Shotokan testing...

[seratt]

First post here. I'm up pretty late tonight and came across this forum on google. =)

So, question. Traditional shotokan guys, who does your tests?

Let me elaborate.

In my old dojo, my sensei was a 5th dan jka, and we had two other testers who were mma and tkd. (Very odd yes, but all the same, we tested locally under those who we trained with every day.)

In my current dojo (skif), we test in a parent school about 1.5 hours away. This may be because my sensei (3rd dan?), is the only black belt, and he may want others opinions. At the same time, I feel like I would very much prefer to test locally. Even if it is only him.

Opinions?

[Killer Miller]

In JKA, Sandan can test you up to Black Belt. But most dojos prefer to test at the regional headquarters. Sometimes, you can have the test come to your location if you have enough people testing to pay the testing fees - there is an extra testing fee to come to a specific location.

It's just primarily a support and administrative issue. A lot of dojos don't want to mess with the administrative part of testing - let the headquarters deal with all those issues... I would do the same thing...

- Killer -

[seratt]

In JKA, Sandan can test you up to Black Belt. But most dojos prefer to test at the regional headquarters. Sometimes, you can have the test come to your location if you have enough people testing to pay the testing fees - there is an extra testing fee to come to a specific location.

It's just primarily a support and administrative issue. A lot of dojos don't want to mess with the administrative part of testing - let the headquarters deal with all those issues... I would do the same thing...

- Killer -

Thanks Killer, I never knew that was the norm.

Good to know though. I wasn't planning on bringing it up with my Sensei, but I definitely won't now. I know a couple of other students who are unhappy about not testing locally, but I'll inform them of this next time it's brought up.

[Killer Miller]

There's nothing wrong with inquiring about what it would take to have a local test. If we would have 30-50 testing, we would schedule a local test - they still have to deal with the administrative issues, but there would be enough to test to cover the travel and appearance fees.

Remember, with local testing fees, there is also Lunch, Dinner, etc... Can get a little pricy some times if you're running a tight budget for a dojo.

- Killer -

[Kruczek]

When I tested for my first degree, the head of the style came to our dojo and tested 5 of us (3 shodan tests and 2 nidan tests).

The rule was ONLY he could test black belt ranks, but as I have been in longer and longer I have seen it done as killer said. 3rd will test up to 1st, 5th up to 3rd, 7th to 5th, and after 5th you are dealing with someone way up at the top.

A side note, when I tested it was $150 for each shodan and $225 for each nidan, and that was to pay for travel expenses and such for the hanshi.

[tori]

I am glad we are not affiliated with JKA for alot of reasons and this is one of them. Too much politics. My instructor tests us in our dojo. Very convenient and he knows us and what we are capable of doing.

[Killer Miller]

I'm not sure what you are implying about JKA affiliations and politics? JKA is a fantastic organization. What I stated about testing had zero (0) to do with politics - it's strictly a business and financial decision for one's dojo, and to minimize testing costs. It's easier to have students test at a central or regional dojo... If a dojo wants to have it's student's rank recognized by a national/international organization, there are administrative costs to make that happen. I don't know of any national or international organization, regardless of the sport or art, that wouldn't do that. In order to stay a national and international governing body, there are business and operating costs involved. And all affiliated clubs should feel good about supporting that initiative. And that's exactly what I'm talking about here. I'm not saying that the Sandan can't test his students up to black belt, but that he chose not to for the reasons I explained.

- Killer -

I am glad we are not affiliated with JKA for alot of reasons and this is one of them. Too much politics. My instructor tests us in our dojo. Very convenient and he knows us and what we are capable of doing.

[bushido_man96]

I agree with Killer, to an extent. There is nothing wrong with being part of an organization. Benefits include standardization of technique and requirements, and availability of higher ranks to promote, along with certification within the organization as you get promoted.

[granitemiller]

There are good benefits with belonging to a large organization, and I think it is necessary if you are looking to further your own rank, promote the school and standardize.

However, there are also many benefits to a small school or organization. The comfort of a small community, your sensei knows everyone, and you have a tight knit group.

Some negative aspects of a small organization is that you may not have the ability to grow in martial arts as you are limited in the number or resources you have available.

A negative aspect of a large organization is complacency. While I know that not all JKA dojos are like this, I do remember visiting one where the head instructor was so full of himself, yet he completely mispronounced nearly every Japanese word he attempted (I am fluent in Japanese), and the katas I saw were no where near the level I expected (mistakes, add-ons).

So I think the bottom line is that first: go to a school that you are comfortable in (big or small), and then after you have reached your Shodan, you may want to branch out if you are really interested in having a full and rich martial arts education and experience.

[Killer Miller]

Over the years granitemiller, I have seen instructors to claim they were JKA, when in fact they only participated in a few classes or seminars and then make the claim they are JKA. Gives us a bad name. Also, I've seen others that pay all the affiliation fees and become a JKA affiliate - and yet have no similance what so ever to JKA.

Example, I used to go to summer camp every year, and there would be a group up north that wasn't that great for the most part, thought they could walk on water and that everyone had to praise the ground they walked on. They were a JKA affiliate group, yet had a slight similance to JKA techniques, but a very large group and provided good financial support to JKA USA. At summer camp, it was like training was split into two halves, they're cherished and worshiped training, and ours.

But is not anything new to JKA, it happens with all organizations out there. It just comes down to the instructor. Bottom line is, if it looks right and is good for you, then go for it...

- Killer -