Kendo Examination


A Kendo examination is different from a match and is not a competition for points. An examination is evaluated based on one's general ability. The major criteria are:

Are examiners able to adhere to proper basic Kendo?
Proper posture should be maintained when getting or getting hit.
Bending of waist, bending of neck, raising the left hand for defense and/or intentionally going into "Tsuba-zeriai" from oneself will reflect poorly on the examiners, no matter how successful one may have avoided getting hit. Fundamentally, one should use footwork and one's Shinai to manage opponent's attack, thus allowing examiners to maintain proper posture. Hit properly at ideal opportunities.

Not hitting at the ideal opportunities, such as "Debana" (beginning of the opponent's action), "Hikigiwa" (beginning of the opponent's backward movement), the instance after receiving an attack, the instance the opponent has become immobilized, et cetera, will most likely result in an incomplete attack. The more one hits incomplete points, the less likely one's chance will be of passing. One should strive not to hit incomplete points, and focus on hitting points that count.

Are examiners full of fighting spirit?
Aggressively attacking from yourself; The roots of Kendo are based on combat. Therefore, the examiners should show attitudes of willingness to attack forward from themselves, to their full ability. Even if one does hit the point, if one is spiritually weaker than one's opponent and/or is not fighting aggressively from oneself, the hit will not be a point.

Daringly (Sutemi) attack from yourself:
If one strongly feels like attacking from oneself with the feeling of the attack becoming an "Aiuchi" (simultaneous attacks resulting in a loss for both sides), one should not worry even if one gets hit. Having the spiritual intention of, "you slice skin, I cut meat; you cut meat, I cut through bone" and one must attack without withholding anything (i.e. spirit, energy, speed, and et cetera).

Standards for Examination

In Kendo, the higher one's degree becomes, the more is demanded to have a higher level of both skills and mental/spiritual aspects. The criteria for each degree and especially for all previous degree is further demanded, as one increases one's degree.

  • Shodan (1st Degree)

    Must be able to enter and exit the court properly
    From a distance of nine steps from each other, the examiners with both of their hands down should do a standing bow (15 degrees). Next only the left hand (with Shinai) should be brought up to the waste. Then from the right foot move 2 steps forward and on the third step, as one draws the Shinai, adjust the distance between each other and "Sonkyo". Start practice with the "Tachiai-nin" (judge) calls "Hajime" and when "Yame" is called, come back to the starting position, "Kamae" in a "Chudan" position, then both examiners at the same time will "Sonkyo", "Noutou" (="Osame-tou"), stand up and from the left foot take five steps back, do a standing bow and exit the court.

    Must be able to hold the Shinai correctly Hold the Shinai lightly from the above with the fingers. The following fingers should be lightly tightened. For the left hand, the pinkie, right and middle fingers. For the right hand, the pinkie and the right finger. Hold so that the back of both hands would be 90 degrees with respect to the floor. Under no circumstances: tighten up the thumb and the pint finger, hold the Shinai by the palm of hands, hold the Shinai from the side.

    Must be able to do proper "Kirikaeshi"
    Maintain a loud voice, proper posture, proper "Kamae", and proper distance. After the "Shomen", one should inhale and in one breath, the nine left/right men hits and the next Shomen should be carried out. This should be repeated and the voice should be heard until the "Zanshin" after the last Shomen.
    The left hand should always be raised above the head and pass only along the center line down to the sternum height.
    The wrists should be turned at the top of the head during the continuous left and right means hits. The blade should be turned and cut down at approximately 45 degrees. The Shinai when cutting down must reach approximately to the target area. Cut in large, accurate movements and shoulders should be relaxed. (Difference should be apparent depending on degree level.)

    Must be able to hit with "Ki Ken Tai no Icchi"
    In hitting, the following 3 items must occur at the same time,
    Ki = spirit, voice
    Ken = Shinai, to the target
    Tai = foot, stepping in
    The practice must be energetic and full of spirit. However, it cannot be "Kakari-geiko"
    Must be able to do proper one hit attack and 2 hit-waza such as "Kote-Men", and 1 to 2 decisive points must be made.

  • Nidan (2nd Degree)

    Must be able to apply techniques at proper opportunities, during the match.

    1. Shikake-waza:attacking from oneself
      One hit attack: simple techniques such as Kote, Men, Do, and Tsuki
      Harai-waza: hit at the instant when an opportunity arises
      2, 3 hit-waza: continuous combination hits such as Kote-Men, Kote-Do, Kote-Men-Do, and etc.
      Debana-waza: hit just at the beginning of the opponent's attack such as De-Gote, Debana-Men, and etc.
      Hiki-waza: "hit away from 'Tsuba-zeriai" such as Hiki-Men, Hiki-Do, Hiki-Gote
      Ouji-waza:to defend against opponent's Shinai with one's own Shinai or to "Suriage" and attack, such as Ouji-do, Kote-Suriage-Men, Kote-Kaeshi-Men, and etc.
      Nuki-waza: to avoid the opponent's hit by using footwork, then hitting, such as Kote-Nuki-Men, Men-Nuki-Do, and etc.
      Note:
      The examiners should try to show as many of the above mentioned techniques as possible during combat. In many cases, younger people will tend to favor hitting faster, resulting in a linear hit without much vertical cutting movement (e.g. Sashi-Men). This type of hitting will not be favorable with examiners. The examiner's Shinai must show vertical cutting movement when hitting.

  • Sandan (3rd Degree)

    1. Kendo must show significant "Seme" and "Kensen" To be able to apply pressure to one's "Kensen" directed toward the opponent's center, showing confidence and spiritual power, not losing posture or being surprised by the opponent's attack and not engaging in any action prematurely.

    2. All Waza must be initiated with sharp and accurate "Seme" In 2nd Dan a slight display attacking on "timing" and /or "rhythm" is acceptable. However, in 3 Dan, examiners are required to carefully observe the opponents actions and attack accurately and sharply with "Seme", in addition to what is required in 2 Dan.

    3. Ouji-waza, Kaeshi-waza, and Suriage-waza must be displayed. During the battle with the opponent, one must use one's Shinai to redirect the opponent's attack and follow with one's own attack.
      Note: One must not only be full of spiritual energy, but one must also remain calm and collected to analyze one's opponent.

  • Yondan (4th Degree)

    It is a level where most techniques in Kendo, and "Kamae" are close to being perfected and not only is a variety of techniques demanded but also, the strength of the hit, the sharpness of the hit, and the examiner must look dignified. Further more, general strength in Kendo must be apparent and even slight aggressiveness is allowed. Spiritual energy must be maintained and the posture can never be lost.

  • Godan (5th Degree)

    The strength developed in 4th degree and the flexibility when using techniques, inviting opponents and being able to manipulate them, skillful use of both footwork and Shinai is demanded. In other words, Kendo must be based upon "Riai" (ideal logical reasons behind movements). Ideal Kendo without impractical actions or useless action is demanded.

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