• see sign-up cover letter
  • dojo application forms have been uploaded to each dojo's google drive "from_sckf" folder
  • applications are due 3/28 (see submission notes later in this page)
  • cover letter must be signed by dojo head instructor (please use it as a check list for requirements)
  • forms must include rank, birthdate, height, and weight for each participant
  • per the SCKF promotional examination regulations, 4dan applicants must also have participated in both kata and shinpan seminars within the last 2 years. Attendance lists are posted for the following:
    • 4/6/14 shinpan seminar
    • 9/14/14 kata seminar
    • 3/29/15 shinpan seminar
    • 7/19/15 kata seminar
    • 2/28/16 shinpan seminar
  • names will appear on menjo as they appear on the application form
    If you wish to make any name changes, a special request needs to be made to AUSKF, as they will be confirming kenshi names and membership status. Please clearly note any such change requests on your form when submitting it.
  • SCKF membership deadline was 12/31, plus kenshi must also have paid dues for the current year

• blank form for non-SCKF participants
  Note: you will need the approval and signature of your regional federation. Please also be sure to get approval from your dojo head instructor.

• shinsa location: El Rancho High School
  6501 Passons Bl, Pico Rivera CA 90660
  Salcido Auxiliary Gym (at Loch Alene Ave and Homebrook St, see map)
  (same location as 2/28 shinpan seminar)

• sign in closes at 10:30am
  • no late applicants allowed!
  • 1kyu through 4dan applicants: turn in your completed written tests at sign-in

• the following must be practiced at the dojo (there will be no demonstration at the shinsa)
  • 2-person rei procedure for yudansha applicants
  • kihon test for 4kyu applicants
    note: motodachi will return to blocking men on kirikaeshi

• see below for more information on the shinsa as well as results

• brief summary of promotional examination regulations and criteria:
  • 4kyu applicants shall demonstrate kendo basics with a motodachi (see kihon test)
  • all applicants requesting 3kyu and above shall perform kendo jitsugi for their examination; grading will be based on the official SCKF ranking criteria
  • 4dan applicants shall perform kirikaeshi (striking and receiving), in addition to kendo jitsugi

  • rules for requesting ranks (see criteria for full details):

    rank   min age   min time in practice
    ----   -------   ---------------------------------------------------
    6kyu      8       6 months practice
    5kyu      9       6 months practice as 6kyu or 6 months practice
    4kyu     10       6 months practice as 5kyu or 12 months practice
    3kyu     11       6 months practice as 4kyu
    2kyu     12       6 months practice as 3kyu
    1kyu     13       6 months practice as 2kyu
    1dan     14       6 months practice as 1kyu
    2dan      -      12 months practice as 1dan
    3dan      -      24 months practice as 2dan
    4dan      -      36 months practice as 3dan

    "Time in practice" assumes the kenshi is practicing regularly, eg keiko at least once or twice per week

  • shinsa fees
    • $20 kyu (both youth and adults)
    • $30 1dan
    • $40 2dan
    • $45 3dan
    • $50 4dan

    SCKF also charges a $20 "no show" (failure to participate) fee that will be assessed to the dojo if their kenshi signed up but is unable to participate in the shinsa (includes cancellation less than 7 days prior to the shinsa, as well as missing sign in).

  • written tests are required for everyone requesting 1kyu and above.
    • see the AUSKF written tests (pdf)
    • tests must be turned in at sign-in time
    • tests must include name, participant number, requested rank, and dojo
    • tests must be submitted in English only

  • see other shinsa testing notes below

• tentative schedule for kenshi
  see also court assignments and schedule sheet (pdf)
  • 9:00am: court set up by shinsa personnel
  • 9:45am: start sign-in
    • you must be dressed in keikogi and hakama and bring your tare when you sign in
      • a label with your participant number will be applied to the center flap of your tare (remove your nafuda)
      • note: keikogi and hakama should not show markings (eg dojo patch, team logo, or slogans). If present, they will be taped over.
    • those testing for 1kyu and above must turn in completed written tests at sign-in (see written test notes)
    • plan to arrive early so you can complete sign-in well before it closes
    • follow the directions of the sign in team for when and where warm ups will be allowed
    • applicants requesting 6kyu and 5kyu test at the dojo, not at the shinsa
  • 10:30am: sign-in closes all divisions
    • if you are late you will not be able to participate in the shinsa, plus there will be an additional fee
  • 10:50am: all applicants assemble in assigned courts
    • 4kyu bring men and shinai and line them up on the floor according to participant number
    • all participants (all divisions) line up in rows inside your respective courts facing the examiner tables for opening rei
  • 11:00am: opening ceremony
    • all participants (all divisions) line up in rows in your respective courts facing the examiner tables for opening rei
  • 11:05am: start kendo portion of shinsa
  • 1:30pm: start kata portion of shinsa
  • 2:30pm: end shinsa (note: there will not be a results meeting)

