CONGRATULATIONS TO DARREN ON HIS 4TH DAN WITH THE BKA

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On Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd May the British Kendo Association held their annual West Midlands Iaido seminar with a grading upto Yondan on the last afternoon. Being the first West Midlands seminar after lockdown it was a full house of 60 students led by Fay Goodman Sensei, Nanadan Kyoshi.

Assisting her were 3 Rokudans all holding the Renshi title which included the current BKA Squad coach.

 

On the first day the seminar was split in to 4 grade groups with a Sensei working with each group for 3 techniques before moving on to another group. This allowed all of the 12 Seitei-gata, including the specific Chakugan-ten (grading points) for each kata, to be covered by the 4 teachers.

 

The second day the groups were the same but this time the teacher stayed with that group only.

I was fortunate to have Fay Goodman Sensei. This time the practice was concentrate on the reiho and our grading katas which were notified to us prior to the start of the day. For Yondan this was 1 free choice of Koryu which I chose Shohatto and 4 Shitei waza (complusary techniques) of Ushiro, Sanpogiri, Ganmenate and Sougiri. The shitei waza are chosen by the Sensei on the course and they are different for each grade and seminar though occassionally they overlap.

 

Anyone attempting Shodan and above much complete a written grading paper which consisting of 6 questions.

This paper needs to be submitted in advance of the seminar and passed before you can sit the "physical" shinza (grading). The "physical" shinza part is also known as Jitsugi or practical skill. 

For an attemp of Yondan there needs to be 6 shinza-in (grading panelists) of Rokudan and above and you require least 4 votes from the panel to pass. The 4 teachers of the course and another Nanadan Kyoshi & Rokudan Renshi attended to make up the panelists. 

 

The grading took place in grade order, from the lowest grade to the highest. This meant I was last on! 

 

It not just the waiting for your grading it is also the wait after whilst the grading officer reviews the panelists notes to determine who has passed or failed. I hate waiting!

 

Subtle celebrations ensued after the posting of the results and a lot of handshakes and well dones. For me it didn't end there. I spoke to all the garding panelists to gain feedback on my grading to help me improve going orward.