Almost exactly 15 years ago I wrote an article entitled “A brief investigation into the shogo system” in which I discussed not only the shogo system itself, but the history behind the dan-i (normal grades) we use as well. The article was indeed brief and didn’t really go into detail about how to acquire the shogo titles, mainly because I had not gone through the process myself yet. Still, pretty much everything in that older article is accurate.
Over the years, as I have talked to many people, read a lot of books, and gone through the process myself, I have gained a lot more knowledge of the ins-and-outs of the system: the processes, the purpose, and it’s not-so-good points.
A few people over the years have asked me how it works over here, so in this article I will look at the system a bit more and – as an added bonus – also include the essays I submitted (translated into English) for my shogo. It is important to note that I am talking about the process in Japan for members of local federations.
On that note, I am – to my knowledge – the only non-Japanese person (at the time of writing) to go through both the renshi and kyoshi exams on the same terms as locals since the system was overhauled back in 2000. The only other long-term non-Japanese kyoshi I know in Japan applied via his home federation: the process he went through was different (see below).
btw, today’s article is about kendo, not the other ZNKR arts of iaido or jodo, though I expect they work in a similar fashion.
Pre-2000
The shogo/dan-i system was overhauled in 2000 with some slight amendments happening in 2008 and 2012. It has been difficult to find what the exact changes were and what it was like before 2000, so this part of the article is based on partly on hear-say, some first-hand, some not. It is also, necessarily, brief. btw, “pre-2000” is split into two sections: pre-war (Butokukai) and post-war (ZNKR). ymmv.
1. Pre-war (Butokukai)
As hinted at in my prior shogo-related article, the Butokukai issued awards every year after or during the Kyoto Taikai. Your performance at the taikai was explicitly connected to this. It goes to say that you would have to show up and take part in order to get the award.
(For most of kendo’s history not only the shogo, but all the highest grades were tied to the Kyoto Taikai. This only started to change sometime in the early 80s or thereabouts – I am not sure exactly – when the kodansha gradings were moved BEFORE the taikai itself and then, eventually in the 90s, when an extra hachidan grading was added in Tokyo. Nowadays there are many chances to take kodansha grades all over the country and the Kyoto Taikai connection is completely broken. )
2. Post-war (ZNKR)
Again, I am not 100% sure of the changes that happened over the years from the creation of the ZNKR (1952) until 2000, but in general it seemed to be a relatively easy process: individual prefectures would recommend people for shogo and, after paying a fee and handing in a “kendo resume” for the individual concerned – the ZNKR would award the title.
Note that pre-war your shogo had a direct impact on the type of kendo related professional jobs you could get as well as your compensation. Also, in the very early years of the Butokukai those awarded hanshi received a yearly stipend from the organisation, though this didn’t last long.
People outside of Japan could do this as well, except this time their country’s federation would do the recommending.
(Sorry for the vagueness of this section… I guess I probably could research the exact rules, I just don’t have the time. Still, it’s enough to get the gist I think.)
Post 2000
In order to make the shogo awarding (and grading) process less opaque, the ZNKR re-visited its rules and announced a new system in 2000 (amended 2008). Part of this included stopping new awards of kyudan and judan, as well as specifying things like a one-year wait between rokudan and renshi, a two year wait between nanadan and kyoshi, and the introduction of written essays for both. Hanshi was – and is – still handled slightly differently. At this time, by adding a written exam – only Japanese accepted – kenshi abroad were basically denied shogo (this would change later).
Note that before these changes you would occasionally find people with shogo/dan combinations that can’t be had nowadays, e.g. renshi godan or hanshi nanadan.
Let me break the system down as it stands today. First of all, the shogo are awarded by the ZNKR themselves, so their rules are:
Duration/time
- You can only take renshi a year after passing rokudan
- You can only take kyoshi two years after passing nanadan; you must have renshi already.
- You can only take hanshi eight years after passing hachidan; you must have kyoshi already.
Qualifications
- For each shogo your local prefectural must recommend you.
Exam
- For renshi you must submit an essay set by the ZNKR. The essay topic is set in advance.
- For kyoshi you must go in and sit an essay test set on the day*. Potential essay topics are set in advance.
- For hanshi you need to submit a resume including your kendo background, teaching experience, what you’ve written about kendo and so on.
* During the pandemic period the kyoshi essay could be sent by post.
Getting the recommendation
Local prefectures must recommend you to the ZNKR and how they do this is up to the prefecture itself. Some prefectures require you to attend seminars (e.g. Osaka), in some you must shinpan (e.g. Tokyo), but in others – generally with smaller kendo populations (e.g. Iwate) – you basically have to do nothing. There is a wide variation about how this is done and – I suspect – money is a factor: both Osaka and Tokyo have a large hachidan population to support.
