn’t say it in my first comment, but… great stuff. Love the article.

By: George McCall

George McCall — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:27:49 +0000

Glad people like the article… its really for my own research so I am happy even if 1 or 2 people get something from it.

@Kent -> maaaaaybe I will have a look into it. I would like the kendo system to go 1-5dan, renshi, kyoshi, hanshi like Naginata!

@Raffa -> mmmm, thats not exactly correct. I think the shogo system has been devalued from what it was due to 1) the maximum dan being set so high (10…. although they wisely re-thought this) and 2) the seemingly automatic nature of being given the shogo. There is also the fact that the foreign community – in general – have no clear understanding about what these titles mean.

However, 1) has been re-thought (maximum is now 8… cant see it going below this now) and 2) is being fixed right now here in Japan. To qualify for RENSHi and KYOSHI you must attend seminars that aim to teach you how to teach. You then sit more physical and written exams. Therefore, these are (and will become more and more so) indications of your teaching ability. A license even. You may be able to get 7dan without renshi and with no intention to achieve kyoshi but…

Of course there are great teachers who are not even 6 or 7dan, and there are some 7 and 8dans that are terrible teachers… without even concerning ourselves with the shogo. So read into this what you will.

The ZNKR do have a long term plan (50 years or something?). Of course I am not privy to it, but its seems – looking at changes even since I’ve come to Japan – that there is a movement to control kendo more and more, and part of this would be who – and how you – become a teacher. I am sure you have heard the stories of how amazingly strict 6dan has become…. well, thats where it starts. Of-course, this is just my opinion/conjecture.

This comment is too long and goes right of the area that I am interested in: early shogo (specifically seirensho) and the Butokukai. Oops…….