Hi everyone,

I'm not a kendoka but I'd like to know if any of you can help me with understanding the ranking system in Kendo.

What I [think I] know is that Kendo has a similar ranking system as in Karate (10 kyus, dans and so on). What I want to know is that how fast do you advance in grades?

I'm asking this because I have a few friends in kendo and I just want to make sure they haven't gone into like a mcdojo or anything. They started half a year ago and are now already 4th kyu. One of them told me that by summer, they will be Ikyu, which is quite surprising because in Karate, it took me 2 and a half years to get 5th kyu.

Please don't misjudge my comment as being jealousy or anything, I simply want to know if the ranking system does make them advance faster (different value than in karate) or if they have stumbled into a not very serious kendo dojo.

Some info: they train 2 times a week, 2 hours each, so it's not like they are doing world competition level training. They only bought a shinai and the dojo lends them the hakama, gi and bogu.

thanks in advance

EDIT: After a little bit of research, I actually found that Kendo only has 6 kyus. Sorry for my ignorance. Do they still advance as fast?

I believe that, like judo, kendo's rank system allows for a sudden jump of multiple ranks in the event that a significantly lower rank demonstrates the ability to consistently defeat higher-ranked kendoka in tournaments. That might be what happened.

Oh, ok I wasn't aware of that. From my knowledge everyone in that class had to pass an exam and about 90% of them jumped a grade. I doubt that it has to do with tournaments.

Thank you anyways! =)

This might be of some help to you....

Rules for Requesting Ranks

1. Kenshi must be currently training in full bogu. This includes those requesting youth 6 kyu, youth 5 kyu, and adult 4 kyu. These groups do not participate at the shinsa purely as a time saving measure, but they should be capable of doing so.

2. 12 years and older cannot request 6 kyu

3. 14 years and older cannot request 6 kyu or 5 kyu

4. Kyu requests may include "plus" or "minus", e.g. 6+ kyu or 5- kyu

5. To request 1 dan must be 1 kyu and 14 years or older

6. To request 2 dan must be 1 dan for at least 1 year (12 months)

7. To request 3 dan must be 2 dan for at least 2 year (24 months)

8. To request 4 dan must be 3 dan for at least 3 year (36 months)

Recommended Guidelines for Requesting Ranks

1. Kenshi should be actively practicing kendo (regularly attending keiko at least once or twice a week)

2. Avoid "skipping" more than one rank or at most two rank levels, (for example, avoid 0 kyu requesting 2 kyu or 1 kyu) except in extremely rare circumstances.

3. Avoid "throwing the decision to the examiners". The responsibility of the dojo's head instructor and advisors is to make a diligent assessment of the kenshi's attitude and sincerity in practicing kendo, as well as their skill level relative to other kenshi in the federation, and request a rank appropriately.

4, Although the rules state that a kenshi requesting a rank who is 14 years or older must request 4 kyu or higher, this does not mean a kenshi 14 and older must request a rank. The head instructor should determine whether the kenshi has sufficient experience to warrant a rank of 4 kyu, or whether to keep the kenshi at 0 kyu.

Oh thanks! =D Seems it was wrong to compare the ranking systems. I just wanted to clarify things because their dojo seemed pretty good. I even might take up kendo. It would be awesome to learn how to handle a weapon as an extension of the body as opposed to only using the body.

Thank you for your insight.