• dojo application forms have been uploaded to each dojo's google drive "from_sckf" folder
  • "X" indicates a kenshi is not eligible to test at this shinsa
  • however, please note that the absence of an "X" does not guarantee the kenshi is eligible. Please review the shinsa regulations for eligiblity rules.
  • even if a kenshi is technically eligible, that does not mean they are ready to test. Head instructors please review the testing criteria.
• applications are due 4/6 (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 applicant
• per the SCKF promotional examination regulations (approved 12/1/2018), 4dan applicants must also have participated in both kata and shinpan seminars within the last 2 years. Attendance lists are posted for the following:
  • 2/24/19 shinpan seminar
  • 2/25/18 shinpan seminar
  • 7/08/18 kata seminar
  • 8/27/17 kata 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

• requires approval and signature of your regional federation on the above form
• also need their signature on the AUSKF "Affiliate Organization Exam Request" form from the AUSKF documents page
• please also be sure to get approval from your dojo head instructor

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

• 2-person rei procedure for yudansha applicants
• kihon test for 4kyu applicants

• 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
• 6kyu and 5kyu applicants test at the dojo, not at the shinsa

• 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

• 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
• 10:55am: 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
• 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

• see sample evaluation forms for both kendo and kata
• 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.
  • if you do not pass the kata portion of the exam, you may retake the kata test once. This must be done within a 12-month period to avoid retaking the kendo jitsugi and written test portions of the shinsa (see SCKF shinsa regulations). You will need to pay the normal shinsa application fee. Be sure to specify on your dojo's application form that you are taking only the kata portion of the test.

• notation: E=examiners, C=court coordinators, T=tachiai

   time   ECT  description
  ------  ---  -----------------------------------------------------------
   8:45    CT  set up (courts, dressing area, sign in, etc)
   9:00    CT  coordinator/tachiai meeting
   9:45    CT  start sign in, collect written exams, tape keikogi markings
   9:45   E    examiners meeting
  10:30    CT  close sign in
  10:35   ECT  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   ECT  start shinsa
  12:30   ECT  lunch break
   1:30   ECT  start kata
   2:30        end shinsa
  

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

• *Court coordinators (also does announcer/timer):
  Please wear plain polo or dress shirt and slacks
  Honda W (LOS), Kawai K (JCI)

• *Tachiai:
  Please wear keikogi and hakama
  Kikunaga H (SD), Mizobe K (STYO), Van Zutphen C (CM)

• *Motodachi (and tachiai):
  Please wear keikogi, hakama, and bogu
  Ma J (COV), Dong A (CM), Liu K (STYO)

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

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

• *=Court coordinators and tachiai please also help with sign in

Onegaishimasu!

• your shinsa application (sa) form can be found in your dojo's "from_sckf" google drive folder with the name doj_190420_sa.xls, where "doj" is your dojo's abbreviation
• download the file and edit it per the instructions given above
• upload the completed form to your dojo's "to_sckf" google drive folder with the same name (doj_190420_sa.xls). Do not change the file format (keep it an Excel 2000 xls file).
• have your dojo head instructor sign the shinsa application cover letter, scan it, and upload it to your dojo's "to_sckf" google driver folder with the name doj_190420_letter.pdf (jpg is also ok)
• email Jean Kodama when the files have been uploaded
• mail or otherwise arrange to deliver your check to Jean Kodama so it is turned in by the application deadline

• a menjo printing request will be sent to AUSKF shortly after the shinsa
  • menjo will be printed with names as submitted on the shinsa application form
• shinsa results and menjo fees will be sent to each dojo shortly after the shinsa
  • make check payable to Southern California Kendo Federation (not abbreviated "SCKF").
  • due date is 4/31/19 (to Jean Kodama)