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GRADING EXAMINATIONS I was
asked to compile a series of questions concerning every day matters with
the martial arts. In order to do this, I asked some of the masters and my
friends for their opinion and contribution for this masters series. Over
the forthcoming months, I have touched on several issues that I hope both
student and master will find helpful. "I
feel that grading exams are very important because they are a barometer of
the students progress and I think in todays
society people need goals to keep them keen and interested. When I first
started training they were not so important in fact some times you would
take a grading and not get the result until a month afterwards and maybe
wait 3 months to get your belt and probably never receive your
certificate, but now that we run a professional association students
receive their results and belts at the next training session that they
attend and normally get their certification within two weeks. I think the
Dan gradings
are even more important because the black belts have a reason to keep on
training and learning new patterns and new advanced and varied techniques." "Grading
examinations are naturally very important, as they show the measure of a
student. It is also an opportunity for the student to demonstrate more
than what is expected from the examiners, and maybe even surprise
themselves." "Grading
examinations are a very important event in the career of the student. It
gives the pupil a level in which they need to progress to. It should be
remembered the student should not be automatically given the grade because
of the amount of time they have been active, but should be tested when
they are ready to do so. If the student is not ready, we simply do not
give. We dont
award shodan (black belt first dan) to anyone under the age of fourteen
years old. With nidan (second dan black belt) the minimum age is eighteen
years old and even then they must demonstrate a very much level." "In Japan and other
eastern countries where most of the martial arts taught are said to
originate. Grading are not given the importance that they are in the West.
For example to achieve a 1st Dan black belt in most of the Japanese
martial arts this is only the beginning of the study of the individual's
chosen activity. Where as in the West. It seems to me. That as soon as an
individual obtains this illustrious black belt, he/she is immediately
looked upon "I believe that
grading examinations are very important, particularly when it comes to
children within the martial arts. My personal experience has been that
children tend to be more focused in the knowledge that they are working
towards a grading target, much like cubs / scouts etc working on their
various badge award schemes. Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu has a junior membership
numbered in their thousands, and we have found on a national and
international basis that by structuring our gradings every four months
(i.e. three national gradings a year) that we have plenty of time to
prepare our junior members for the task ahead, and generally organise two
weeks prior to the grading a mock-examination to determine which students
we will be entering the gradings. Our adult members also grade three times
a year but due to the extreme nature of our gradings, our instructors keep
a running record of their physical conditioning, knowledge of their
syllabus requirements and constantly test their martial arts knowledge and
theory in preparation for their written examination alongside the
physical. The adults therefore, I believe, work better within a structured
grading system, whereupon they are awarded for their prowess." "When I started in
karate in 1961 coloured belts were white, brown and black. Nowadays people
want to have tangible recognition of their progress in the form of
coloured belts. It is also good for business to have regular and more
examinations.It depends on your point of view whether it is important or
not." "The Japan Karate
Federation is the governing body for Karate in Japan. The JKF (Japan
Karate Federation) has an unbelievably strict testing process. One of my
close friends/colleagues tested for 7th Dan in 2003. He was one of about 5
out of 85 that passed nationally at that level. That is a very typical
pass rate. It is an all-style test conducted by a committee of examiners
from all the styles. It is very highly regarded by the Japanese. In Japan
they have different levels of testing. Firstly, they have club testing,
for example my "club" SEIWAKAI, is simply a club with many branches and
members. We have club testing and also have the option to take our Goju
Federation --JKF Gojukai tests. The Japanese and others resident in Japan
can also test with the JKF--this testing is not usually available to
foreigners who are not resident in Japan. (I have SEIWAKAI and JKF GOJUKAI
certification of 7th dan.) The JKF is made up of the 4 "ryuha" or styles.
Japan Karate Association --JKA being the Shotokan member ,JKF Gojukai, JKF
Shitokai,and JKF Wadokai for the other 3 styles. Then there is a group
called Rembukan and another called Rengokai--both multistyle groups. There
are other subdivisions too such as Prefectural orgnisations, High School
groups and University organisations. At the testing phase the Japanese can
test at club level--then style/federation and finally JKF level. Some
people only test at club level. I can vouch for the difficulty in passing
in JKF Gojukai. I am sure it is just as hard in the other groups such as
the JKA ,Wadokai and Shitokai. Above 5th dan all testing in the various
groups mentioned above must be in Japan. Here in Europe, with a panel of
Examiners, we can test up to 5th Dan. Obviously this makes testing at 6th
Dan and above very costly for those that are part of any of these above
named organisations. At club level 6th dan and above does not have to be
in Japan and we test with a panel of Examiners. Personally I am very much
in favour of the Style/Federation testing. Testing is done by a
committee/panel and it is highly unlikely those being tested are known to
the examiners--so nepotism is avoided. If someone fails it is a good
indication that they are not up to the standards of their organisation for
the level attempted. Failing someone is not "political". They have
instituted strict requirements for Nationally recognised(JKF) and
Style/Federation Dan grades. In some "clubs" grades can sometimes be
fairly iffy--some do have very high standards. "Grading examinations
are very important; it is a valuable psychological motivational tool for
the students, and helps the instructor to teach in a consistent manner.
Its a great way to set short term, medium and long-term goals. However,
it does not necessary mean a person at a higher-grade level is a better
fighter than the person at a lower grade level. This is where the
misconception of grade level occurs. A person may have achieved the grade
but does not maintain the physical training, however that person still has
the experiences and the knowledge. Overall, I think grading is much more
positive than negative." Neil Horton, Secretary of the Martial Arts Brotherhood, has created a Masters Council from a variety of highly experienced and respected masters, some of which have helped compile this series. Further information can be obtained by email neil.horton@tiscali.co.uk
Alternatively, contact Neil on 07916 206721 for further information.
© Martial Arts Brotherhood 2005
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