  Shinsa officials: see duty schedule

• shinsa testing
  • kendo
    • be at your court BEFORE your division starts. Even if you signed in before the deadline, if you are not in place before your division performs opening rei, you will not be allowed to participate.
    • follow the instructions of the tachiai on your court
    • each applicant for 4kyu will demonstrate basic skills (kihon test) with a motodachi provided by SCKF (you will be in full bogu, which you must put on by yourself)
    • each applicant for 3kyu and above will perform kendo jitsugi with two other applicants requesting the same rank
    • for 1dan and above, use the 2-person rei procedure to begin and end jitsugi
    • each applicant for 4dan will also do kirikaeshi at the beginning of each jitsugi, once striking and once receiving
    • remain at your court until all participants in your division finish testing, at which time your division will perform closing rei
    • for those requesting 1kyu and above ranks: after your division is done, stay together near your court The kendo test results will be tallied and announced by the shinsa coordinator, who will then record the participant numbers for kata partners.
      • only those who have passed the kendo portion will perform kata
      • if you lack a kata partner, you will be paired with someone who also lacks a partner
      • if there is an odd number of kenshi, one kenshi will do kata twice (the second performance does not count)
      • if you are absent when the kata pairings are recorded, you will be assigned a partner
  • kata
    • each applicant requesting 1 kyu or higher must be prepared to perform kata in front of the board of examiners. Note: #8 through #10 use the kodachi (short sword).
      • 1 kyu: #1 through #3
      • 1 dan: #1 through #5
      • 2 dan: #1 through #7
      • 3 dan: #1 through #10
      • 4 dan: #1 through #10
    • kata pairings were recorded at the completion of kendo jitsugi (see kendo section above)
    • you will have at least 15 minutes to practice prior to the kata test
      • each applicant must be able to perform both the uchidachi and shidachi roles
      • uchidachi/shidachi roles will be randomly assigned (you will be notified when your turn comes on the court)
    • if you make a mistake performing one of the kata, you may request to redo it. After finishing the entire kata sequence and performing closing reiho, make your request (specifying which one kata you wish to redo) to the tachiai, who will pass on your request to the examiners. The examination board shall not request any repeats.
  • see sample evaluation forms for both kendo and kata

• tentative schedule for shinsa officials
  • notation: E=examiners, C=court coordinators, T=tachiai, A=announcer/timer

     time   ECTA  description
    ------  ----  -----------------------------------------------------------
     8:45    CTA  set up (courts, dressing area, sign in, etc)
     9:00    CTA  coordinator/tachiai/announcer meeting
     9:45    CTA  start sign in, collect written exams, tape keikogi markings
     9:45   E     examiners meeting
    10:30    CTA  close sign in
    10:35   ECTA  court meetings: adjust groups for absences, all divisions
    10:45    CT   line up 4kyu groups in numerical order
    10:55    CT   line up for opening rei (all applicants for the day)
    11:00   ECTA  start shinsa
    12:30   ECTA  lunch break
     1:30   ECTA  start kata
     2:30         end shinsa
    

• the list of examiners and volunteers below is alphabetical (also see list by dojo)

  notes for examiners and volunteers

  • Examiners:
    Please wear coat and tie (not identical to shinpan uniform).
    Arima K (STYO), Huh K (CHUO), Kato T (COV), Park J (IRV), Shikai M (CHUO), Shinada S (ALH), Shoraku T (CM), Takahashi K (CM), Yamasaki J (PCI) Yang D (TOR), Yuge T (TOR)
    Please review the SCKF shinsa regulations, shinsa criteria, and evaluation sheet samples

  • Court coordinators:
    Please wear plain polo or dress shirt and slacks
    Olson B (IS), Honda W (VEN)

  • Announcer/timers:
    Please wear plain polo or dress shirt and slacks
    Hamamura Y (NOR), Morioka J (CHUO)

  • Tachiai:
    Please wear keikogi and hakama
    Bae J (IRV), Dong A (CM), Inouye J (VEN), Kil S (CHUO), Liu K (STYO), Maekawa Y (OCB), Matsumoto W (GED), Nguyen E (NOR), Sunwoo E (CHUO), Wang T (CHUO),

  • Motodachi:
    Please wear keikogi, hakama, and bogu
    Dong A (CM), Kil S (CHUO), Matsumoto W (GED), Nguyen E (NOR)

  • Other:
    Kodama J (NOR): head coordinator
    Fu L (NOR): assistant coordinator

  • Everyone please read the duty notes for a brief summary of everyone's duties

Onegaishimasu!