Kendo Grading

The kendo grading system, like many Japanese martial arts, uses the Kyū (級) and Dan (段) ranking system. The club holds internal gradings up to 2nd Kyu, thereafter all gradings are national and run by the BKA.

Here's a breakdown:  

Kyū (級) Grades:

• • These are the beginner grades.

  • They progress in descending order, starting with 6th Kyū (the lowest) and going up to 1st Kyū (the highest Kyū grade).

  • Kyū gradings (up to 2nd Kyū are conducted within individual dojos. 1st Kyū is a nationally awared grade.

Dan (段) Grades:

• • These are the advanced grades.

  • They progress in ascending order, starting with 1st Dan (Shodan) and going up to 8th Dan (Hachidan).  

  • Dan gradings are conducted by national or international kendo organizations.

  • It is also important to note that unlike some martial arts, Kendo does not use coloured belts to denote rank.

Key aspects of the kendo grading system:

• Emphasis on Skill and Character: Gradings assess not only technical skill but also mental attitude, spirit, and proper etiquette.

• Progressive Difficulty: Each grade becomes progressively more challenging, requiring increased skill, knowledge, and experience. From Shodan up, there is a minimum amount of time before you are eligible to take the next grading test. It is equal in years to the grade you currently hold, e.g. if you are 1st dan, you must wait one year before you can attempt 2nd dan and so on up the grades. 

• Focus on Fundamentals: Even at higher levels, a strong emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of kendo.

• Zanshin: a very important concept in Kendo, that is also judged during gradings. Zanshin is a state of continued awareness and readiness.