Appreciate everyone's participation and efforts in making this a successful grading event for beginners and kids. 💕
Talking About Grading: fees, attitudes and purposes
Grading is an integral part of the Kendo journey, along with Keiko (training) and Shiai (tournaments). Each aspect shapes a Kendoka’s growth in its own unique way.
Fees:
We pay membership fees for regular training and event fees to participate in tournaments. Similarly, fees are required to challenge the Kyu/Dan Promotion Examination, which we often simply refer to as grading.
From the organization’s perspective, grading fees serve as a necessary source of income. It's widely agreed among members—Kendo enthusiasts—that this is not just a contribution to our local clubs, like the Waikato Kendo Association, or national bodies like the New Zealand Kendo Federation (NZKF). It extends to the broader Kendo community, even reaching the International Kendo Federation (IKF). More importantly, grading acknowledges our members’ learning milestones, reflecting the hard work and dedication they’ve invested through quality training over time.
Attitudes:
Grading is a formal event in the Kendo journey. At the Waikato Kendo Club, we offer the first grading free for all our members. This provides a valuable learning opportunity, allowing beginners to experience what a Kendo grading looks and feels like. This initial exposure helps them better prepare for future gradings as they progress on their path.
For the Little Samurai class, our grading system serves as a scaffolding tool for this young group of kids. It helps guide them in following instructions, managing stressful situations, and building resilience. These skills extend beyond Kendo—they're essential life skills. We hope that our Little Samurais will transfer what they learn in Kendo to their school and personal lives, becoming not only good students but also leading healthy and successful lives in the future.
For our adult beginners, we have outlined the specific requirements for each Kyu grade to help you set clear learning and training goals on your way to achieving Dan grades. This system allows you to evaluate your own progress, recognize areas for improvement, and know where and how to seek guidance when needed.
Purposes:
Kendo is a lifelong companion. Throughout this journey, we will encounter many joyful and rewarding moments, as well as challenges and uncomfortable situations. However, true fulfilment in Kendo comes from both experiences, especially the satisfaction of overcoming difficulties.
We sincerely invite you and your children to embrace the challenges of training (Keiko 稽古), grading (Shinsa 審査), and competition (Shiai 試合). Through these experiences, you’ll discover how this ancient Japanese martial art can inspire a better life in modern society and help you enjoy life to the fullest.
Some photos from the event:
Together, we achieve more!
💪💪💪
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