Renshi and kyoshi are tested, but hanshi is a little bit different. I have heard tales of people NOT being recommended for hanshi for a long time because, basically, they weren’t popular or – sad to say – whomever had control over the local prefecture simply didn’t like them (for whatever reason). This is potentially why sometimes you get people who are kyoshi hachidan for ever and never make hanshi, or do so only after a long time.
An alternative way to get shogo in Japan
A number of years ago (10? 15?), the ZNKR joined a national coaching scheme run by what is now called the Japan Sport Association. This association basically provides various services, including overseeing seminars and the awarding of coaching licenses for various sports. As far as I can work out, these courses/qualifications are aimed at the average Joe running a local community sports club, though some amateur seem to require instructors to get coaching licenses this way.
Being a high school kendo teacher, it doesn’t really apply to me as I teach on a daily basis and don’t need to get taught how to do it (though I could take the courses if I wanted). So, truth be told, I haven’t payed any more than a passing interest in the scheme.
The ZNKR has been running coaching seminars for a number of years now, with three levels of awards being issued: instructor, mid-level instructor, and high-level instructor. To join the seminar for the basic level you must be over 22 and at least sandan. The top level license requires you to be at least 30 and godan. Licenses must be renewed every four years or they lapse.
Anyway, the reason I even mention it here is that possession of a valid mid-level or high-level license when you are ready to apply to the ZNKR for renshi and kyoshi respectively means that you can skip the written part of the test. A recommendation from your local association is still necessary however.
What if I live outside of Japan?
I must admit, since I’ve lived here for over two decades, I have very little knowledge about how kendo is run abroad. But, afaik, it depends on your federation. Some now issue their own shogo – as is their right – so I can’t comment on that*, others only do the ZNKR route, or offer a choice of either. If you choose to do a ZNKR awarded renshi or kyoshi it is basically as described above, except (nowadays) you can do your essay in English (and only English..). Renshi is by post, kyoshi you have to come to Tokyo in November and sit a written test (when not in “pandemic mode”). How the recommendation works is, of course, up the country federation. I have a bit more to say on this topic but you’d need to ask me in person with a beer in hand.
The difference between the other non-Japanese kyoshi I mentioned above and me is that I did the seminars, the “preliminary exam” and submitted essays in Japanese (see below), whereas he didn’t go through these steps. His application and registration fee were far below mine. Obviously he’s smarter than me!
(*Unfortunately I heard of one federation where the people running it awarded themselves shogo without any oversight of any kind…)
Renshi (my experience)
When I did my renshi I had to attend two seminars in a one year period, after which I did a something called a “preliminary exam.”
Seminars are not a thing in Japan like they are abroad. When they do happen they are one day affairs and aren’t really “events” per-se. Here in Osaka there are three type of seminars that happen: kata, shinpan, and teaching-methods.
Anyway, after attending a couple of seminars (which, I forget) I did the “preliminary exam” in order to get my renshi recommendation. This “test” involved me doing some kata and shinpan. I also did shiai, but the performance wasn’t graded. Everyone who attended passed.
With that I now had the Osaka prefecture kendo association recommendation so all I had to do was write an essay (in Japanese), pay my application fee, and send it. After passing you had to pay a registration fee.
The question was simple: “What are the key points for the mindset of teaching kendo.” The answer for which can be found in the ZNKRs official textbooks. You are expected to just copy verbatim from the textbooks basically, not adding in anything unique (as is the norm in the education system here). I was a bit cheeky and added a little bit about “international” kendo so it wouldn’t be exactly the same as everyone elseses.
Anyway, below is a ChatGTP translation of my original Japanese answer.
Key Points for the Mindset in Teaching Kendo (剣道指導の心構えの要点)
Key Point 1: The True Meaning of the Shinai
Focus on teaching how to handle the shinai (bamboo sword) based on the principles of the sword. Kendo aims to unify the mind, energy, and body through the shinai, cultivating oneself as part of this path. Through rigorous training with the “shinai as a sword,” practitioners seek to elevate both their own spirit and that of their opponent alongside physical improvement. The goal is to integrate the shinai with the mind and body as one, and this concept should be instilled during instruction.
Key Point 2: Etiquette
Emphasise the importance of etiquette in teaching. As one of Japan’s traditional martial arts, the essence of kendo lies in respecting courtesy and discipline. Whether in the dojo or at competition venues, it is essential to remember and practice etiquette, respecting one’s opponent. By consistently valuing proper etiquette, practitioners naturally acquire good manners, which in turn positively influence their daily behaviour and interactions in various situations. This emphasis on etiquette should also extend to teaching younger generations and children, helping it take root and become a fundamental aspect of their practice.
