Standards in Testing

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Issue 13 - June 2003

Standards In Testing

By Sammy Briggs

When Obata Kaiso created Shinkendo, he chose to use a different type of ranking system than the standard kyu/dan system adopted by many modern Japanese (and even non-Japanese) martial arts. He elected to do this for several reasons – one of them due to the saturation of gratuitous dan rankings given away by so many teachers.

Additionally, Kaiso did not want his students to be compared with those of other styles, which still adhere to the kyu/dan system. For example, when comparing two students of different sword schools, it is common for people to believe that the higher ranked individual will naturally be the more skilled. This cannot hold true however, as each school has its own grading criteria and expectations. Obata Kaiso often uses the example of the 9th dan shogi (Japanese chess) player who attends the same event as the 10th dan go (Japanese checkers) player. It can only be assumed that the go player is more skilled that the shogi player due to the higher dan rank. In reality, the two completely different games cannot be compared as such. Additionally, the dan system used to grade shogi players tops out at 9th dan – no higher rank is achievable.

Sensei Butch, Head of Shinkendo Philippine Group, awarding a Menjo to a student.

Shinkendo Philippine Group students who were awarded new ranks.

At the Honbu Dojo, I was fortunate to be able to train directly under Kaiso, five days a week if desired. Students that trained seriously for four or five days a week typically will be expected to test every three months until obtaining the rank of hyaku-e. After obtaining hyaku-e, the time progression involved in obtaining future ranks increases exponentially. For example, hyaku-e to ren-e may take one to one and one half years. Ren-e toji-e will usually take about two years, and so forth. This is not being conservative, but is quite normal for a “full-time” student. Many branch dojos, such as the Tsuki Kage Dojo, led by Nathan Scott Sensei, opt to test less frequently. In his case, Scott Sensei will conduct testing about every six months, to those students whom he believes are ready to advance.

Time and skill are not always the only factors involved when testing, however. Naoya Araki began training with Kaiso when he was nine years old. As a young adult, Naoya was asked to test for nidan in Aikido. Although Naoya’s skill and time of training well matched the potential rank of nidan, Naoya declined to test. Why? At that time, Yukishiro Obata Soke Dairi was ranked as a shodan. Naoya realized this and believed that it would be an unspoken breach of etiquette for him to be ranked above his sempai, Yukishiro. Indeed, Yukishiro had spent more time on the mat than Naoya, and accordingly, his skill was far more advanced, even at his young age.

In a similar instance, one of Kaiso’s students from many years ago was asked to test for an upper level rank. Despite having very good technique, this student refused to test. He began his training at the request of his boss, Mr. Ichiyanagi (affectionately known as “the candy man”), and believed that he was studying more for his employer than for a true love of the art. This student did not seek out his training under Kaiso on his own accord, and therefore did not feel that he was not deserving of the advanced rank.

There are many more situations such as these, and many that are quite the opposite; where time of training, skill and etiquette are overlooked. More recently, students will test any time the opportunity presents itself, and the unspoken rules of etiquette are overlooked. This is unfortunate, as it is obvious that the student is testing only for his own personal gains. If a student takes an extended leave of absence, or attends class only a few times a month, he will probably not be ready to advance to the next level. Yet, often times, he or she will expect to test, believing that they are well prepared. Only in extreme cases, such as the student who practices diligently at home on a daily basis, should that person be allowed to test. In other instances, a student may wish to advance to a rank equal to or even beyond that of his sempai. Many would consider it quite brazen for a student to assume a rank higher than that of those who helped teach him.

In reality, there is no meter that tells when a student should test. Everyone has their own reasons for studying, and accordingly, everyone will have a difference in ranking ideology. Some students will test when, in their hearts, they feel that they are ready, and some will test because it’s an opportunity for promotion. Although skill and mat time factor in highly, these are not the only criteria when grading a student. Other factors include age, maturity, dedication to the art, motives for studying and so forth. Often times a student is tested depending on how far he has progressed within his own means. Despite hard training and a strong will, a mediocre student may never have the potential as one who is more talented. Is it fair to hold this student back, despite having made considerable gains within his own realm? That is a question only the instructor can answer.

Kaiso put a great deal of time and effort into the creation of Shinkendo and its ranking structure. Many instructors have been entrusted with grading and licensing students in branch dojo from around the world. It is up to us to maintain the high standards of Shinkendo in order to ensure the art that we have strived so hard to perfect can be passed on for many generations to come.

The author wishes to thank Nathan Scott in helping to prepare this article.