Only 6 more practices before the big day. We have iaidô grading on August 23. Actually it's more of a dan grading than average grading; also many first timers are trying to get shodan.
There is a big difference between kyû and dan grading. In Japan kyû students don't have a written exam, they only perform their 5 favorite katas and hope for the best; but when it comes to dan grading the students have a written exam too. Takada Sensei gives the exam questions and deadline about two months before the grading so that you'll have a month before returning your report. If you miss the deadline, try again next year no excuses accepted. It's hard to imagine how anyone could miss the deadline. This year's questions for shodan, nidan and sandan were:
1) Tell about the founder of iaidô
2) Write the names of the techniques you have practiced
3) Name the parts of a sword
4) What is mekuteki (目的) of iaidô?
5) The Rules of Nippon Iaidô Kyôkai
The actual grading part is also different. You can't choose your favorite katas and hope for the best; on the contrary Takada Sensei reveals the katas you have to do 10 minutes before the grading. 10 minutes to practice and memorize and after that there's also the waiting part to sit in seiza and wait for your turn. I can already feel the pressure and anxiety.
Until now one Shodan kata called juntô has been on a black list. I still remember how my first Sensei emphasized never ever to do juntô in a demonstration, grading or anywhere else for that matter, except during practice. For those who are not familiar with juntô its purpose is to assist a person who is committing seppuku. Well last Sunday something strange happened. Takada Sensei informed that juntô is not anymore off the limits when it comes to grading! Yes, that's right. Everyone was astounded! Obviously no one had practiced juntô as much as the other katas because we all thought that it will be automatically excluded from the grading.
I have a feeling that juntô is going to be one of the requested katas. Let's see how it turns out. Until then practice, practice!
There is a big difference between kyû and dan grading. In Japan kyû students don't have a written exam, they only perform their 5 favorite katas and hope for the best; but when it comes to dan grading the students have a written exam too. Takada Sensei gives the exam questions and deadline about two months before the grading so that you'll have a month before returning your report. If you miss the deadline, try again next year no excuses accepted. It's hard to imagine how anyone could miss the deadline. This year's questions for shodan, nidan and sandan were:
1) Tell about the founder of iaidô
2) Write the names of the techniques you have practiced
3) Name the parts of a sword
4) What is mekuteki (目的) of iaidô?
5) The Rules of Nippon Iaidô Kyôkai
The actual grading part is also different. You can't choose your favorite katas and hope for the best; on the contrary Takada Sensei reveals the katas you have to do 10 minutes before the grading. 10 minutes to practice and memorize and after that there's also the waiting part to sit in seiza and wait for your turn. I can already feel the pressure and anxiety.
Until now one Shodan kata called juntô has been on a black list. I still remember how my first Sensei emphasized never ever to do juntô in a demonstration, grading or anywhere else for that matter, except during practice. For those who are not familiar with juntô its purpose is to assist a person who is committing seppuku. Well last Sunday something strange happened. Takada Sensei informed that juntô is not anymore off the limits when it comes to grading! Yes, that's right. Everyone was astounded! Obviously no one had practiced juntô as much as the other katas because we all thought that it will be automatically excluded from the grading.
I have a feeling that juntô is going to be one of the requested katas. Let's see how it turns out. Until then practice, practice!
1 comment:
4. What is the MOKUTEKI of iaido.
Meaning "goal" or something like it...
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