Achievement! Ni-Dan

Yesterday was my grading for ni-dan here in Kyoto. It’s the second test I’ve taken in Japan, so I had a better idea this time of what to expect.

Exams from shodan to go-dan are performed at the Budo Center, near Heian Jingu which is on the same property as the Butokuden. Registration starts at 8am, opening ceremonies are at 9 and the exam begins from around 9:15. It is usually an all day event, from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, with no official lunch breaks, but generally, the atmosphere is so anxious that I don't think anyone has the stomach for food anyway.

Tests in Japan are a lot different from the tests in Vancouver, at least from my experience. Granted, I only tested for ikkyu in Canada, but there I was graded on kirikaeshi, shiai and kata (the written portion was added the year I left for Japan) as well as the basic etiquette and overall neatness of appearance. 

My tests in Japan have been only shiai, written, and kata. Furthermore, testing in Vancouver took every element into account in the final grade, where as in Japan, if you do not perform well in the shiai, you are disqualified from the rest of the test and automatically failed. The same is true if you fail the subsequent written portion. So essentially in Japan, you have to pass three consecutive tests, where as in Vancouver, it's all just one big test.

Finally, the scale of testing in Japan is much larger than in Canada, which is to be expected. There are many more practitioners in Japan than in Canada, but to see so many people all in one place, all dressed for kendo still amazes me sometimes.

I went into this test with mixed feelings. On one hand, I had been reassured that my kendo was good enough to pass by many people in different dojo. However, on the other hand, in recent weeks my kendo had taken a nose dive from both the increase in heat and humidity and the increase in stress. My suddenly lack of ability to perform even basic moves for any sustained time has been an increasing frustration and worry that I had to fight with myself to overcome at the test.

Particularly worrisome was the advice I was given the week before my test to relax, to think about my strikes, to use large motion strikes, observe proper distance and show strong zanshin. While this is all, very good advice in a test situation (at least for shodan and ni-dan) where everyone wants the test over quickly, strikes come fast and furious and taking the time to think about a move takes a back burner to simply reaction and hoping that instinct isn't taking a nap.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to talk with the person I was to do my shiai with. I was grouped with the same young women as last years exam which is comforting. It's always a little nerve racking to fight against someone new. We watched the shiai before us and came up with a workable strategy for a well timed shiai. 

Testing in the lower levels is not about winning, or even about getting a perfect hit. Rather, a lot more of the shiai grade is based on spirit, correct awareness and correct basics. To have an opponent who understands that it is mutually beneficial to not be flailing about in a mad attempt to strike as many times as possible is best.

As is usually the case, I don’t recall much of my actual shiai after the official called “hajime”. It was fast paced and intense. The 40 seconds of both rounds seemed to take an eternity as much as they seemed to be over in an instant, and after it was over, the stress lifted up from me, and I felt fine and at peace with whatever grade I was given.

It doesn't actually take long for the results to be decided. In a panel of 5 judges per court on four courts, it needs to go fast if the test is going to be finished in a decent amount of time. Results are recorded on large sheets of paper. If your number is on the paper, you have passed, and will be tested on the written portion after all the shiai tests have been decided.

The written portion of the exam is probably the easiest for me. I have a lot of self conscious anxiety when asked to perform in front of other people. When writing an answer on my own, there is no problem. Tests are split by court, and a seating order is determined by the number given at the registration. Testees are requested to have their own pencils and erasers. The officials hand out the test papers once everyone has their correct seating and then the written test begins.

The ni-dan test was much like the shodan test. Out of the three possible questions released, two are tested. This year they were written on the paper we were given. Last year they were hung on easels. I prefer this year’s method.

After the written portion is finished, tests are graded, and those who fail are eliminated. During this time, though, most people retreat outside to practice their kata before the final leg of the examination.

Kata is tested 8 at a time; four uchidachi and 4 shidachi. I know many people don’t take kata seriously, and it is not something that is usually practiced in a normal practice session, but I’m always a little disappointed by the show of kata at the tests. There are so many people who do it lifelessly, with no enthusiasm or vigor. I think it’s because kata is my favorite part of kendo, and when one has a good partner, it’s a lot of fun and more energetic than a lot of people give it credit for.

For ni-dan, kata is tested from ippon me to gohon me. I ended up as shidachi this time which is the first time, actually, that I have ever been shidachi at a test. I tripped a bit on ippon me when my foot got stuck to the floor, and I missed the suriage men by a mile on gohon me, so I was sure I was going to fail, but apparently, my performance was very good comparatively, so I passed easily.

Unfortunately, none of my other friends passed. Granted they were all trying for yon-dan and higher which is where things start getting really difficult, if the pass/fail rate is any indication, so tonight, I was treated to victory geiko, which roughly means, congratulations, now we're going to stop taking it easy on you.

Suffice to say, practice tonight was pretty intense, especially considering it was 31 degrees in the dojo. Practicing in the summer heat makes it incredibly difficult to move but, as ni-dan now, I have to make it my effort to ignore all the uncomfortable things that would otherwise slow me down, and simply go, go, go.