Key Point 3: Lifelong Kendo
Encourage the pursuit of kendo as a lifelong journey, emphasising safety and health while fostering personal growth throughout one’s life. Kendo transcends age and gender, offering a path for mutual learning across generations. Through kendo, practitioners can nurture a fulfilling life and contribute to the vitality of society. From a cultural perspective, kendo should be passed down as part of Japan’s cultural heritage. This includes understanding the historical development of kendo, the original purpose of kendo kata, and its educational aspects. It is particularly important to convey these concepts in an accessible way to kendo practitioners abroad, ensuring the tradition is shared and preserved globally.
Kyoshi (my experience)
For kyoshi (again, in the case of Osaka) you have two years in which to do four seminars, after which you must again do the “preliminary exam” described above. The whole process was exactly the same as renshi except they actually failed people in the kyoshi preliminary test. For renshi if you can’t do or are bad at kata or shinpan they will teach you, for kyoshi you kind of get berated. What happens if you fail, I have no idea, thankfully.
Once passing you move onto the real ZNKR kyoshi test. Luckily for me the test was still in “pandemic mode” so I didn’t have to actually go to Tokyo and sit a written test. Despite being confident in Japanese, doing a hand written test on the spot would’ve been well out of my comfort zone (if you make kanji mistakes they fail you).
This time the question was more “open” and allowed more scope for individual opinion. I hand wrote it in Japanese (it took ages…). ChatGTP managed to translate it into acceptable English in under a second.
The Role of a Kendo Instructor (剣道指導者としてのあり方)
As a public school teacher, I have spent a long time reflecting on the question, “What does it mean to be a teacher?” In simple terms, a teacher is someone who inspires and guides others in life, often fulfilling this role by setting a good example. Teachers must possess various qualities, such as empathy, patience, and knowledge. They should also demonstrate a lifelong commitment to learning. These same qualities apply to the role of a kendo instructor.
Generally, kendo instructors have two primary roles. The first is a technical role, and the second is the responsibility of conveying the knowledge and culture of kendo (budo).
From a technical perspective, an instructor must not only master basic techniques and demonstrate them correctly but also explain them in a way that students (or disciples) can understand. It is crucial to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each student and tailor teaching methods accordingly. Moreover, instructors are expected to refine their own skills over the years while teaching their students, fostering mutual growth in what is known as “Shitei Doko” (master and disciple advancing together).
Because kendo is a unique traditional Japanese culture, instructors bear the responsibility of learning about the history and culture of kendo and passing that knowledge on to their students. The word “culture” encompasses history, philosophy, customs, etiquette, and behaviour. Of course, the culture of kendo evolves with time and will continue to do so. Instructors must recognise that they are part of this ever-evolving culture and hold some responsibility for shaping its future.
While I have outlined the two general roles of a kendo instructor, there is a third critical role: fostering the mental aspect of students. Through years of dedicated practice, one develops mental strength and stability. It is important for instructors to convey this mental resilience to their students and nurture their mental growth. This responsibility extends beyond the dojo, helping students apply these principles to their daily lives.
In conclusion, kendo instructors have two fundamental roles: serving as technical instructors and role models, and as transmitters of kendo knowledge and culture. However, the essence of being a kendo instructor lies not merely in teaching techniques or cultural knowledge but in playing a vital role in supporting the mental and spiritual growth of their students.
Value and cost
After going through the process, there’s obviously a few problems. First of all is the VALUE of the shogo. As a kendo history nerd I have a long fascination with the shogo, and they have always attracted me. Getting my renshi was almost a semi-religious experience. However, that feeling fades quickly when the bill comes in. I can’t comment about things outside of Japan, but here kodansha grades are expensive. Rokudan, nanadan, hachidan, are super expensive, adding the shogo to that and it’s shocking. For example, here was the cost (JPY) of my kyoshi:
Seminars 4 x 2200 = 8,800
Pre-test 5,500
Kyoshi application 23,100
Kyoshi registration 72,600 (passing fee)
Total: 110,000
Honestly speaking, the high cost of both the application and (especially) the “registration” fee are a mystery. Some prefectures (e.g. Iwate) don’t require seminars or pre-testing, but even then it’s expensive.
Still, the shogo are a part of kendo’s culture, and if you value that part of kendo then you kind of have to suck-up the expense part.
This article probably deserved a closer examination into the actual rules prior to 2000, so I might update it in the future. Also, it is incomplete in that I still don’t have hanshi and so can’t really go into detail about that. If all goes to plan I might be able to append that information later… in about 16 years or so. I don’t recommending holding you breath.
Anyway, I hope this post has managed to answer some questions you may have. If you have more questions or want to share your own personal experiences, please feel free to comment. Cheers!
